Dependent and independent clauses | Syntax | Khan Academy

Summary

This video lesson explores the difference between dependent and independent clauses in English grammar. Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences, containing a subject and a verb. Dependent clauses also have a subject and a verb but require an independent clause to form a complete sentence due to the presence of subordinating conjunctions like 'because' or 'while.' Through examples, the video highlights how recognizing and combining these clauses can improve writing skills, adding clarity and structure to sentences. The hosts emphasize mastering these concepts for effective writing.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dependent and independent clauses are important to understand for mastering grammar and improving writing skills.
• 📝 An independent clause is essentially a complete sentence with a subject and a verb, capable of standing on its own.
• 🍍 Example of an independent clause: 'I ate the pineapple.'
• 🔗 A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence due to the presence of a subordinating conjunction.
• ⚠️ Example of a dependent clause: 'Because it was delicious.' It requires an independent clause to make sense.
• 🎯 Dependent clauses often start with words like 'because,' 'while,' 'unless,' or 'although,' indicating they rely on additional context.
• 🗣️ Sentence fragments, often dependent clauses, are common in casual speech but should be used carefully in formal writing.
• 💡 Independent clauses provide the main information, while dependent clauses offer extra details or background.
• 📖 Combining independent and dependent clauses can create richer, more complex sentences, improving clarity and detail.
• 🧩 Recognizing and understanding the difference between these clauses allows writers to skillfully craft varied and impactful sentences.

Q & A

What is an independent clause?

An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a sentence. For example, 'I ate the pineapple.'

What makes a clause dependent?

A clause becomes dependent when it cannot stand alone as a sentence. It includes a subject and a verb but is introduced by a subordinating conjunction, such as 'because' or 'while.'

Can a dependent clause function as a sentence in informal speech?

Yes, in informal speech, people often use dependent clauses as standalone utterances. For example, 'Because it was delicious.' However, in formal writing, this would be considered a sentence fragment.

Why is it important to distinguish between independent and dependent clauses?

Understanding the difference allows for better control over sentence structure, making writing stronger and more varied. It helps writers use clauses effectively for clarity and style.

What role do subordinating conjunctions play in a dependent clause?

Subordinating conjunctions like 'because,' 'while,' or 'although' make a clause dependent by linking it to an independent clause, indicating that the clause is providing additional information.

How does the example 'because it was delicious' function in the script?

This example demonstrates a dependent clause. Although it contains a subject and a verb, the subordinating conjunction 'because' makes it dependent, meaning it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

What is a relative pronoun, and how does it affect a clause?

A relative pronoun, such as 'that' in 'that she saw last night,' makes a clause dependent by referring back to something in the independent clause, like 'the monster' in this example.

Can a dependent clause provide background information?

Yes, dependent clauses often provide additional or background information to the main action of the sentence. For example, 'while the salmon flopped' adds context to 'the bear roared.'

What is an example of combining independent and dependent clauses?

An example would be, 'The bear roared while the salmon flopped.' Here, 'The bear roared' is the independent clause, and 'while the salmon flopped' is the dependent clause providing extra information.

Why is 'unless I'm mistaken' a dependent clause?

'Unless I'm mistaken' is a dependent clause because it starts with the subordinating conjunction 'unless,' making it reliant on another clause for complete meaning, such as 'That's not our pet rabbit, unless I'm mistaken.'