What is the difference between dependent and independent clauses

So, Rosie, what is a dependent clause? So it includes a subject and a verb, but it can't be its own sentence. And sometimes it might look like a sentence, it could start with something like a subordinating conjunction, like the word because, for example, because it was delicious.

And let's be clear here, you know, obviously, this is an utterance that people say. You know, if you ask me why did you eat the pizza, I would respond by saying, because it was delicious. Why do we climb the mountain? Because it is there, you know.

I'm not saying that this is not, not an utterance that is made by native speaking English speakers. It is, of course it is. But you have to be aware that it is a dependent clause and therefore a sentence fragment. And part of natural informal speech is that we do use a lot of sentence fragments. And sentence fragments are not as common in formal writing. You may sometimes use them for effect, but I want you to remember that these videos are about standard American English, and a kind of formal version of standard American English.

And so, we're trying to teach you to distinguish between independent and dependent clauses so that you can use them skillfully in the full knowledge and mastery of your choices. You gotta learn your scales before you can improvise. This is a dependent clause, because it begins with this subordinating conjunction because. You could also work in something like although, or while, and any of these would make it a dependent clause.

Now, if it was just on its own, it was delicious, yeah, of course, that is a sentence. The part that makes it dependent is this subordinating conjunction.

You put that onto the front of it and all of a sudden it needs an independent clause to lean up against. I know this is confusing, so let's take a look at a couple more examples of independent and dependent clauses.

So, the following are independent clauses, Rosie. Maureen pointed out the monster. That's not our pet rabbit. The best way to identify a dependent clause is to ask yourself if the clause expresses a complete thought. If it does not, the clause is dependent. For example, "When I was running" only contains a partial idea.

Look for other dependent marker words at the fronts of sentences to identify them, such as "when," "because" and "although. An independent clause is a complete thought that contains a subject and verb, and expresses an entire idea.

Independent clauses do not depend on other clauses to function and thus stand alone in sentences. For example, "I decided to go for a morning jog along the beach.

Love words? Need even more definitions? Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'? How 'literally' can mean "figuratively". Literally How to use a word that literally drives some pe Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'. Take the quiz. Our Favorite New Words How many do you know?