Directions: Please write or type the definitions in your own words for each word below.
PLEASE DO NOT COPY and PASTE.
Phrase -
Independent Clause -
Dependent Clause -
Simple Sentence -
Complex Sentence -
Compound Sentence -
Compound-Complex Sentence -
Phrase - A group of related words that does not contain both a subject and a predicate.
Independent Clause - A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought and contains both a subject and a predicate.
Dependent Clause - A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought and relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Simple Sentence - A sentence consisting of just one independent clause with a subject and a verb, expressing a complete thought.
Complex Sentence - A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, often linked by a subordinating conjunction.
Compound Sentence - A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses that are joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
Compound-Complex Sentence - A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses, providing a combination of compound and complex structures.
Directions: Read the following sentences. Then, underline the independent clause once and the dependent clause twice OR students may highlight the independent clauses in yellow and the dependent clauses in green.
1. My book, which has many pictures, has little text.
2. That cat, which is mine, is an Abyssinian.
3. When cats prowl at night, their eyes adjust to the dark.
4. Although wild cats often hunt at night, they prefer dusk or dawn.
5. Whereas Angora cats have long hair, Siamese cats have short hair.
1. My book, **which has many pictures**, has little text.
2. **That cat**, *which is mine*, is an Abyssinian.
3. **When cats prowl at night**, their eyes adjust to the dark.
4. **Although wild cats often hunt at night**, they prefer dusk or dawn.
5. **Whereas Angora cats have long hair**, Siamese cats have short hair.
Directions: Complete each of the following statements.
1. A ___________________ is a group of words with its own subject and verb.
2. A dependent clause is another name for the _______________ clause.
3. The two types of clauses are the ____________________clause and the
__________________ clause.
4. The ______________________ clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
5. The ______________________ clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought.
1. A **clause** is a group of words with its own subject and verb.
2. A dependent clause is another name for the **subordinate** clause.
3. The two types of clauses are the **independent** clause and the **dependent** clause.
4. The **independent** clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
5. The **dependent** clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought.
Which description defines a dependent clause?
A. It contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone.
B. It is a group of words containing a subject or a verb but not both
C. It can stand alone as a sentence
D. It expresses a complete thought.
Which choice best describes the function of phrases and clauses?
A. to ensure sentences are complete
B. to make conversations fun
C. to add detail and meaning
D. to express thoughts and ideas
Which characteristic describes an independent clause?
A. It includes a subject and a verb and can stand alone.
B. It expresses an incomplete thought.
C. It is a group of words containing a subject or a verb but not both.
D. It describes the action in a sentence and cannot stand alone.
The correct answers are:
1. A. It contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone.
2. C. to add detail and meaning
3. A. It includes a subject and a verb and can stand alone.
A simple sentence is one independent clause—a group of words that has a subject and a verb and can stand by itself as a complete thought.
Example: The dog chased the ball.
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses linked by a word such as and, but, or or.
Example: Mr. Roberts was a teacher, but he also coached soccer.
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses—a group of words that has a subject and a verb but is not a complete thought.
Example: Although he was a science teacher, Mr. Roberts also taught math.
Directions: Using the phrase provided below, write a sentence. THEN label your sentences by writing simple, compound, or complex in parentheses after each one.
Example: attended high school
Sentence using the phrase: My neighbor attended high school with my daughter, so they drove together each morning.
Sentence Type: Compound Sentence
1. liked to write poetry
Sentence using the phrase: _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Sentence Type: ___________________________
2. Although he was
Sentence using the phrase: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Sentence Type: ___________________________
3. played soccer for his school team
Sentence using the phrase: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Sentence Type: ___________________________
1. Sentence using the phrase: She liked to write poetry while sitting in the park.
Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
2. Sentence using the phrase: Although he was a talented musician, he decided to pursue a career in medicine.
Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
3. Sentence using the phrase: Mark played soccer for his school team and won the championship last year.
Sentence Type: Compound Sentence
Directions: Label each sentence below as simple, complex, compound, or compound-complex. You will only use each term only ONCE.
1. The players were nervous because they had never beaten the opposing team.
________________________________
2. When the teams left the field for halftime, the home team was winning, but the opposing team trailed by only one goal.
________________________________
3. The home team had the fans’ support, and families cheered from the stands.
________________________________
4. The fans went wild over every steal and goal during the game.