The assignment is about dependent and independent clauses. I understand the difference between them, but I don't understand what the connecting word is. Here are the sentences:

While she is looking for birds, she also picks up special shells. When she walks near the ocean, tiny crabs move across the sand.
It seems like while and when should be the connecting words.

You're right! :-)

WHILE and WHEN are the connecting words. If you reverse the order of the dependent and independent clauses, you'll see how these words connect the two clauses.

Yes, those are the connecting words. They are both conjunctions.

Thanks Ms. Sue!

You're correct that "while" and "when" are indeed connecting words in the sentences you provided. "While" connects the dependent clause "While she is looking for birds" with the independent clause "she also picks up special shells." Similarly, "when" connects the dependent clause "When she walks near the ocean" with the independent clause "tiny crabs move across the sand."

In general, dependent clauses are incomplete sentences that rely on an independent clause to make a complete thought. They often begin with subordinating conjunctions like "while," "when," "because," "if," etc. These subordinating conjunctions help to connect the dependent clause with the main or independent clause.

To identify the connecting word in a sentence and distinguish between dependent and independent clauses, here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Identify the subject and verb in each part of the sentence. The subject is the main noun or pronoun that performs the action, and the verb is the action word.

2. Determine if each part of the sentence can stand alone as a complete thought. If it can, then it is an independent clause. If it cannot, then it is a dependent clause.

3. Look for subordinating conjunctions or connecting words like "while," "when," "because," "if," etc. These connecting words often introduce dependent clauses.

4. Remember that dependent clauses rely on the independent clause to create a complete thought. It's helpful to think of them as "incomplete" thoughts that need the support of the independent clause.

By following these steps, you can easily identify the connecting words and differentiate between dependent and independent clauses in sentences.