What are the dependent and independent clauses in the following sentences?
When the campfire was burning steadily, all the campers sat on the ground around it, and someone began to tell a scary story.
After he had been in the house for an hour or so, he began to hear strange noises, but they didn't frighten him
I'll be glad to check your answers.
When the campfire was burning steadily is dependent
All the campers sat on the ground around it
Independent
Someone began to tell a story
Independent
After he had been in the house for an hour or so
Dependent
He began to hear strange noises.
Independent
They didn't frighten him
Independent
What about the word but in this sentence?
The word "but" is a conjunction joining the two clauses of the compound sentence.
Are the other answers correct? Now I think he began to hear strange noises, but they didn't frighten him is a independent clause (just one and not two)
The other answers are correct. Your last example is two independent clauses.
To identify the dependent and independent clauses in the given sentences, we need to understand the difference between the two types of clauses.
- An independent clause is a group of words that forms a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
- A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a group of words that does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. It depends on the main clause to give it meaning.
Now let's analyze the sentences:
1. When the campfire was burning steadily, all the campers sat on the ground around it, and someone began to tell a scary story.
- Independent clause: All the campers sat on the ground around it, and someone began to tell a scary story.
- Dependent clause: When the campfire was burning steadily.
The dependent clause "When the campfire was burning steadily" introduces the condition or time frame for the actions that happened in the independent clause.
2. After he had been in the house for an hour or so, he began to hear strange noises, but they didn't frighten him.
- Independent clause: He began to hear strange noises, but they didn't frighten him.
- Dependent clause: After he had been in the house for an hour or so.
The dependent clause "After he had been in the house for an hour or so" sets the time frame for when the actions described in the independent clause occurred.
Remember that dependent clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences because they do not convey a full thought.