Grammar 88
Identifying Independent and
Subordinate Clauses
ENGLISH 11
PERNOON
Identifying Independent and Subordinate Clauses
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.
A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not
express a complete thought.
Subordinate clauses often begin with introductory words such as:
Who, Which, That, Because, When, While
Example:
Because he wanted to show that slaves were intelligent, Douglass wrote his
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Exercise: Identifying Independent and Subordinate
Clauses
Write the subject and the verb of each independent clause in the
sentences below. Then underline each subordinate clause.
1.  Thomas Auld thought that Douglass had been spoiled as a
house slave.
2.  Auld sent him to Mr. Covey, who was known for his cruelty to
slaves.
3.  Douglass was very awkward because he had never driven
oxen.
4.  Since the cart had been smashed, Covey whipped Douglass
severely.
Exercise: Identifying Independent and Subordinate
Clauses
5.  While Covey fed his slaves, he gave them only a few minutes to eat.
6.  Douglass wrote that they usually worked from dawn until midnight.
7.  Covey spied on the spot where the slaves were working.
Answers
1.  Thomas Auld thought that Douglass had been spoiled as a house
slave. (Thomas Auld thought)
2.  Auld sent him to Mr. Covey, who was known for his cruelty to
slaves. (Auld sent)
3.  Douglass was very awkward because he had never driven oxen.
(Douglass was)
4.  Since the cart had been smashed, Covey whipped Douglass
severely. (Covey whipped)
Answers
5.  While Covey fed his slaves, he gave them only a few minutes to
eat. (he gave)
6.  Douglass wrote that they usually worked from dawn until midnight.
(Douglass wrote)
7.  Covey spied on the spot where the slaves were working. (Covey
spied)