Independent clause writing activity!

What is an Independent Clause?

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Understanding Subjects and Verbs

• The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It is usually a noun (a word that names a person, place, or thing).
• The verb is the action or state of being in the sentence.

Examples:

• I (subject) love (verb) reading books.
• The sun (subject) shines (verb) brightly.
• We (subject) went (verb) to the park.

Part 1: Identifying Independent Clauses

Read each sentence below. If the sentence is an independent clause, write “Independent Clause.” If it is not, write “Not an Independent Clause.”

1. Because it was raining. Not an independent clause
2. She danced gracefully.  Independent clause
3. Although I was tired. Not an independent clause
4. We played soccer after school. Independent clause
5. Running through the forest. Independent clause

Part 2: Completing the Sentences

Each sentence below is missing an independent clause. Complete the sentence so that it contains an independent clause.

1. Even though I was sleepy, I went to the park to play with my friends. 
2. Since we finished our homework, we went to eat at a restaurant.
3. After the game, we cheered happily because we won.
4. Before the sun sets, we go outside to film dances. 
5. Unless it rains we won’t go to the sports tournament.
6. Part 3: Identifying Subjects and Verbs

Underline the subject and circle the verb in each independent clause below.

1. The dog barked loudly.
2. We ate lunch at noon.
3. My brother plays the guitar.
4. The teacher explained the lesson.
5. She wrote a letter to her friend.

 

 

Part 4: Combining Independent Clauses

Join the independent clauses below using a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to form a compound sentence.

1. I wanted to go outside and it started to rain.
2. She studied hard and she passed the test.
3. We went to the beach so we built a sandcastle.
4. The dog barked loudly nor the cat stayed asleep.
5. They trained every day. so they won the championship.

Part 5: Writing Your Own Sentences

Write three sentences that contain independent clauses. Try to make them interesting!

1.  The girl screamed loudly 
2.  The ground shakes violently
3. The boy ate a very yummy cake.

Bonus Challenge!
Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) using at least two independent clauses. Underline the independent clauses in your paragraph.

One day a little girl felt sleepy but still went to the park to play with her friends. After a while playing at the park the little girl went back home to shower. After her shower she went to go eat her very yummy dinner that her mum prepared for her. Then after eating she went to sleep for another repeat of today.