Name

Date

Independent and
Subordinate Clauses
An independent clause
or main clause expresses
a complete thought. It can
stand alone as a sentence.
A subordinate clause or
dependent clause does
not express a complete
thought. It cannot stand
alone as a complete
sentence.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE If
you want to reduce waste, a
recycling program is a
good idea.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
If you want to reduce
waste, a recycling
program is a good idea.
Exercise
Identify the
underlined clause in each of
the following sentences.
W
r
i
t
e
S
U
B
f
o
r
s
u
b
o
r

dinate
clause and
IND for
dependen
t clause.

ksheetLi
om

SUB
Example: Because our school throws away so
much paper, we should start a recycling program.
1. Every day teachers throw away hundred of
sheets of paper that they should be recycling.
2. Since landfills are getting full, our school
doesn't need to be contributing to the problem.
3. If our teachers recycled in their classrooms, it
would set a good example for students.
4. Students who may never see an example of
recycling at home could learn about it.
5. Once these students learn to recycle, they
can show their family how to do it.
6. If every student taught their family to recycle,
it would reduce the waste going to landfills.
7. If you model recycling in your neighborhood,
more neighbors will join in and start recycling.
8. Although you may only think of recycling
paper, many other items can be recycled.
9. Some communities recycle glass and plastic
which must be put in separate bins.
10. Make sure you rinse out containers that you
recycle so you won't attract bugs.
11. Ask you local waste management company if
they have special bins for each kind of waste.
12. Before you know it, you will place your waste
in the recycling bin without even thinking.

w
w
w.
W
or

Name

Date

Independent and
Subordinate Clauses
An independent clause or
main clause expresses a
complete thought. It can
stand alone as a sentence.
A subordinate clause or
dependent clause does
not express a complete
thought. It cannot stand
alone as a complete
sentence.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE If
you want to reduce waste, a
recycling program is a
good idea.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
If you want to reduce
waste, a recycling program
is a good idea.
Exercise
Identify the
underlined clause in each of
the following sentences.
Write SUB for
subordinate
clause and IND
for dependent
clause.
SUB
Example: Because our school
throws away so much paper, we
should start a recycling program.
SUB
1. Every day teachers throw
away hundred of sheets of
paper that they should be
recycling.

IND
2. Since landfills are getting
full, our school doesn't need to

be contributing to the problem.

SUB
3. If our teachers recycled in their classrooms, it
would set a good example for students.
SUB
4. Students who may never see an example of
recycling at home could learn about it.
IN
D
5. Once these students learn to recycle, they
can show their family how to do it.
SUB
6. If every student taught their family to recycle,
it would reduce the waste going to landfills.
IN
D
7. If you model recycling in your neighborhood,
more neighbors will join in and start recycling.
IN
D
8. Although you may only think of recycling
paper, many other items can be recycled.
S
U
B
9. Some communities recycle glass and plastic
which must be put in separate bins.
IND
10. Make sure you rinse out containers that you
recycle so you won't attract bugs.

11. Ask you local waste management company if

they have special bins for each kind of waste.
SUB
12. Before you know it, you will place your waste
in the recycling bin without even thinking.

w
w
w.
W
or
ks
he
et
Li
br
ar
y.c
o
m

S
U
B