Dependent Clauses
What is a dependent clause?
—  Before
we discuss a dependent clause,
let’s look at the word “dependent.”
—  If
you depend upon someone, what does
that mean?
—  What happens if you depend upon
someone, and they don’t follow through?
Dependent Clause
—  So, to
depend upon someone or
something means that you cannot act in
isolation – you NEED help.
—  That’s
what a dependent clause is,
truthfully.
—  It
cannot stand alone as its own sentence,
because it depends upon something else
to give it meaning.
Independent Clause
—  A
dependent clause relies on an independent
clause for meaning.
—  An
independent clause is a clause that can
stand on its own as a sentence because it
has a complete thought expressed.
—  A
dependent clause does not express a
complete thought (it depends upon the
independent clause).
Example
—  Let’s
look at an independent clause:
The book is heavy.
This is a complete thought. It is expressed
in an independent clause.
Example
—  Now, let’s
look at a dependent clause:
Because there are many pages
This is not a complete thought. Typically,
when you read a dependent clause, you
are left asking questions.
Example
—  Which
clauses below are independent?
Which are dependent?
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
My brother is ugly
Because my brother is ugly
Although my brother is ugly
Our parents still love him
Since my brother is ugly
I dislike my brother
Example
—  How
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
did you do?
My brother is ugly (INDEPENDENT)
Because my brother is ugly (DEPENDENT)
Although my brother is ugly
(DEPENDENT)
Our parents still love him
(INDEPENDENT)
Since my brother is ugly (DEPENDENT)
I dislike my brother (INDEPENDENT)
AWUBIS
—  An
easy way to identify dependent clauses
is that many of them contain the AWUBIS
words.
—  Look on your handout for the AWUBIS
list.
—  We’re going to be using this list for our
dependent clauses.
Dependent Clauses
—  We
can add dependent clauses to sentences
to answer questions, or to add information.
—  Let’s
look at the independent clause of:
I came to school today.
Dependent Clauses
—  Look
at your AWUBIS words. Which
ones can you use to add information to:
I came to school today.
After I ate breakfast, I came to school
today.
I came to school today although the
weather is bad.
As fast as I could, I came to school today.
Let’s try another…
Try this independent clause:
My hair is wet.
Can you use all AWUBIS words to add
dependent clauses to this sentence?
Composition Book Setup
—  Now
that you’ve got the hang of AWUBIS
and Dependent clauses, let’s set up your
composition books.
—  On
the first page, write AWUBIS, MY
EXAMPLES. At the bottom right corner
of each page, start numbering the pages.
Next…on a brand new page…
—  Now
that you have started your
composition book setup, I am going to
read you something. Please do not
interrupt while I am reading.
—  I will read this piece to you twice, so
listen carefully each time.
First Composition Book Entry
—  You
are to respond in writing (at least 7
sentences) to this prompt:
Describe a time when you either felt
left out or different from the crowd.
What caused this to happen? How did
you react? Did this event change your
opinion about how people should treat
others?
Prompt
—  When
you are writing, I am going to ask
you to include TWO sentences using
AWUBIS words and dependent clauses.
Please UNDERLINE these dependent
clauses so that I can identify them quickly.
—  When
you are finished, please raise your
hand and remain quiet until I can come
and check your writing.
Reminders:
Describe a time when you either felt left out
or different from the crowd. What caused
this to happen? How did you react? Did
this event change your opinion about how
people should treat others?
At least seven sentences
TWO dependent clauses using AWUBIS
words (underline them)
Raise hand when done; remain quiet