Understanding the difference between independent and dependant clauses is key because these are the building blocks for good sentences.
Independent clauses
An independent clause makes sense without additional information. Combined with phrases or dependent clauses, it can form complex sentences. Alone, it is a simple sentence that expresses one complete thought.
Example: The assignment instructions need to be carefully analysed.
Dependent clauses
Dependent clauses only express part of an idea. They rely on other information in the sentence to provide meaning. Dependent clauses are used to expand on the main idea in a sentence.
Example:…so that you can address your assignment tasks properly.
Subordinate conjunctions
Subordinate conjunctions are the words that join independent and dependent clauses.
As well as joining clauses, the subordinate conjunction will indicate a time, place, or cause-and-effect relationship. It will also indicate which clause is more important.
Example: The assignment instructions need to be carefully analysed so that you can address your assignment tasks properly.
Other subordinate conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order that, than, that, though, unless and more.
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are used to link independent clauses (usually two).
Example: Use the marking guide to work out how many words to write for each section, and to check that you have answered all parts of the question.
“And” is a coordinating conjunction. This coordinating conjunction serves the function of addition, and it also allows more concise writing. Writing the two separate independent clauses as two sentences may have resulted in repetition.
Another important coordinating conjunction is “but”, which serves to show contrasting information.
Using the coordinating conjunction “and” as an example, you can join the following independent clauses together:
- Use the marking guide to work out how many words to write for each section.
- Use the marking guide to check that you have answered all parts of the question.
Use the marking guide to work out how many words to write for each section, and to check that you have answered all parts of the question.
Coordinating conjunctions include and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
