Phrases & Clauses Worksheet for 9-Year-Olds — Dependent vs. Independent Clauses (English & Social Studies)

Instructions

Today, we are going to be sentence detectives! We will learn about the building blocks of sentences. Some groups of words are phrases, which are just small parts of an idea. Other groups of words are clauses, which have a subject (who or what) and a verb (the action).

• A phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb pair. Example: in the library.
• A clause is a group of words that HAS a subject-verb pair. Example: the librarian reads.

There are two types of clauses:

1. Independent Clause: This is a "superstar" clause! It's a complete thought and can be a sentence all by itself. Example: The mail carrier delivers letters.
2. Dependent Clause: This is a "sidekick" clause. It is NOT a complete thought and cannot be a sentence by itself. It often starts with a special word like because, since, when, if, or after. Example: because it was raining.

Part 1: Phrase or Clause?

Read each group of words below. Is it a small part of an idea (Phrase) or does it have a subject and a verb (Clause)? Write your answer on the line.

1. the paramedic arrived quickly _______________
2. in a big, yellow bus _______________
3. since the chef cooked dinner _______________
4. with a heavy backpack _______________
5. the crossing guard helps _______________
6. under the tall building _______________

Part 2: Superstar or Sidekick?

Read each sentence. Look at the underlined clause. Is it a complete thought that can stand alone (Independent) or a sidekick that needs more information (Dependent)? Write your answer on the line.

1. The police officer patrolled the neighborhood, after she started her shift. _______________
2. The construction worker built a new house with help from her team. _______________
3. Because the librarian organized the books, it was easy to find a good story. _______________
4. I want to be a farmer when I grow up. _______________
5. The veterinarian helped the sick cat feel better. _______________
6. We thanked the bus driver since he got us to school safely. _______________

Part 3: Build a Community Sentence!

The "sidekick" clauses below need a "superstar" to make a complete sentence! Finish each sentence by adding an independent clause.

1. Because the firefighter was brave, _____________________________________________________.
2. When the teacher explained the lesson, ____________________________________________________.
3. After the sanitation worker emptied the cans, _________________________________________________.

Answer Key

Part 1: Phrase or Clause?

1. Clause
2. Phrase
3. Clause
4. Phrase
5. Clause
6. Phrase

Part 2: Superstar or Sidekick?

1. Dependent
2. Independent
3. Dependent
4. Dependent
5. Independent
6. Dependent

Part 3: Build a Community Sentence!

(Answers will vary. The goal is for the student to add a complete thought.)

1. Example Answer: Because the firefighter was brave, she rescued the kitten from the tree.
2. Example Answer: When the teacher explained the lesson, I understood the math problem.
3. Example Answer: After the sanitation worker emptied the cans, our street was much cleaner.