Understanding Independent and Dependent Clauses

Khan Academy

This video provides a comprehensive grammar lesson on the fundamental differences between independent and dependent clauses. Through clear examples and real-time handwriting on a blackboard, the narrators explain that while both clause types contain a subject and a verb, only independent clauses can stand alone as complete sentences. The lesson breaks down the structure of a clause and demonstrates how adding elements like subordinating conjunctions transforms a complete sentence into a dependent fragment. The content explores specific grammatical markers that create dependency, such as the words "because," "although," "while," and "unless." It addresses the nuance between spoken English, where fragments are common and understood, and formal written English, which requires complete sentences. The video uses side-by-side comparisons to show how dependent clauses often act as background information or descriptors that must "lean" on an independent clause to make sense. For educators, this resource is excellent for tackling the common student problem of sentence fragments in writing. By explaining the "why" behind the rules—specifically looking at how subordinating conjunctions function—it moves beyond rote memorization to conceptual understanding. It is particularly useful for writing workshops, grammar instruction, and editing sessions to help students construct more complex, varied sentences with "vim and vigor."