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Clauses and Phrases: Independent vs. Dependent — Grade 6

Grade 6 worksheet that develops skills in identifying independent clauses, dependent clauses, and phrases within complex sentences and fixing fragments.

Understanding the difference between a clause and a phrase — and between an independent clause and a dependent one — is one of the most important steps a writer takes in Grade 6. A phrase contributes meaning to a sentence but cannot stand alone because it lacks either a subject or a finite verb. A dependent clause has both a subject and a verb, yet it still cannot stand alone because a subordinating word ties it to a main idea. When students confuse these three structures, they produce fragments and run-on sentences that undermine their ideas. This worksheet moves from recognition to repair: students first locate dependent clauses in sentences, then choose correct labels, then fix errors, and finally write their own sentences.

Clauses and Phrases: Independent vs. Dependent — Grade 6

Read each sentence carefully before you begin. Each section has its own directions — follow them exactly.

Remember

  • An independent clause has a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought on its own.
  • A dependent clause has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone — it begins with a subordinating word like 'because,' 'although,' or 'who.'
  • A phrase is a group of related words without both a subject and a finite verb — for example, 'in the morning' or 'running quickly.'

Part A — Locate the Dependent Clause

Underline the dependent clause in each sentence.

  1. 1.

    After Priya finished her science project, she presented it confidently to the entire class.

  2. 2.

    The documentary that we watched on Tuesday explored the migration of monarch butterflies.

  3. 3.

    Marcus could not focus on his assignment because the noise outside was extremely disruptive.

  4. 4.

    Although the weather forecast predicted rain, the field trip to the nature reserve continued.

  5. 5.

    The athlete who set the school record had trained every morning for nearly three years.

  6. 6.

    Whenever the library acquires new books, the librarian displays them near the entrance.

Part B — Label the Clause or Phrase

Choose the label that best identifies the words printed in all capitals in each sentence.

  1. 7.

    The coaches reviewed their strategy BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGAN on Friday evening.

    1. a)independent clause
    2. b)dependent clause
    3. c)prepositional phrase
  2. 8.

    Amara completed the math challenge WITH GREAT DETERMINATION and earned the highest score.

    1. a)dependent clause
    2. b)participial phrase
    3. c)prepositional phrase
  3. 9.

    THE RIVER FLOODED ITS BANKS, and the park was temporarily closed to all visitors.

    1. a)dependent clause
    2. b)prepositional phrase
    3. c)independent clause
  4. 10.

    The artist WHO DESIGNED THE SCHOOL MURAL spoke to our class about her inspiration.

    1. a)prepositional phrase
    2. b)independent clause
    3. c)dependent clause
  5. 11.

    HAVING REVIEWED ALL HER NOTES, Leila felt confident and ready for the presentation.

    1. a)dependent clause
    2. b)participial phrase
    3. c)independent clause

Part C — Correct the Sentence

Rewrite each sentence to correct the error in clause or phrase structure.

  1. 12.

    Because the science fair judges were impressed by her careful research and detailed model.

  2. 13.

    The school orchestra performed beautifully, the audience responded with a standing ovation.

  3. 14.

    Sprinting through the hallway toward the gymnasium to catch the beginning of the assembly.

  4. 15.

    Tomoko read the instructions carefully, however she still misunderstood the final diagram.

  5. 16.

    The report that our teacher assigned for the end-of-unit assessment on ancient civilizations.

Part D — Write Your Own

Write your own sentence following each prompt. Your sentence must show the structure described.

  1. 17.

    Write a complex sentence with a dependent clause that begins with 'because,' 'since,' or 'although.'

  2. 18.

    Write a sentence that contains a relative clause beginning with 'who' or 'which.'

Answer key

Part A — Locate the Dependent Clause

  1. 1.After Priya finished her science project
  2. 2.that we watched on Tuesday
  3. 3.because the noise outside was extremely disruptive
  4. 4.Although the weather forecast predicted rain
  5. 5.who set the school record
  6. 6.Whenever the library acquires new books

Part B — Label the Clause or Phrase

  1. 7.dependent clause
  2. 8.prepositional phrase
  3. 9.independent clause
  4. 10.dependent clause
  5. 11.participial phrase

Part C — Correct the Sentence

  1. 12.The science fair judges were impressed by her careful research and detailed model.
  2. 13.The school orchestra performed beautifully, and the audience responded with a standing ovation.
  3. 14.The students sprinted through the hallway toward the gymnasium to catch the beginning of the assembly.
  4. 15.Tomoko read the instructions carefully; however, she still misunderstood the final diagram.
  5. 16.The report that our teacher assigned for the end-of-unit assessment on ancient civilizations was due Friday.

Part D — Write Your Own

  1. 17.Example: Because the project deadline was approaching, the team stayed after school to finish their presentation.
  2. 18.Example: The scientist who discovered the new species spent years studying insects in the rainforest.

What this worksheet teaches

  • Distinguish between independent clauses, dependent clauses, and phrases in complex sentences.
  • Identify fragments caused by punctuating a dependent clause or phrase as a complete sentence.
  • Revise sentence fragments and comma splices using correct clause construction.

What is on the page

Part B — Label the Clause or Phrase prints “The coaches reviewed their strategy BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGAN on Friday evening.” with the options “independent clause”, “dependent clause” and “prepositional phrase”; the key gives “dependent clause”.

In Part C — Correct the Sentence, “Because the science fair judges were impressed by her careful research and detailed model.” is corrected in the key to “The science fair judges were impressed by her careful research and detailed model.”

The language it drills

“After Priya finished her science project, she presented it confidently to the entire class.” has one answer in the key: “After Priya finished her science project”.

Notes for the grown-up

  • Students often mistake a dependent clause for a complete sentence — watch for fragments beginning with 'because' or 'although.'
  • When correcting fragments, ask the student to find the subject and the verb before deciding whether the clause can stand alone.
  • A student is ready to move on when they can reliably write multi-clause sentences and explain which clauses are dependent.

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