Question

Is the underlined clause independent or subordinate?

"Steve is going downtown so that he can buy some sneakers."

A.
independent

B.
subordinate

Answer 1

A subordinate clause includes a subject and a verb, can't stand alone in a sentence because it doesn't convey a complete idea. But in order for it to form a complete idea, a subordinate clause MUST BE combined with an independent clause. It can be attached before or after the subordinate clause. An Independent clause can stand alone in a sentence and it's a complete sentence. Hence "Independent" meaning can survive alone


therefore, which clause is underlined?
but here's what you should know

"Steve is going downtown so that he can buy some sneakers."

Subordinate clause: so that he can buy some sneakers
If you leave that sentence alone, it becomes a fragment. This explains how subordinate clauses can't stand alone as a sentence.

Independent clause: Steve is going downtown
This part of the sentence is independent and can survive alone without the other half or the subordinate clause attached to it.