What is an independent clause? Generally, sentences are constructed using parts of speech. And combinations of all of the forms of English parts of speech. There are many parts of speech, such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
Moreover, there are also different parts of a sentence. For example, the subject and the predicate or object are excluded from the previously listed parts of speech. When the parts of speech get combined, clauses get created. As soon as clauses are added to the sentence, a complete sentence is typically constructed. Every complete sentence should have at least one independent clause or a mixture of a subject and a predicate.
This guide below will discuss the importance of independent and dependent clauses. By understanding dependent and independent clauses, you can understand why they’re used in English and their intended purpose.
As we’re discussing the independent and dependent clauses, you might wonder, “What is a clause exactly?” A clause is typically a group of related words with a subject, verb,or verb phrase. These are considered the basics of creating complete sentences in the English language.
These subjects and verbs should be related. Generally, it means that the subject is accomplishing the verb in a clause, even though the verb might not be the action verb (for instance, ‘it’ isnot an action verb). Also, a verb might be refused (for example, “not” → not going).
If a subject (implied or stated) is connected to a verb, then a phrase is a clause.
There are several clauses, but here we are only going to discuss two primary types of clauses. These are:
Dependent clauses have a subject and a verb. However, don’t convey a complete idea or complete sentence. A dependent clause can act as an adjective, adverb, and noun.
Dependent Clause = Incomplete Reflection
Remember, only using a dependent clause doesn’t construct complete sentences. It only makes a comprehendible sentence when you join independent clauses to it.
Here are a few word examples that will explain this in more detail:
These are not complete sentences and merely sentence fragments.
An independent clause is typically described as a set of words with a subject and verb expressing a complete idea.
Independent clauses express a complete thought when used with other parts of speech. Independent clauses can stand independently as a whole sentence, even if it’s just a part of one more significant sentence.
Independent clauses or independent sentences are formed as soon as the subject performs some action. A subject in a complete sentence is the noun doing the action. At the same time, a verb in the sentence is an action the sentence subject does. Independent clauses can occur in simple, complex, compound forms. And also compound-complex sentences.
Do you know how to identify independent clauses?
You’ve got an independent clause if you can answer these two questions.
The most straightforward sentence is an independent clause that can be constructed as a single-word imperative sentence using an understood subject, “you.” It becomes an independent clause like:
Who’s performing something? You, the listener or reader, are performing something here. What are you performing on? You’re ordered to run. ‘You’ is the subject, and the word ‘run’ is the verb.
If the phrase has a subject and verb, as well as expresses a complete thought, it can become an independent clause:
An independent clause needs 2 main things: a subject and a predicate. However, they can have objects and modifiers to make the information getting portrayed more detailed.
The subject is something or someone that’s “doing” the action in a sentence. Often, it is only a single noun (a place, person, idea, or thing), but it also can be a noun phrase or a gerund that uses different modifiers.
The predicate describes the action of the sentence. It can be a single verb or a verb phrase.
These are adjectives and adverbs that “modify” other words by including more details.
The object is typically a thing in the sentence that accepts the verb’s action. Several independent clauses will add objects and make thoughts more complete.
A dependent clause is typically a set of words with a subject and a predicate. However, it does not represent a complete thought or idea.
An independent clause is typically a set of words with a subject and a predicate and expresses a whole thought.
Think of the difference as either complete or fragmented.
Here is how to connect the first independent and dependent clauses to complete the sentence structure.
Independent clauses are associated with dependent clauses using a subordinating conjunction such as:
Independent clauses are associated with dependent clauses using a relative pronoun such as:
IND Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + IND Clause
My father is sleeping next door, and my mother is reading
Coordinating conjunctions are linking words that are utilized to connect independent clauses. There’re 7 coordinating conjunctions. Such as:
Coordinating conjunctions are generally placed after the first independent clause and before the second independent clause. It’s not uncommon to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction between the two independent clauses.
IND Clause + ; + IND Clause
My father is sleeping next door; my mother is reading in this room.
Semicolons can join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
IND Clause + IND Transition Word + IND Clause
Example: My mother is sleeping; however my father is reading a book.
Independent transition words are another way to connect clauses. These words are used at the beginning of an independent clause.
Some common independent transition words:
Let’s take a closer look at a few examples of using an independent clause that can function within a sentence. The independent clause in the sentence will be emphasized in bold.
I am completely out of my mind when you asked me to sit back & watch. (Complex Sentence)
I love watching movies and I’ll go tomorrow. (Compound Sentence)
A semicolon is a type of punctuation mark. It joins independent clauses that can easily be divided using a full stop (.). Still, the writer decided to avoid pausing, or the speaker showed the quickness to mention 2 complete sentences without hesitation, reflecting the action of the impulsive speaker (intentional).
I am full; I only had ice cream and cake.
More Examples in Sentences:
Here are a few common errors people make. So, let’s have a look below:
A fused sentence happens as soon as 2 independent clauses are not divided by any kind of punctuation mark. This error is even known as the run-on sentence. This error can often be fixed by simply adding a colon, semicolon, or period to split the 2 sentences.
A comma splice is the usage of a comma between 2 independent clauses. A writer can correct the mistake by adjusting the comma to a period. Making the 2 clauses into 2 separate sentences by changing the comma to a semicolon or simply by making 1 clause dependent by placing a dependent marker word in the front.
Incorrect Sentence Example:
I like the class, it’s very interesting.
Correct Sentence Example:
Sentence fragments occur by treating the dependent clause or other incomplete thoughts as a whole sentence. You can settle this mistake by combining it with another sentence and making an entire thought or simply erasing the dependent marker word.
Incorrect Sentence Example:
Because I completely forgot the examination was today.
Correct Sentence Example:
A simple sentence is generally constructed using one independent clause. Here, the independent clause is typically a set of words that has a subject and a predicate and builds a whole idea when alone.
In this case, the subject of the simple sentence means something or someone (the subject has at least 1 noun or pronoun).
A dependent clause is typically a set of words with a subject and verb but doesn’t convey a complete idea. The dependent clauses can’t be a complete sentence but a sentence fragment. Often the dependent clauses are characterized by a dependent marker word.
An independent clause is typically the mixture of at least 1 subject and a predicate that makes complete sense. It represents a complete thought itself.
A dependent clause can function in many ways. It can function as a noun, an adjective, or as an adverb. These are called nominal , adjectival, and adverbial dependent clauses.
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About the author
Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.
