An independent clause (or main clause) is a
clause
In language, a clause is a constituent that comprises a semantic predicand (expressed or not) and a semantic predicate. A typical clause consists of a subject and a syntactic predicate, the latter typically a verb phrase composed of a verb wit ...
that can stand by itself as a ''
simple sentence
In grammar, sentence and clause structure, commonly known as sentence composition, is the classification of sentences based on the number and kind of clauses in their syntactic structure. Such division is an element of traditional grammar.
Typol ...
''. An independent clause contains a
subject and a
predicate
Predicate or predication may refer to:
* Predicate (grammar), in linguistics
* Predication (philosophy)
* several closely related uses in mathematics and formal logic:
**Predicate (mathematical logic)
**Propositional function
**Finitary relation, o ...
and makes sense by itself.
Independent clauses can be joined by using a semicolon or by using a comma followed by a
coordinating conjunction
In grammar, a conjunction (abbreviated or ) is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses that are called the conjuncts of the conjunctions. That definition may overlap with that of other parts of speech and so what constitutes ...
(''and'', ''but'', ''for'', ''or'', ''nor'', ''so'', ''yet'', etc.).
Examples
In the following example
sentences, independent clauses are
underlined, and conjunctions are in bold.
Single independent clauses:
*
I have enough money to buy an ice cream cone.
*
My favourite flavour is chocolate.
*
Let's go to the shop.
Multiple independent clauses:
*
I have enough money to buy an ice cream cone;
my favourite flavour is chocolate.
*
I have enough money to buy an ice cream cone, so
let's go to the shop.
See also
*
Comma splice
In written English usage, a comma splice or comma fault is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses. For example:
The comma splice is sometimes used in literary writing to convey a particular mood of informality. In the United States i ...
*
Conditional sentence
*
Dependent clause
A subordinate clause, dependent clause, subclause, or embedded clause is a clause that is embedded within a complex sentence. For instance, in the English sentence "I know that Bette is a dolphin", the clause "that Bette is a dolphin" occurs as th ...
*
Relative clause
A relative clause is a clause that modifies a noun or noun phraseRodney D. Huddleston, Geoffrey K. Pullum, ''A Student's Introduction to English Grammar'', CUP 2005, p. 183ff. and uses some grammatical device to indicate that one of the argument ...
*
Run-on sentence
In grammar, sentence and clause structure, commonly known as sentence composition, is the classification of sentences based on the number and kind of clauses in their syntactic structure. Such division is an element of traditional grammar.
Typ ...
*
Sentence clause structure
In grammar, sentence and clause structure, commonly known as sentence composition, is the classification of sentences based on the number and kind of clauses in their syntactic structure. Such division is an element of traditional grammar.
Typolog ...
References
*
External links
Clauses: Independent The Tongue Untied
Online Writing Lab
Independent & Dependent Clauses My Schoolhouse
Clauses
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