Independent and Dependent ClausesIndependent and dependent clauses are the building blocks of sentences. A single independent clause can be a sentence, by itself. However, dependent clauses are used to make sentences more complete and more interesting. Using conjunctions and proper punctuation, dependent and independent clauses can be joined together to create interesting and complex compound sentences that are fun and engaging to read.

Independent Clause DefinedAn independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own, by itself. It does not need to be joined to any other clauses, because it contains all the information necessary to be a complete sentences. 

Independent clauses have three components:

1. They have a subject - they tell the reader what the sentence is about.2. They have an action or predicate - they tell the reader what the subject is doing.3. They express a complete thought - something happened or was said.

An independent clause can be as simple as a subject and a verb:

Jim reads.

Jim is the subject. Reads is the action or verb. A complete thought was expressed - something was said, and the reader now knows that Jim likes to read.

Independent clauses can also be joined to other independent clauses, if the independent clauses are related. However, they MUST be joined using the proper punctuation.

Jim read a book; he really enjoyed the book.

The first clause is an independent clause. Jim is the subject, read is the action, book is the object.

The second clause is an independent clause. He is the subject, enjoyed is the action and the book is the object.The independent clauses are related, so they can be joined to create a complex sentence. They are correctly joined by a semicolon. 

Jim read a book, he really enjoyed the book.

Again, we have two independent clauses, but the independent clauses are not joined properly. When two independent clauses are joined only be a comma, it is a grammatical error called a comma splice.

Independent clauses can be quite complex, but the important thing to remember is that they stand on their own and make sense alone.

For more examples of independent clauses, check out Examples of Independent Clauses.

Dependent Clause DefinedA dependent clause is a clause that does not express a complete thought.

A clause can be dependent because of the presence of a:

Marker Word (Before, after, because, since, in order to, although, though, whenever, wherever, whether, while, even though, even if)

Conjunction (And, or, nor, but, yet)

Dependent clauses MUST be joined to another clause, in order to avoid creating a sentence fragment.

Because I forgot my homework.

This is a sentence fragment. We have a "because" but not a "why" or anything accompanying and following what happened "because" they forgot.

Because I forgot my homework, I got sent home.

Here, the error is corrected. "I got sent home" is an independent clause. "I" is the subject, "got" is the verb, "sent home" is the object. A complete thought is expressed.

Dependent clauses can become more complex if we add subjects, objects, and modifying phrases:

Jim, who likes books, read a book.

Jim is the subject."Who likes to read" is a dependent clause that modifies Jim. It contains "likes" which is a verb.Read is a verb.A book is the object.

Like independent clauses, a dependent clause can also be complex. The important thing to remember is that the dependent clause does not stand on its own as a complete thought.

For more examples of dependent clauses, check out Examples of Dependent Clauses.

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Examples of Independent ClausesAn independent clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate. It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Independent Clause Examples I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and reading. Waiting to have my car’s oil changed is boring. She wants to travel the world and see wonderful sights. Our planets revolve around the sun. The professor always comes to class fully prepared. Hurricanes strengthen over warm waters. It is good to tackle the hardest chores first. Meredith fixed the leaky faucet all by herself. The soprano sang the aria perfectly. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. Hiking and biking are my favorite summertime activities. It is very important to brush your teeth twice a day. We can hardly wait to see the movie. This fall’s television line-up is lacking in diversity. The brand new Italian restaurant is beautifully decorated. There is a lot of apathy concerning the upcoming election. Andrew decided to buy a sundae instead of a double-scoop cone. Joan teaches science and algebra at the community college. The squirrels are busy storing nuts for the winter. I like to swim laps to stay in shape. Peter and Elaine could not decide if they wanted to elope or have a big wedding. The team persevered and finally broke the tie. The Alps in Switzerland are breathtaking.

Examples of Independent Clauses Joined Together Here are examples of two independent clauses together in one sentence joined by a comma and/or a coordinating conjunction:

The beach is a lot of fun, but the mountains are even better. All of us went to the movie, and we agreed it was enjoyable. I went to the mall, but forgot to get socks. He went to the park and the ride was broken. I really wanted potato soup, but they only offered clam chowder and chicken

noodle. Today is Thursday and the test is Friday. She not only bought two dresses but she got matching shoes. I really want to see the game, but the store is having a huge sale.

She interviewed for three jobs, but she really wants to work here. We all looked very tired, for we had stayed up all night cramming for the final.

Independent Clauses in Sentences with SemicolonsHere are examples of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon:

I went to the Department of Motor vehicles; I took the written test. Monica brought the drinks; Frank brought the main dish. This is one of my favorite books; Pride and Prejudice is another favorite. My little brother refuses to go to bed early; he is afraid he will miss something. The bridge is narrow; the river is wide. He is going to the cabin; he intends to stay there all weekend. During their hike, they noticed a storm moving in; they decided to turn back. There was a strong wind at the beach; we managed to have a good time anyway. I was very happy; I had pizza and ice cream. Some authors prefer to use a word processor; others write using pen and paper.

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Examples of Dependent ClausesA dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It does not express a complete thought so it is not a sentence and can’t stand alone. These clauses include adverb clauses, adjective clauses and noun clauses.

Adverb ClausesAdverb clauses modify verbs and begin with subordinating conjunctions. Here are examples of dependent clauses that are adverb clauses:

When the president arrives Because I can’t wait for the bus As if he knew what was going to happen Than his sister can If you can work on Sundays Until the sun sets While flowers continue to bloom Whenever you come to visit Since I don’t have enough money Although I had never considered it Unless you have the right size As the lights were dimming

No matter how you look at it How he got elected Before the food gets cold Supposing that she really wanted to go

Adjective ClausesAdjective clauses modify nouns and usually begin with a relative pronoun and sometimes with a subordinating conjunction. Here are examples of dependent clauses that are adjective clauses:

That I sold him Which is located in Italy Who is intelligent Whom we met after the movie Whose writing is always intriguing When the leaves turn colors and fall Where I went to elementary school Why the movie was a flop That was a bestseller Who live by the ocean

Noun ClausesNoun clauses name a person, place, thing or idea. Since it acts as a noun, it can be a subject, object, a subject complement, an object complement or an appositive. Here are examples of dependent clauses that are noun clauses:

Why she said that Whomever you like How they would get there Who let the cat out of the bag What she anticipated Whatever makes you happy That you are listening Whether he can drive that far If the dress is on sale Whoever shows up on time

Dependent Clauses in Sentences What the girl did was not very helpful. He finally finished his novel, after months of research. The trophy goes to whoever wins the race. While I was asleep , the cat knocked over the plant. A helium nucleus has two protons, whereas hydrogen has only one. Where is the ice cream that was in the freezer? After Mike sneezed all over the hamburger patties , no one wanted to eat. The town where I was born is on the east coast.

I can’t figure out why she said that. We will do whatever is necessary. The author, whom I met at the book signing, was very cordial. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. You may play outside until the street lights come on. That cat that you found belongs to the Smiths. Whenever I go to Greece , I will visit Santorini Since no one else volunteered , the job is yours. If you can give me two reasons , I will allow it.

Learn more about independent and dependent clauses here. 

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