If You Read a Sentence and Decide That It Has Two Independent Clauses but No Dependent Clauses
Sentences are made up of several layers: there are unlike parts of voice communication similar nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and there are dissimilar parts of a sentence—the subject and the predicate. When parts of voice communication are combined, clauses are created. When clauses are combined, complete sentences tin exist created. Every complete sentence must include at least one independent clause , or the combination of at to the lowest degree 1 subject and one predicate.
When you're set up, test yourself with a quiz and exercise with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here .
The Basics of Independent Clauses
What is an Independent Clause?
An independent clause is the combination of at to the lowest degree one subject and predicate. It expresses a complete idea.
For case:
- The waves crashed onto the sandy shore .
The sentence above is an example of an independent clause because it expresses a consummate thought and contains both a subject, the waves , and a predicate, crashed onto the sandy shore .
How are dependent clauses different from independent clauses?
Just as they audio, independent clauses are independent, which means that they practice not have to rely on any other clause to create a complete thought. On the other hand, dependent clauses cannot exist past themselves and must be connected to an independent clause in order to create a complete sentence. In other words, they depend on contained clauses every bit the foundation of the sentence.
In that location are iii types of dependent clauses, and each one depends on the independent clause in a different way.
1. Adverbial Dependent Clauses
- Adverbial dependent clauses modify or describe the main verb of the sentence, which is always plant in the independent clause . These clauses showtime with subordinating conjunctions and reply 1 of these questions: where, why, how, when, or to what caste?
- For example: Nosotros will travel to Disney World this twelvemonth provided that our plans are non cancelled .
- The dependent clause underlined above modifies the primary verb, "will travel" by showing status or probability.
ii. Relative (Adjective) Dependent Clauses
- Relative (describing word) dependent clauses alter or describe a substantive which is plant in the independent clause . These clauses offset with relative pronouns and answer i of ii questions: which i, or what kind?
- For example: This is the letter that I gave him .
- In the sentence above, the dependent clause " that I gave him " modifies the subject, " this ", by adding specific details.
iii. Noun Dependent Clauses
- Noun dependent clauses tin take the part of any noun in the sentence, simply if they have any role except that of the subject, they are dependent. These clauses begin with either interrogative pronouns or expletives.
- For example: I do non know if I tin pat my head and rub my stomach at the aforementioned time .
- In the sentence above, the underlined dependent clause is acting equally a noun directly object that answers the question, what?
How do contained clauses connect to other clauses in sentences?
Independent clauses can connect to other independent clauses or to dependent clauses to create more than complex and more interesting sentences.
Contained clauses connect to other independent clauses in 3 ways.
1. Through the use of a semicolon:
If writers would normally divide two independent clauses into two split sentences, but they determine that they desire to prove a closer relationship betwixt the two clauses, writers would use a semicolon to connect the ii.
For example:
- The popsicle stand had an overwhelming variety of flavors ; I couldn't decide which 1 to get .
two. With a comma+analogous conjunction:
If writers want to specify the relationship between two independent clauses further than simply placing them next with a semicolon in betwixt, they can utilise a comma and i of the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, not, merely, or, notwithstanding, so.
For example:
- The new IPhone was more expensive than I expected , so I had to salve for a few more months before purchasing ane.
3. With a semicolon+subordinating conjunction+a comma:
Writers can besides specify a relationship between two independent clauses by using a semicolon, a subordinating conjunction, and a comma.
For example:
- Nosotros had planned to go to the embankment today ; even so, it was raining .
For this item combination, it tin can exist hard to remember all of the necessary punctuation. Just remember this formula:
; + subordinating conjunction + ,
Contained clauses can connect to dependent clauses in a couple of ways.
ane. If the dependent clause comes outset in the sentence, a comma separates it from the independent clause.
If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, this clause is frequently meant as an introductory phrase to the main idea or the independent clause of the sentence.
Because the subject arrives so late in the sentence, information technology is necessary to place a comma after the introductory clause to make sure that readers know where the main subject is. The comma acts similar a flag waving in the sentence to get the reader'south attention!
Here is how it looks:
- Whether we become to the movies or to the mall, I am happy either fashion .
two. Other times, writers place the dependent clause after the independent clause.
For instance:
- We could non expect to go exterior because it had just started snowing.
When the dependent clause comes later the independent clause , no punctuation is needed.
Why do writers connect independent clauses to other clauses in sentences?
While independent clauses practise not need to exist combined with other clauses to make a complete judgement, writers ofttimes connect different clauses together in sentences to add voice and variety to a text. If every sentence was fabricated up of only one independent clause , readers would probably fall asleep from colorlessness! Information technology would sound like this:
The sun shone through the leaves onto the woods flooring. Squirrels chattered from the branches. Birds sang pretty songs. Butterflies floated from flower to flower .
Even though this snippet includes some imagery to make it more interesting to read, it feels static and boring because every sentence is written the same.
However, this same snippet tin can be easily transformed into something much more engaging by but combining these clauses with one another:
As the sun shone through the leaves and onto the forest flooring, squirrels chattered from the branches. Butterflies floated from blossom to bloom while birds' songs echoed through the woods .
By changing ii independent clauses into dependent clauses and cut down 4 sentences into two, the snippet is much more enjoyable to read.
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3 Tips for Understanding Independent Clauses
Here are some important tips to help you understand Independent Clauses :
Tip #1. Independent clauses must have at least one field of study and one predicate
For example:
- Joe prefers to accept bananas and peanut butter on his pizza instead of cheese and marinara sauce.
Fifty-fifty though this sentence has an extra long predicate with lots of modifiers, it is nevertheless simply ane independent clause because in that location is just 1 discipline, Joe , and one predicate.
Tip #2. If a clause begins with a transition word or subordinating conjunction, then the clause is dependent
For instance:
- Although Joe has questionable gustatory modality in pizza.
Does this clause feel like information technology is missing something? This clause is not contained because it begins with a transition word, although. This clause depends on some other clause in the sentence to make sense, and is therefore an incomplete thought or a fragment without that independent clause .
Here is the sentence rewritten with an independent clause added at the end:
- Although Joe has questionable taste in pizza, he is all the same 1 of my best friends.
Now the sentence is complete and the reader is not left confused at the end of the dependent clause.
Tip #iii. Independent clauses cannot exist connected in sentences by just using a comma; writers must utilize either a semicolon, a semicolon + a subordinating conjunction + a comma, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction
For example:
- Owls sleep during the day ; foxes sleep at night .
If we used a comma instead of a semicolon in the judgement in a higher place, we would be guilty of a comma splice! Thankfully, this grammatical mistake can be easily avoided by becoming more than comfortable with the unusual piece of punctuation–the semicolon.
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Applying the Basics: Independent Clause Review & Exercise
At present that you understand how contained clauses office in sentences, review the ballast nautical chart below and consummate the review to fully understand how to use and recognize independent clauses .
The Ultimate List of Clauses
Refer to the graphic below to learn the unlike types of Clauses :
This listing, plainly, does not include all possible examples of clauses; however, it is meant to exist used every bit a guide while identifying judgement clauses.
Independent Clauses Exercises and Review
At present that y'all know how to identify contained clauses , test your ability to discover them in sentences.
Select the independent clause(s) in the sentences below. Recollect, an contained clause must have at least one subject and i predicate and express a complete idea.
i. When Ass comes to visit Shrek in his swamp, Shrek wants to exist left solitary .
In this sentence, Shrek wants to be left lone is the independent clause . The beginning of the sentence up to the comma is an adverbial dependent clause that answers when Shrek wants to be left alone.
2. Lord Farquaad tries to marry Princess Fiona , only she refuses to do so .
In this sentence, there are ii contained clauses that are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction. The first independent clause is Lord Farquaad tries to ally Princess Fiona, and the second contained clause is she refuses to practice then.
3. Puss in Boots is a skilled fighter ; however, his greatest forcefulness lies in his ambrosial eyes.
In this sentence, Puss in Boots is a skilled fighter is the independent clause that is separate from the dependent clause through the utilise of a semicolon, a subordinating conjunction, and a comma.
four. When Princess Fiona transforms into an ogre for good, Shrek reassures her that she is beautiful.
In this sentence, Shrek reassures her that she is beautiful is the independent clause . The other clause in the sentence is a dependent adverbial clause because it starts with the subordinating conjunction, when, and modifies the verb, reassures .
five. Fairy tale creatures swarmed Shrek's swamp after Lord Farquaad banished them from the kingdom.
In this sentence, fairy tale creatures swarmed Shrek'south swamp is the independent clause because it is a complete thought. The other clause in the sentence is an adverbial dependent clause considering it begins with the subordinating conjunction, after , and modifies the verb, swarmed.
Pro tip : Remember, contained clauses must contain a subject and a verb and express a complete thought. If a clause begins with a subordinating conjunction, a relative pronoun, or an interrogative pronoun, it is a dependent clause.
For additional practise, check out Independent Clauses content on Albert.
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Attempt for Yourself: Independent Clauses Quiz
Feeling confident in your understanding of Independent Clauses ?
Take this brusk six-question quiz to see what you've learned:
i. Can an independent clause starting time with a subordinating conjunction?
- Respond: No
- Correct Caption: That's right! An independent clause cannot start with a subordinating conjunction because this conjunction makes the clause dependent.
- Wrong Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct! Remember, an contained clause cannot beginning with a subordinating conjunction because subordinating conjunctions make clauses dependent.
2. Can you lot connect two contained clauses together using only a comma?
- Reply: No
- Correct Caption: That'southward right! Independent clauses cannot be continued by only using a comma. Writers must use either a comma and a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon + a subordinating conjunction + a comma, or supersede the comma with a semicolon.
- Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that'southward not right! Recall, Independent clauses cannot be connected by only using a comma. This is a grammatical fault called a "comma splice". Writers must use either a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or replace the comma with a semicolon.
3. In this sentence, is the underlined clause independent or dependent?
Whenever we go to the beach , I expect for dolphins.
- Answer: Dependent
- Correct Caption: That'southward right! The underlined clause is dependent because it begins with a subordinating conjunction and does not express a complete thought.
- Wrong Caption: Sorry, that's not right! Remember, independent clauses cannot start with a subordinating conjunction, and independent clauses must express a complete idea.
4. In this judgement, is the underlined clause contained or dependent?
The quarterback launched the football game beyond the field, but the broad receiver was unable to catch information technology .
- Answer: Independent
- Correct Caption: That's right! The underlined phrase is independent for two reasons: get-go, information technology expresses a complete thought, and secondly, it is connected to another independent clause through the use of a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
- Incorrect Caption: Pitiful, that's not correct! Remember, independent clauses limited a complete thought and can be combined with other contained clauses through the use of a semicolon, a semicolon+subordinating conjunction+a comma, or with a comma+coordinating conjunction.
5. In this judgement, is the underlined clause independent or dependent?
His charcoal cartoon of a horse should take won kickoff place; however, an oil painting of a flower vase won instead .
- Answer: Contained
- Correct Explanation: That'south right! In this sentence, the underlined phrase is independent because even though it begins with a subordinating conjunction, it still expresses a complete thought and could stand on its own without the assistance of the rest of the sentence.
- Wrong Explanation: Deplorable, that's not right! Remember, independent clauses limited a consummate thought and tin can be combined with other contained clauses through the utilise of a semicolon, a semicolon+subordinating conjunction+a comma, or with a comma+analogous conjunction.
half dozen. In this judgement, is the underlined clause contained or dependent?
We will brand it on time if nosotros bustle .
- Answer: Dependent
- Correct Explanation: That'south right! The underlined clause is dependent considering it begins with a subordinating conjunction, it modifies the verb, and because it cannot stand on its ain every bit a complete thought.
- Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not right! Remember, to be an independent clause, the clause must exist able to stand on its own as a complete thought.
For additional practice with Independent Clauses , check out our practise on Albert: Independent Clauses .
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Teacher's Corner for Contained Clauses
Our students may be able to recognize a complete sentence when they see one, but they might not be able to explicate exactly what makes a sentence complete. Some students genuinely struggle to write in complete thoughts, and have difficulty understanding why their sentences are fragmented.
A clear understanding of both independent and dependent clauses is essential for growing confident writers. The Mutual Core English Progressive Skills Chart is a great tool for showing teachers at what point individual students should kickoff learning various skills based on their prior knowledge.
For specific standards on the different types of clauses including contained clauses, bank check out the Common Core State Standards website.
Albert'south Independent Clause Practice is a helpful tool for students learning how to recognize these clauses and tell them autonomously from dependent clauses. Once it comes time to appraise students' understanding, Albert as well provides teachers with cumulative assessments and smaller topic quizzes that tin be used to assess student learning and progress on each skill.
Summary for Independent Clauses
Independent clauses are made by combining at least one subject and predicate. They express complete thoughts.
Contained clauses connect to other independent clauses in 3 ways:
- Through the use of a semicolon
- With a comma+coordinating conjunction
- With a semicolon+subordinating conjunction+a comma
Exist sure to cheque out our grammar course for more Independent Clause exercise.
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