independent clause

Examples of independent clause in the following topics:

• Semicolons

  • Semicolons are used to link related clauses and to separate clauses that contain additional punctuation.
  • Semicolons, like colons and commas, indicate pauses within a sentence to show relationships between words and clauses.
  • Semicolons can join closely related independent clauses that are not linked with a coordinating conjunction:
  • Semicolons can also be used between independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb.
  • In some style guides, such as APA, however, the first word of the joined independent clause should be capitalized.

• Using Varied Sentence Lengths and Styles

  • The two main categories of clauses are independent clauses and subordinate (or dependent) clauses.
  • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
  • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
  • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
  • This sentence contains two independent clauses (one before and one after the comma) and each independent clause contains a subordinate clause ("what you eat" and "what you are").

• Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

  • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (or in other words, two clauses that each express a complete thought and could stand on its own as a full sentence) are joined only by a comma instead of an acceptable form of punctuation, such as a comma with a coordinating conjunction, a period or a semicolon.
  • Once you discover where the two independent clauses are "spliced," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses:
  • While a run-on sentence, also known as a fused sentence, might just seem like a type of sentence that goes on and on without a clear point, the technical grammatical definition of a run-on sentence is one that fuses, or "runs together," two or more independent clauses without using punctuation to separate them.
  • Run-on sentences may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany the coordinating conjunction in order to separate two independent clauses.
  • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses.

• Common Comma Mistakes

  • Do not use a comma before a dependent clause that comes after an independent clause.
  • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (that is, two complete sentences) are joined only by a comma.
  • Once you discover where the two independent clauses are "spliced," there are several ways to separate them.
  • The independent clauses may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany it to separate the independent clauses.
  • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can decide how best to separate the clauses.

• Introduction to Commas

  • Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that separates two independent clauses.
  • When joining two independent clauses, or clauses that could stand on their own as full sentences, place a comma before the conjunction.
  • If the second independent clause is very short, or if it is an imperative, the comma can be omitted.
  • Both clauses are independent and could stand on their own as complete sentences.
  • Only use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause if the dependent clause is first!

• Structure of a Sentence

  • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
  • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
  • "However," "nonetheless," and "still" are often used as qualifiers between independent clauses.
  • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
  • This sentence contains two independent clauses (one before and one after the comma), and each independent clause contains a subordinate clause ("what you eat" and "what you are").

• Components of a Sentence

  • (adjective clause)
  • If the clause could stand by itself—that is, form a complete sentence with punctuation—we call it an independent clause.
  • The following are independent clauses:
  • We could easily turn independent clauses into complete sentences by adding appropriate punctuation marks.
  • We call them independent because these types of clauses can stand by themselves, without any extra words attached, and be complete sentences.

• Overall Structure and Formatting of an APA Paper

  • If you have a colon or em dash (—) in the middle of a sentence, and what follows after is an independent clause (i.e., it could be a sentence on its own), the word after the colon or em dash should be capitalized (as though the following sentence were on its own).
  • Here, "The train had never arrived" could stand as its own sentence because it is an independent clause (i.e., it has both a subject—the train—and a verb phrase—had never arrived).

• Colons

  • In American English, many writers capitalize the word following a colon if it begins an independent clause—that is, a clause that can stand as a complete sentence.

• Verb Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, and Imperative

  • Usually, the subjunctive mood is used in a dependent clause.
  • [Main clause "I wish" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "Paul would eat" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]
  • [Main clause "I suggest" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "we wait until" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]