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In traditional grammar, an independent clause (or main clause) is a clause that can stand by itself as a simple sentence. An independent clause contains a subject and a predicate and makes sense by itself.
Independent clauses can be joined by using a semicolon or by using a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (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
- Conditional sentence
- Dependent clause
- Relative clause
- Run-on sentence
- Sentence clause structure
References
- Rozakis, Laurie (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style. Alpha. p. 152. ISBN 1-59257-115-8.
External links
- Clauses: Independent Archived 2021-11-07 at the Wayback Machine, The Tongue Untied
- Clauses, Online Writing Lab
- Independent & Dependent Clauses, My Schoolhouse
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Independent clause news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2013 Learn how and when to remove this message In traditional grammar an independent clause or main clause is a clause that can stand by itself as a simple sentence An independent clause contains a subject and a predicate and makes sense by itself Independent clauses can be joined by using a semicolon or by using a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction and but for or nor so yet etc ExamplesIn 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 alsoComma splice Conditional sentence Dependent clause Relative clause Run on sentence Sentence clause structureReferencesRozakis Laurie 2003 The Complete Idiot s Guide to Grammar and Style Alpha p 152 ISBN 1 59257 115 8 External linksClauses Independent Archived 2021 11 07 at the Wayback Machine The Tongue Untied Clauses Online Writing Lab Independent amp Dependent Clauses My Schoolhouse This syntax related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte
