The Independent Clause

What is an independent clause? An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has both a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought.

How are independent clauses used? Independent clauses are used in all types of complete sentences: simple, compound, complex and compound-complex. All require at least one independent clause. For example: • A simple sentence (with one independent clause) would be: 'Dave sleeps.' • A compound sentence (with two independent clauses) is: 'Dave sleeps, and Sam reads.' • A complex sentence (with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause) would be: 'When Dave sleeps, Sam reads.' • A complex-compound sentence (with at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause) is: 'Dave sleeps, and because he has the house quiet at last, Sam reads.'

What happens when you don't use the right punctuation and coordinators when using an independent clause? Like anything else, independent clauses have ways of going bad. For example, in compound and complex sentences, the right punctuation and coordinators are required. Without them, independent clauses become run-on sentences, and dependent clauses become sentence fragments.

What do run-on sentences always involve? If you write run-on sentences, readers will most likely end up going over it again and again in order to get a firm understanding of what you're trying to say. This is no fun for the reader, and it risks damaging your credibility as the writer. Even though run-on sentences and fragments are fairly common, they're considered major English errors. Sometimes, you'll see them in literary works - some writers use artistic license to stray from the conventions of grammar - but they should otherwise be avoided. Run-ons always involve at least two independent clauses.

Is the following a run- on? Dave sleeps Sam reads.

Why is the following a run-on? Dave sleeps, Sam reads

How do you fix run-on sentences? Correct run-ons by adding a period, semicolon or comma. Coordinating conjunctions or transition words (such as 'therefore' or 'however') may also be required for the sentence to make sense.

Why is the following a run-on? Dave sleeps. Sam reads

What is a sentence fragment? Sentence fragments are dependent clauses masquerading as sentences. A fragment may look like a complete sentence, but when you read it, you know something isn't right. It might be missing the subject or the verb, or it might be a dependent clause missing its partner - the independent clause.

True or False: An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence.