main clause
| Dictionary: main clause |
n.
A clause in a complex sentence that contains at least a subject and a verb and can stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence. Also called independent clause.
| Grammar Dictionary: independent clause |
A clause that can stand alone as a sentence. The following sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by but: “The farmers complained of the low price of food, but the office workers did not complain.” (Compare dependent clause.)
| WordNet: independent clause |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence
Synonym: main clause
| Wikipedia: Independent clause |
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Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (March 2009) |
An independent clause (or main clause, matrix clause) is a clause that can stand by itself, also known as a simple sentence. Independent clauses contain a subject and a predicate. Multiple independent clauses can be joined by using a semicolon or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Contents |
Examples
- I love penguins. (simple sentence)
- I drive a bus. (simple sentence)
- I am a bus driver, and my wife is a lawyer. (compound sentence made up of two independent clauses: I am a bus driver and my wife is a lawyer)
- I want to be an astronaut, but I need to receive my Astronaut Badge. (compound sentence made up of two independent clauses: I want to be an astronaut and I need to receive my Astronaut Badge)
- Go to the store, and get me a carton of milk. (compound sentence) (Though a subject is not visible, in English the subject of an imperative is considered to be the pronoun 'you')
See also
References
- Rozakis, Laurie (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style pp. 152. Alpha. ISBN 1-59257-115-8.
External links
- The Tongue Untied: Independent Clause
- Owl Online Writing Lab: Independent and Dependent Clauses
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Copyrights:
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Grammar Dictionary. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Independent clause". Read more |
Related answers
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- What is a main clause?
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