0
An independent clause has a subject, a verb, and it can stand on its own and make sense. If I say "This has got to stop!", I have certainly made a complete sentence. On the other hand, a dependent clause may have a subject and a verb, but it can NOT stand by itself and make sense-- it needs its friend, the independent clause to help it.
For example: "While David was waiting for the bus..." That is not a complete sentence-- we don't know what happened while David was waiting. That tells you that it's a dependent clause. So, let's complete it: While David was waiting for the bus, he saw his friend Jerry walking down the street. (Hint: if you see words like "while," "when," "if", "during" and "as," you probably have a dependent clause.) So, one more example: "David is waiting for the bus." That is an independent clause-- it stands by itself and makes sense. But: "If David misses the bus..." That makes no sense. It's a dependent clause (it depends on an independent clause). Let's fix it: "If David misses the bus, he will be late for school." Now we have a complete sentence, and it makes sense.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is different between independent and dependent?
An independent clause can stand on its own as a sentence. A dependent clause contains a subject and verb but cannot be a sentence. In the sentence "I'll stop by your office after I finish my lunch", "I'll stop by your office" is an independent clause, and "after I finish my lunch" is a dependent clause.
What is different between independent and dependent clauses?
An independent clause can stand on its own as a sentence. A dependent clause contains a subject and verb but cannot be a sentence. In the sentence "I'll stop by your office after I finish my lunch", "I'll stop by your office" is an independent clause, and "after I finish my lunch" is a dependent clause.
What does an independent clause do?
An independent clause stands alone.
What is another word for main clause?
An alternative term for a main clause is an independent clause.
What is a single clause that stands by itself?
A simple sentence
Which one cannot stand alone as a sentence independent clause or independent clause?
Only an independent clause can stand independently. A dependent clause is dependent on an independent clause.
An example of an independent clause?
An independent clause is a sentence that can stand on its own.
Which is the definition of a complex sentence?
A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while the dependent clause relies on the independent clause to make sense.
What is the difference between a clause and an independent clause?
A clause can not stand alone in a sentence, whereas an independent clause can stand alone in a sentence.
Can a subordinate conjunction make an independent clause into a dependent clause?
This question is somewhat ambiguously phrased, because independent and dependent clauses are mutually exclusive categories, and a clause that is introduced by a subordinate conjunction is not independent by definition. However, substituting a coordinating conjunction in a independent clause by a subordinate conjunction can convert an initially independent clause into a dependent clause.
What kind of clause contains a subject and a predicate?
It can be an independent clause or a dependent clause. It is an independent clause if does not have a word at the beginning like "but" or "because". If there is a word like this at the beginning of the clause, it is a dependent clause.
What does subordinate independent clause mean?
A subordinate independent clause is a type of clause that has both dependent and independent qualities. It can function independently as a complete sentence but is usually part of a larger sentence and relies on another clause for context or meaning. This type of clause often begins with a subordinating conjunction.
