Independent (main) clauses

A clause is defined as a group of words with a subject (noun phrase) and verb phrase.

An independent or main clause contains a subject (i.e., noun phrase) and verb phrase and can stand alone; that is, it states a complete idea: The baseball player is running around the bases.

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses that is separated by a coordinating conjunction: The baseball player is running around the bases, and her helmet falls off rounding third.

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one dependent clause (refer to Dependent Clauses): The baseball player is running around the bases while the crowd cheers with excitement.

In a compound sentence and complex sentence, the terms clauses and sentences are not the same. For example, in a compound sentence, there are two independent clauses in a single sentence; in the complex sentence the independent clause is The baseball player is running around the bases but the sentence refers to both the independent and dependent clauses (i.e., The baseball player is running around the bases while the crowd cheers with excitement.).

The only time a clause and sentence are the same is when writing a simple sentence. A simple sentence has one (independent) clause: The baseball player is running around the bases.

A compound-complex sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause: The baseball player is running around the bases, and her helmet falls off rounding third while the crowd cheers with excitement.

Dependent clauses

A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. Because it cannot stand alone as a sentence, it depends on an independent clause to give it meaning.

Here are a few key points about dependent clauses:

1. Incomplete Thought: A dependent clause leaves the reader wanting more information. For example, “Because I was late” is a dependent clause that needs an independent clause to complete the thought, such as “Because I was late, I missed the bus.”
2. Subordinating Conjunctions: Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like “because,” “although,” “if,” “when,” and “since.” These words link the dependent clause to the main clause.
3. Types of Dependent Clauses:
   • Relative clauses (adjective clauses): Describe a noun and usually start with relative pronouns like “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” or “that.” Example: “The book that you gave me is fascinating.”
   • Subordinating clauses (adverb clauses): Describe a verb, adjective, or another adverb and answer questions like why, when, where, and how. Example: “I will call you when I arrive.”
   • Nominal (noun) clauses: Act as a noun in the sentence and can be a subject, object, or complement. Example: “What you said was surprising.”