independent clause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "independent clause" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in grammar to refer to a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: "In the sentence 'She enjoys reading, and he likes writing,' both 'She enjoys reading' and 'he likes writing' are independent clauses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

L. 97 290 designated first independent clause of second sentence of existing provisions as subsec.

Cornell University

L. 97 290 designated second independent clause of second sentence of existing provisions as subsec.

Cornell University

4.Place a Comma before a Conjunction Introducing an Independent Clause.

Stanford University

It is only God that is a noun, you are a dependent clause not an independent clause.

Stanford University

7.Use a Colon after an Independent Clause to Introduce a List of Particulars, an Appositive, an Amplification, or an Illustrative Question.

Stanford University

Incidentally, the definition of a "subordinating conjunction", if you're wondering, is a conjunction (that is "a part of speech that connects words, sentences, phrases, or clauses") that "connects an independent clause and a dependent clause, and also introduces adverb clauses".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Independent clauses are great; try joining them with a semicolon.

The Guardian - Books

Independent clauses are great but don't mash them together.

The Guardian - Books

Independent clauses are great don't mash them together.

The Guardian - Books

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses.

Stanford University

5.Do Not Join Independent Clauses with a Comma.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that an "independent clause" must contain both a subject and a verb to express a complete thought.

Common error

Avoid using a comma to join two "independent clauses" without a coordinating conjunction. This creates a comma splice, which should be corrected with a semicolon, a conjunction, or by separating the clauses into two sentences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "independent clause" is to define a type of clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. This definition is crucial in understanding sentence structure and grammatical correctness, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

Wiki

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "independent clause" is a fundamental grammatical term used to describe a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in academic, educational, and scientific contexts. Being able to identify "independent clauses" is crucial for avoiding common writing errors such as comma splices. While "main clause" or "standalone clause" can serve as alternatives, "independent clause" remains the most precise and widely recognized term for this grammatical concept. Furthermore, various authoritative sources frequently employ it, reinforcing its significance in formal language and grammatical analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main clause

Focuses on the primary clause in a sentence, often interchangeable with "independent clause".

standalone clause

Emphasizes the ability of the clause to function as a complete sentence on its own.

principal clause

Similar to "main clause", indicating the most important clause in a sentence.

matrix clause

Refers to the main clause within which other clauses are embedded, a more technical term.

sentence clause

Highlights that the clause can function as a complete sentence.

unsubordinated clause

Indicates a clause that is not dependent on another clause.

coordinate clause

One of two or more clauses of equal grammatical rank in a compound sentence.

complete sentence component

A more descriptive term emphasizing the clause's role in forming a complete sentence.

self-contained clause

Similar to 'standalone clause', stressing the clause's completeness.

finite clause

A clause that contains a verb that shows tense, number, and person.

FAQs

How can I identify an "independent clause" in a sentence?

An "independent clause" contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. For example, in the sentence "She reads books, and he writes articles," "She reads books" is an "independent clause".

What is the difference between an "independent clause" and a dependent clause?

An "independent clause" can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot. A dependent clause relies on an "independent clause" to form a complete sentence. For example, "because it was raining" is a dependent clause, while "I took an umbrella" is an "independent clause".

When should I use a semicolon to connect "independent clauses"?

Use a semicolon to connect two closely related "independent clauses" when you want to show a close relationship between the ideas but don't want to use a coordinating conjunction. For example: "The sun was shining; the birds were singing."

What are some common errors to avoid when writing with "independent clauses"?

A common error is creating a comma splice by joining two "independent clauses" with only a comma. Another error is failing to ensure that each "independent clause" has a clear subject and verb. To fix a comma splice, you can use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or), or separate the clauses into two sentences.