Independent Clauses
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. It is the simplest type of sentence that conveys a definite idea.
Examples:
- She dances. (Here, “She” is the subject, and “dances” is the verb.)
- The sun set in the west. (This clause includes a subject “The sun” and a verb “set”, and it presents a complete thought or idea.)
Key Characteristics:
- Complete Thought: Unlike dependent clauses, independent clauses can stand on their own.
- Simple Sentence: It constitutes a simple sentence when it stands alone.
- Multiple Independent Clauses: They can be joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) forming compound sentences. For instance, “She dances, and he sings.”
Dependent/Subordinate Clauses
A dependent, or subordinate, clause also contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence and is dependent on an independent clause to give it meaning.
Examples:
- Because she dances gracefully. (This clause has a subject “she” and a verb “dances” but it leaves the thought incomplete.)
- Although it was raining. (This is an incomplete thought without an accompanying independent clause.)
Key Characteristics:
- Incomplete Thought: Cannot stand alone; it leaves the reader/listener wanting more information.
- Subordinators: Begins with subordinating conjunctions like because, since, unless, although, etc.
- Purpose: Often used to convey conditions, reasons, time, contrast, and comparisons.
- Examples in Sentences:
- “Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.”
- “Because she was late, she missed the bus.”
Relative Clauses
A relative clause gives additional information about a noun in a sentence. It usually begins with a relative pronoun such as who, which, that, whose, or whom.
Types:
- Defining Relative Clauses: They specify the noun and often have no commas. For instance, “The man who called yesterday is my uncle.”
- Non-defining Relative Clauses: Provide extra information that can be omitted without losing meaning, and they are usually set off by commas. For example, “My uncle, who is a doctor, called yesterday.”
Examples:
- The book that you lent me was fascinating. (”that you lent me” is a defining relative clause that specifies which book)
- My sister, who lives in New York, is coming to visit. (”who lives in New York” adds extra information about “my sister”)
Key Characteristics:
- Modifies Nouns: Provides more detail about a noun, making the sentence informative.
- Relative Pronouns: Connects the clause to the noun.
- Non-essential Information: In non-defining relative clauses, the information can often be considered extra or supplementary.