Dependant Clause And Independent Clause Examples

Let's explore the world of clauses! Clauses are the fundamental building blocks of sentences, and understanding the difference between dependent and independent clauses is crucial for crafting clear, grammatically sound, and engaging writing. This article will delve into the definitions, characteristics, and usage of these two types of clauses, providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding.

Independent Clause: A Complete Thought

An independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. In essence, it can stand alone as a sentence. Think of it as a self-sufficient unit of meaning.

Characteristics of an Independent Clause:

Subject: Every independent clause has a subject, which is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb.
Verb: It also includes a verb, which indicates the action or state of being of the subject.
Complete Thought: Most importantly, an independent clause expresses a complete idea that makes sense on its own.
Capitalization & Punctuation: Begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

Independent Clause Examples:

Let's look at some examples to illustrate these characteristics:

The dog barked.
- Subject: dog
- Verb: barked
- Complete Thought: Yes, we know what the dog did.
She is reading a book.
- Subject: She
- Verb: is reading
- Complete Thought: Yes, we know what she's doing.
We went to the park, and we had a picnic.
- This example contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ("and").
- First Independent Clause: We went to the park (Subject: We, Verb: went)
- Second Independent Clause: we had a picnic (Subject: we, Verb: had)
The sun is shining; the birds are singing.
- Again, two independent clauses, this time joined by a semicolon.
- First Independent Clause: The sun is shining (Subject: sun, Verb: is shining)
- Second Independent Clause: the birds are singing (Subject: birds, Verb: are singing)
I am tired, so I will go to bed.
- Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ("so").
- First Independent Clause: I am tired (Subject: I, Verb: am)
- Second Independent Clause: I will go to bed (Subject: I, Verb: will go)
My friend loves to paint, and she sells her artwork online.
- First Independent Clause: My friend loves to paint (Subject: friend, Verb: loves)
- Second Independent Clause: She sells her artwork online (Subject: She, Verb: sells)
The rain stopped, and the sun came out.
- First Independent Clause: The rain stopped (Subject: rain, Verb: stopped)
- Second Independent Clause: The sun came out (Subject: sun, Verb: came)
He studied hard for the exam, but he still didn't pass.
- First Independent Clause: He studied hard for the exam (Subject: He, Verb: studied)
- Second Independent Clause: he still didn't pass (Subject: he, Verb: didn't pass)
The coffee is hot; be careful when you drink it.
- First Independent Clause: The coffee is hot (Subject: coffee, Verb: is)
- Second Independent Clause: be careful when you drink it (Subject: you, Verb: be)
She sings beautifully, and she plays the guitar too.
- First Independent Clause: She sings beautifully (Subject: She, Verb: sings)
- Second Independent Clause: she plays the guitar too (Subject: she, Verb: plays)

Dependent Clause: An Incomplete Thought

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. It relies on an independent clause to make sense and cannot stand alone as a sentence. Think of it as a fragment that needs to be attached to something whole.

Characteristics of a Dependent Clause:

Subject: Like independent clauses, dependent clauses have a subject.
Verb: They also have a verb.
Incomplete Thought: The key difference is that they don't express a complete idea on their own. They leave the reader wanting more information.
Subordinating Word: Often (but not always) begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Types of Dependent Clauses:

Dependent clauses can be categorized into three main types based on their function within the sentence:

Adjective Clauses: These clauses modify nouns or pronouns, just like adjectives.
Adverb Clauses: These clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, just like adverbs.
Noun Clauses: These clauses function as nouns within the sentence; they can act as subjects, objects, or complements.

Dependent Clause Examples:

Let's explore each type of dependent clause with illustrative examples:

1. Adjective Clauses:

Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose) or relative adverbs (where, when, why). They provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.

The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.
- Dependent Clause: that I borrowed from the library
- Relative Pronoun: that
- Noun Modified: book
The woman who is wearing the red dress is my sister.
- Dependent Clause: who is wearing the red dress
- Relative Pronoun: who
- Noun Modified: woman
This is the house where I grew up.
- Dependent Clause: where I grew up
- Relative Adverb: where
- Noun Modified: house
The reason why I'm late is because of the traffic.
- Dependent Clause: why I'm late
- Relative Adverb: why
- Noun Modified: reason
The student whose essay won the competition received a scholarship.
- Dependent Clause: whose essay won the competition
- Relative Pronoun: whose
- Noun Modified: student
The movie which we watched last night was amazing.
- Dependent Clause: which we watched last night
- Relative Pronoun: which
- Noun Modified: movie

2. Adverb Clauses:

Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, where, while. They modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs in the main clause, providing information about time, reason, condition, contrast, or place.

** Because it was raining, we stayed inside.**
- Dependent Clause: Because it was raining
- Subordinating Conjunction: Because
- Word Modified: stayed (verb)
** If you study hard, you will pass the exam.**
- Dependent Clause: If you study hard
- Subordinating Conjunction: If
- Word Modified: will pass (verb)
He arrived after the meeting had already started.
- Dependent Clause: after the meeting had already started
- Subordinating Conjunction: after
- Word Modified: arrived (verb)
** Although she was tired, she finished her work.**
- Dependent Clause: Although she was tired
- Subordinating Conjunction: Although
- Word Modified: finished (verb)
I will call you when I get home.
- Dependent Clause: when I get home
- Subordinating Conjunction: when
- Word Modified: will call (verb)
** As the sun set, the sky turned orange.**
- Dependent Clause: As the sun set
- Subordinating Conjunction: As
- Word Modified: turned (verb)
She sang while she cooked.
- Dependent Clause: while she cooked
- Subordinating Conjunction: while
- Word Modified: sang (verb)
They went to the beach where they used to play as children.
- Dependent Clause: where they used to play as children
- Subordinating Conjunction: where
- Word Modified: went (verb)
** Since you're here, you can help me with this project.**
- Dependent Clause: Since you're here
- Subordinating Conjunction: Since
- Word Modified: can help (verb)

3. Noun Clauses:

Noun clauses function as nouns within a sentence. They can act as subjects, objects, predicate nominatives, or appositives. They are often introduced by words like that, what, whatever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, which, whichever, when, where, why, how, if, whether.

** What she said surprised everyone.**
- Dependent Clause: What she said
- Function: Subject of the verb "surprised"
I don't know what I should do.
- Dependent Clause: what I should do
- Function: Direct object of the verb "know"
The question is whether we can afford it.
- Dependent Clause: whether we can afford it
- Function: Predicate nominative (renames "question")
** Whoever wins will receive a prize.**
- Dependent Clause: Whoever wins
- Function: Subject of the verb "will receive"
Give it to whomever you choose.
- Dependent Clause: whomever you choose
- Function: Object of the preposition "to"
I am interested in how they solved the problem.
- Dependent Clause: how they solved the problem
- Function: Object of the preposition "in"
** That he is innocent is clear to everyone.**
- Dependent Clause: That he is innocent
- Function: Subject of the verb "is"
She asked me if I was going to the party.
- Dependent Clause: if I was going to the party
- Function: Direct object of the verb "asked"
This is where the treasure is buried.
- Dependent Clause: where the treasure is buried
- Function: Predicate nominative (renames "this")

Combining Independent and Dependent Clauses:

The real power of clauses comes from combining them to create complex and nuanced sentences. Here's how to connect independent and dependent clauses effectively:

Using Subordinating Conjunctions: When a dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction, it can come either before or after the independent clause. If the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, you typically need a comma to separate them.
- Example: Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (Dependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clause)
- Example: We stayed inside because it was raining. (Independent Clause + Dependent Clause – no comma needed)
Using Relative Pronouns/Adverbs: Adjective clauses always follow the noun or pronoun they modify. Commas are used depending on whether the clause is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) to the meaning of the sentence.
- Essential Clause (no commas): The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. (The specific book is identified by the clause.)
- Nonessential Clause (commas): My car, which is very old, still runs well. (The clause provides extra information but isn't crucial for identifying the car.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Sentence Fragments: Avoid using a dependent clause as a sentence on its own. This creates a fragment.
- Incorrect: Because it was raining. (Dependent clause alone)
- Correct: Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (Dependent clause + independent clause)
Comma Splices: Avoid joining two independent clauses with only a comma. Use a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or make them separate sentences.
- Incorrect: The sun is shining, the birds are singing. (Comma splice)
- Correct: The sun is shining, and the birds are singing. (Comma + coordinating conjunction)
- Correct: The sun is shining; the birds are singing. (Semicolon)
- Correct: The sun is shining. The birds are singing. (Two separate sentences)
Misplaced Modifiers: Ensure that adjective clauses are placed close to the noun or pronoun they modify to avoid confusion.
- Awkward: I saw a dog running down the street that was brown and white. (It sounds like the street is brown and white.)
- Better: I saw a dog that was brown and white running down the street. (The clause clearly modifies the dog.)

Practice Exercises:

To solidify your understanding, try these exercises:

Identify the independent and dependent clauses in the following sentences:
- Although I was tired, I went to the gym.
- The movie, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, was a blockbuster hit.
- What you said made me think.
- She went to the store because she needed milk.
- The man who is standing over there is my teacher.
Combine the following sentences using dependent clauses:
- I went to the store. I needed milk.
- The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg. It was a blockbuster hit.
- She is my teacher. He is standing over there.

Conclusion: Mastering Clauses for Effective Communication

Understanding the difference between dependent and independent clauses is a cornerstone of effective writing. By mastering the structure and function of these clauses, you can create sentences that are clear, concise, and engaging. Pay attention to the placement of clauses, the use of punctuation, and the overall flow of your writing. With practice, you'll be able to wield the power of clauses to express your ideas with precision and impact. Good luck, and happy writing!