What is an independent clause?

A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb, or recognized as a part of a sentence. A group of words that can stand by itself, have a subject and verb, and make a complete statement in a sentence is defined as an Independent Clause. Other groups of words that cannot stand-alone or does not have a subject and verb are dependant clauses. One way to help distinguish between an independent and dependant clause is to ask who, what, when or where after reading the sentence.

Example 1:

Micheal Vick surpassed all expectation in the National Football League, but did not make it to the Superbowl.

• If asked, “Who surpassed all expectations?” the answer will be Micheal Vick. Therefore, the first group of words is an independent clause and can stand alone as a complete sentence.(Micheal Vick is the subject and surpassed is the verb)

• In the second group of words, ask, “Who did not make it?” The only way to find out who is to look back into the first group of words (Micheal Vick did not make it). Therefore, the last group of words is dependant on the first group; the last group would be considered a dependent clause.