Page 3 - Notes and Mind Map

Independent Clause
An independent clause functions on its own to make a meaningful sentence and looks much
like a regular sentence. An independent clause is a complete sentence; it contains a subject
and verb and expresses a complete thought in both context and meaning.

In a sentence two independent clauses can be connected by the coordinators: and, but, so, or,

nor, for*, yet*.
For example: The door opened.

Independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction to form compound
sentences.

CO-ORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

and but for

or nor so

yet

For example: Take two independent clauses and join them together with the conjunction and:
" The door opened." "The man walked in." = The door opened and the man walked in.

Example:
o He is a wise man.

o I like him.
o Can you do it?
o Do it please. (Subject you is hidden)
o I read the whole story.
o I want to buy a phone, but I don‟t have enough money. (Two independent clauses)

o He went to London and visited the Lords. (Subject of the second clause is „he,' so “he
visited the Lords” is an independent clause.)
o Alex smiles whenever he sees her. (One independent clause)

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause cannot function on its own because it leaves an idea or thought
unfinished. It is also called subordinate clause. Dependent clauses help the independent
clauses complete the sentence. A dependent clause alone cannot form a complete sentence. A

dependent (subordinate) clause is part of a sentence; it contains a subject and verb but does