What is an Independent Clause? Independent Clause Examples

All sentences are made up of one or more clauses. Some clauses are dependent, while others are independent.

What Is an Independent Clause?

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb or verb phrase. Unlike a dependent clause, an independent clause (also known as a main clause) expresses a complete thought. It can either stand as a sentence by itself or be combined with one or more dependent or independent clauses to form a sentence. Even when an independent clause is joined with other clauses, it is capable of standing on its own as a sentence.

Independent Clause Examples:

Mom took the car to get fixed.

(Mom took the car to get fixed is an independent clause. It contains the subject Mom and the verb took. The clause expresses a complete thought and stands on its own as a sentence.)

Gabriel is playing with toys in his room.

(Gabriel is playing with toys in his room is an independent clause. It contains the subject Gabriel and the verb phrase is playing. The clause expresses a complete thought and stands on its own as a sentence.)
What is an Independent Clause?
( I will wait to buy a car is an independent clause. It contains the subject I and the verb phrase will wait. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Nate will be late for the concert because he can’t get a ride right away.

( Nate will be late for the concert is an independent clause. It contains the subject Nate and the verb phrase will be. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

While Ana hesitated to share her opinion with her manager, she did it anyway.

( She did it anyway is an independent clause. It contains the subject she and the verb did. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

The quarterback dropped the football after he got sacked.

( The quarterback dropped the football is an independent clause. It contains the subject quarterback and the verb dropped. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

( We will surprise her with a birthday party is an independent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase will surprise. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Even though it rained during our vacation, we still had a good time.

( We still had a good time is an independent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb had. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Before Natasha takes her driving test, she needs to practice more.

( She needs to practice more is an independent clause. It contains the subject she and the verb needs. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

The cake burned because I forgot to take it out of the oven on time.

( The cake burned is an independent clause. It contains the subject cake and the verb burned. The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

We are going to bike along the lakeshore for 10 miles, and then we will return.

( We are going to bike along the lakeshore for 10 miles is an independent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase are going. Then we will return is another independent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase will return. Both clauses express a complete thought and can stand on their own as a sentence.)

José is playing baseball at the park, but he should be home soon.

( José is playing baseball at the park is an independent clause. It contains the subject José and the verb phrase is playing. He should be home soon is another independent clause. It contains the subject he and the verb phrase should be. Both clauses express a complete thought and can stand on their own as a sentence.)