Independent and Dependent Clauses
Independent Clause (IC): A group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. (IC)
Dependent Clause (DC): A group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a complete sentence.
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.... (DC)
The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, nor, so, and yet.
Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.
Some common independent markers include the following: also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.
When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.
Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise. (IM)
Some common dependent markers include the following: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Example: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy. (DM)
Proper Punctuation Methods
IC. IC. I went to the store. I didn’t buy any bread.
IC; IC. I went to the store; I didn’t buy any bread.
IC, CC IC. I went to the store, but I didn’t buy any bread.
IC; IM, IC. I went to the store; however, I didn’t buy any bread.
DC, IC. When I went to the store, I didn’t buy any bread.
IC DC. I didn’t buy any bread when I went to the store.
Some Common Errors to Avoid
Comma Splice Error: The use of a comma between two independent clauses.
You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period, making the two
clauses into two separate sentences, or by changing the comma to a semicolon.
Or you can make one clause dependent.
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Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.
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Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting. Correct: I like this class; it is very interesting. Correct: I like this class because it is very interesting. |
Fused Sentence Error: Two independent clauses not separated by any form
of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error
can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate
the two sentences.
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Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I’ve learned a lot from her.
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Correct: My professor is intelligent. I’ve learned a lot from her. Correct: My professor is intelligent; I’ve learned a lot from her. |
Sentence Fragment Error: Treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.
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Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today. |
Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn’t study. |
This document is part of a collection of instructional materials used in the Purdue University Writing Lab. <http://owl.english.pudue.edu>