independent clause

Examples of independent clause in the following topics:

• Semicolons

  • Semicolons are used to link related clauses and to separate clauses that contain additional punctuation.
  • Semicolons, like colons and commas, indicate pauses within a sentence to show relationships between words and clauses.
  • Semicolons can join closely related independent clauses that are not linked with a coordinating conjunction:
  • Semicolons can also be used between independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb.
  • In some style guides, such as APA, however, the first word of the joined independent clause should be capitalized.

• Using Varied Sentence Lengths and Styles

  • The two main categories of clauses are independent clauses and subordinate (or dependent) clauses.
  • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
  • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
  • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
  • This sentence contains two independent clauses (one before and one after the comma) and each independent clause contains a subordinate clause ("what you eat" and "what you are").

• Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

  • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (or in other words, two clauses that each express a complete thought and could stand on its own as a full sentence) are joined only by a comma instead of an acceptable form of punctuation, such as a comma with a coordinating conjunction, a period or a semicolon.
  • Once you discover where the two independent clauses are "spliced," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses:
  • While a run-on sentence, also known as a fused sentence, might just seem like a type of sentence that goes on and on without a clear point, the technical grammatical definition of a run-on sentence is one that fuses, or "runs together," two or more independent clauses without using punctuation to separate them.
  • Run-on sentences may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany the coordinating conjunction in order to separate two independent clauses.
  • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses.

• Common Comma Mistakes

  • Do not use a comma before a dependent clause that comes after an independent clause.
  • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (that is, two complete sentences) are joined only by a comma.
  • Once you discover where the two independent clauses are "spliced," there are several ways to separate them.
  • The independent clauses may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany it to separate the independent clauses.
  • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can decide how best to separate the clauses.

• Introduction to Commas

  • Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that separates two independent clauses.
  • When joining two independent clauses, or clauses that could stand on their own as full sentences, place a comma before the conjunction.
  • If the second independent clause is very short, or if it is an imperative, the comma can be omitted.
  • Both clauses are independent and could stand on their own as complete sentences.
  • Only use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause if the dependent clause is first!

• Structure of a Sentence

  • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
  • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
  • "However," "nonetheless," and "still" are often used as qualifiers between independent clauses.
  • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
  • This sentence contains two independent clauses (one before and one after the comma), and each independent clause contains a subordinate clause ("what you eat" and "what you are").

• Components of a Sentence

  • (adjective clause)
  • If the clause could stand by itself—that is, form a complete sentence with punctuation—we call it an independent clause.
  • The following are independent clauses:
  • We could easily turn independent clauses into complete sentences by adding appropriate punctuation marks.
  • We call them independent because these types of clauses can stand by themselves, without any extra words attached, and be complete sentences.

• Promoting the General Welfare

  • Such clauses are generally interpreted as granting the state broad power to legislate or regulate for the general welfare, remaining independent of other powers specified in the governing document.
  • The Preamble of the United States Constitution states that the Union was established "to promote the general Welfare. " The Taxing and Spending Clause is the clause that gives the federal government of the United States its power of taxation.
  • There have been different interpretations of the meaning of the General Welfare clause.
  • General Welfare clause arises from two distinct disagreements: The first concerns whether the General Welfare clause grants an independent spending power or is a restriction upon the taxing power; the second disagreement pertains to what exactly is meant by the phrase "general welfare. "
  • Illustrate how the General Welfare clause of the Constitution is applied to public policy

• The Establishment Clause: Separation of Church and State

  • The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. " Together with the Free Exercise Clause ("... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"), these two clauses make up what are called the "religion clauses" of the First Amendment.
  • Their opponents emphasize what they see as the largely Christian heritage and history of the nation (often citing the references to "Nature's God" and the "Creator" of men in the Declaration of Independence).
  • One main question of the Establishment Clause is: does government financial assistance to religious groups violate the Establishment Clause?
  • Weisman (1992), the Court ruled prayer established by a principal at a middle school graduation was also unconstitutional, and in Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v.
  • Distinguish the Establishment Clause from other clauses of the First Amendment

• Moods in Dependent Clauses