An independent clause, also known as a main clause, is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Unlike a dependent clause, an independent clause can be a grammatically complete sentence.
Here are a few examples of independent clauses:
- She went to the store.
- The sun was shining brightly.
- They finished the project ahead of schedule.
In each of these examples, the independent clause forms a complete idea and can function as a standalone sentence. Independent clauses are the building blocks of sentences and provide the main ideas or statements in written communication. Sentences can consist of a single independent clause or a combination of independent and dependent clauses to create more complex structures.