Independent and Dependent Clauses

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: 'I wore a sweater to school today.'

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It must be joined with an independent clause. Example: 'because I got in trouble.'

Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or equal. The main coordinating conjunctions are: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS).

The independent clause is 'I went to the principal.'

The dependent clause is 'because they figured out he failed his math test.'

A dependent clause provides additional information but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause.

A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Example: 'Although it was raining, I went for a walk.' (Independent: 'I went for a walk.' Dependent: 'Although it was raining.')

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause.

Example: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.' (Dependent clause: 'When the sun sets.')