Independent Clause: contains a subject and a verb, but also forms a complete thought. Can stand alone as a simple sentence (a sensible and complete one). Dependent Clause(a.k.a. subordinate clause): contains a subject and a verb, BUT does NOT form a complete thought and cannot be a stand-alone sentence on its own.
the only thing that distinguishes the independent and the dependent clause is the presence of a subordinating conjunction. E.g. Independent clause: We arrived home early.
Dependent clause: when we arrived home early
Complete sentence: My husband was surprised when we arrived home early.
or
Independent clause: The weather forecast shows rain.
Dependent clause: although the weather forecast shows rain
Complete Sentence: Although the weather forecast shows rain, we are still going ahead with our plans fo the hike.
Subordinating Conjunction: connecting words used to join a subordinate/dependent clause to the main clause.These include: after, although, as, as if, because, before, how, if, since, than, though, unless, until, when, where, & while.
Coordinating Conjunction: serve as connecting words (used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal, these can either be just a single word or can be clauses).These are: and, but, for, or, nor, yet, & so.
Conjunctive Adverb: an adverb used to modify two independent clauses and join them together (functioning more like a conjunction than an adverb). These include: still, accordingly, also, besides, consequently, furhtermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, then, therefore, & thus.
Subordinating Conjunction: a word/phrase that links the independent and the dependent clause, showing that the clause has informative value to add to the main idea of the sentence (illustrates a cause-and-effect relationship, or a shift in time and place between the independent and dependent clause).These include: after, although, even though, though as, as if, as though, as long as, because, before, if so, so that, since, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, & while.
So, here it goes:To Combine Two Independent Clauses
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction.-> Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.
E.g. I was tired after working all day, so I decided to go to bed early.
Use a semicolon between two independent clauses with no coordinating conjunction. -> Independent clause; independent clause.
E.g. I was tired from working all day; I decided to go to bed early.
Use a semicolon before and a comma after a conjunctive adverb-> Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.
E.g. I was tired from working all day; therefore, I decided to go to bed early.
To Combine Independent Clauses with Dependent Clauses
When the dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and precedes (comes before) the independent clause, separate the clauses with a comma.-> Subordinating conjunction dependent clause, independent clause.
E.g. Since I was tired, I decided to go to bed.
When the dependent/subordinate clause follows the independent clause, do not use a comma before or after the subordinating conjunction. -> Independent clause subordinating conjunction dependent clause.
E.g. I decided to go to bed early since I was tired.
Does anyone have additional advice, corrections, or insights?
Thank you.
