Questions tagged [independent-clauses]
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Confused, whether both the clauses are independent
In the sentence are both the clauses independent?
Surely Isabella had not told him that she was an engaged woman; otherwise, he would not have flattered her with so much attention (Norhtanger Abbey,...
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1answer
26 views
Should two independent clauses separated by “and” also have a comma even when used in parantheses with the phrase “you know”?
My question deals specifically with this example:
I was extremely excited, so it was hard for me even to grab the doorknob and turn it—I kept on missing and my hand was shaking, you see—but once I ...
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1answer
32 views
Can “A case in point is Japan” be use as a dependent clause of a sentence?
My sentence in full length is "A case in point is Japan, they have experienced a drop of TFR from 3.44 in 1950 to only 1.55 in 2015."
Divide the sentence by comma into two parts, I would like to ...
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1answer
31 views
Is this a complete sentence? Using colons
The sentence I saw: "The eggs benedict should include the following ingredients: poached eggs, English muffins, bacon, and hollandaise sauce."
But colons must follow an independent clause. So does ...
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1answer
62 views
Independent and dependent clauses classification
"What you see is what you get". In this sentence, there are two noun clauses: 1. What you see, and 2. What you get. Obviously enough, it's a complex sentence. I want to know which one is the ...
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1answer
26 views
Independent Clause or not [closed]
Would this be an independent clause:
"This had little noticeable effect on our demographic".
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4answers
115 views
Difference between dependent and independent clauses
In the sentence "It's raining, but I'm happy," "but" is a coordinating conjunction. Both of the clauses are independent, right?
However, doesn't "I'm happy even though it's raining" mean the same ...
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1answer
48 views
Limitations of Subordination and Nested Clauses
I'm an English teacher who often has to grapple with explaining to students the complexity of clause structure in English, and after reading an article about various 'longest sentences' in fiction, I ...
2
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1answer
60 views
Is there a hard rule for where commas go when there seems to be two independent clauses but there's only one subject?
Actually, my question is a perfect example -
"Is there a hard rule for where commas go when there SEEMS to be two independent clauses but there's only one subject?"
This one seems easy to me, in ...
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1answer
69 views
Is this example correct? (omitting subject in compound sentence)
Had an argument with my colleague regarding the example from "Advanced Grammar in Use" by Martin Hewings:
In two years time Morneau will have been acting for 50 years, and
shows no signs of ...
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2answers
129 views
Independent clauses
Textbooks tell you that an independent clause must have a subject, verb and express a complete thought (or stand alone). However, I'm confused why the following examples below are considered to be ...
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3answers
122 views
Is this an independent or dependent clause?
Look at the following example
'But she was so tired, she did not finish painting.'
Is the first clause an independent or dependent clause?
If it is an independent clause, should I remove the comma ...
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1answer
39 views
Are these clauses independent?
I work as an editor for a technical firm, and I'm struggling with figuring out if this sentence and others like it need a comma:
"Very limited grading is necessary to achieve the proposed grades ...
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1answer
58 views
Question Regarding Comma vs Colon
Consider the following sentence:
In 2013 Tallinn, Estonia, instituted fare-free rides for city residents (becoming the largest city in the world to do so), but car use in Tallinn has only slightly ...
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1answer
100 views
Dependent clause w/list *comma or semicolon* followed by independent clause
Should we use a semicolon or comma when an adverbial dependent clause containing a list is followed by an independent clause?
While not everyone is a Newton, Einstein, or Hawking, every one of them ...
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0answers
261 views
Why isn’t this instance of “so” preceded by a comma even though it’s beginning a new independent clause?
William Strunk writes in the 1914 edition of his Elements of Style:
Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause.
...
Two-part sentences of which the second member ...
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2answers
403 views
That we know of yet
The movie 'Lady Bird' has this conversation:
(Please click on it and listen to the clip starting at 2:16)
Christine McPherson: What I'd really like is to be on Math Olympiad.
Teacher: But math ...
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2answers
677 views
Comma before a coordinating conjunction in compound-complex sentences?
As far as I know, it’s a rule that a comma is needed before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses. But the use of a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two ...
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2answers
119 views
Joining two independent clauses that contain relevant information
It's been a few years since I took grammar writing, so I'm kinda rusty with my comma skills. I know that one of the comma rules is that two independent clauses must be joined with a comma, however, it ...
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122 views
Does this paragraph contain a comma error?
Should there be a comma before the coordinating conjunction 'and' in this paragraph?
"The High court determined that no contract
existed between the two parties because under an objective
standard, a ...
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0answers
452 views
Should I put a comma after “is” if it's followed by a prepositional phrase?
My thought is, if we are going to bring people to the table, that there will also be an opportunity for them.
I can't rearrange the sentence because I'm doing verbatim transcription.
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1answer
437 views
Is there a comma before “and why?” at the end of a question?
If so, would I also put commas if a question ended with "why or why not?"
Ex: Are you going to bake cookies, and why, or why not?
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1answer
208 views
What makes the two clauses in this sentence independent clauses?
As I understand it, an independent clause can make sense without depending on another clause or sentence.
However, in the example I'm looking at, they've stated that these are independent clauses, ...
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1answer
102 views
Is this an independent or a dependent clause?
Is this an independent or a dependent clause?
You will have to fly from Copenhagen.
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2answers
233 views
Can a verb then preposition then noun make an independent clause? [closed]
Can a verb then preposition then noun make an independent clause?
e.g.
he ignored how much it hurt, and the fear of death.
or
he prayed for miracles, and the love of god.
I've tried to make ...
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1answer
347 views
Commas to separate two phrases separated by conjunctions
So I was studying for the grammar (English) section of the ACT, and I discovered what seems to be a serious gap in my knowledge. In one particular section, there were 4 questions that I got wrong - ...
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2answers
373 views
Can we use “this is” as a main clause? And can an independent clause start with the word “then”?
This is because they have already gone home.
In this sentence "because they have already gone home" is an dependent clause of independent clause "this is". Here my doubt is "this is" a main ...
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36 views
Do you always need a comma before 'and' when there are two independent clauses? [duplicate]
I thought the answer was yes. Threads on this site in indicate the answer is yes....but then I frequently see constructions like this on news sites from writers I'd assume would be implementing ...
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4answers
357 views
What is the conceptual distinction between coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions?
While it is easy enough to identify coordinating and subordinating conjunctions by memorizing lists of them, the actual distinction seems arbitrary. Coordinating conjunctions are said to join (among ...
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1answer
4k views
The comma in the phrase “all day, every day” and more
Whenever I read anything, I often notice these commas in between dependent clauses. Are they correct? The answer I'm not looking for is along the lines of, "That's just where you pause."
Here are a ...
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1answer
605 views
Are all independent clauses sentences?
She went to the doctor; she felt sick.
I understand that independent clauses can stand alone as sentences. But, would it be incorrect to say that an independent clause is not a sentence because it's ...
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2answers
511 views
Can a compound sentence have an implied second subject?
I've been learning about compound sentences recently while writing a web serial and came across this sentence in one of my chapters (for context, Ralphie is a superhero who has just been told the ...
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0answers
336 views
Can colons and semicolons be interchangeable in joining independent clauses?
I understand that colons can join two independent clauses if the second independent clause expands on or explains the first. I understand that semicolons can join two independent clauses if they are ...
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1answer
37 views
Does putting a how before an independent clause make it dependent?
I'm wondering if putting a "how" before an independent clause somehow makes it dependent.
Example: John questioned societal norms, and how those norms affected the students.
or
Example: John ...
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0answers
331 views
Is “the phenomenon that a conductor experiences a force in a magnetic field” grammatically correct?
The full sentence is:
[The Motor Effect is:] The phenomenon that a current-carrying
conductor experiences a force in an external magnetic field.
My Physics teacher says that it sounds clunky.
...
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1answer
4k views
Is a comma required between two independent clauses?
I read an article online, and the article has the following sentence.
I love the city and I have a special fondness for the people of Lafayette
How come the writer did not separate the two ...
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1answer
197 views
Adverbial conjunction with two independent clauses (U.S English)
Edit: This question is for U.S English as I know that coordinating conjunctions in British English don't need a comma.
After reading an article about adverbial conjunctions, I've noticed a peculiar ...
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2answers
310 views
Does this sentence contain two independent clauses?
I am trying to determine how to write the following sentence correctly:
"We all have goals we would like to accomplish and dreams we would like to fulfill."
I am not sure if I should add a comma ...
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1answer
339 views
Dependent clause *comma* independent clause *comma?* *coordinating conjunction* independent clause
I have a sentence that starts with a dependent clause, followed by an independent clause and another independent clause, but I'm not sure if a comma would be required before the coordinating ...
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3answers
278 views
how does this sentence need a comma?
I do not like biology nor do I like chemistry.
"do I like chemistry," being the independent clause doesn't make sense to me on its own.
If my grammar/punctuation in this question is incorrect, ...
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770 views
How do you identify independent and dependent clauses? (with example)
Consider these four examples:
(1) I come bearing soup, and Kate is sick.
(2) I come bearing soup, for Kate is sick.
(3) I come bearing soup because Kate is sick.
(4) Kate is sick, so ...
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1answer
291 views
Punctuation of successive imperative sentences [closed]
I was wondering whether the following sentences are punctuated properly:
To show this, multiply the ODE by x; integrate over x, and perform repeated integration by parts, it then follows that: f=0.
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1answer
92 views
Where is the line drawn with comma splices?
I was going to ask: where is the line drawn between parentheticals and comma splices?
I've been trying to think of examples, and all the ones I've thought of seem okay, but probably work in a third ...
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1answer
2k views
What's this syntax called: “Him being the nice person he is, helped her.”?
Or "He, being the nice person that he is, helped her."
Which one is correct and what's the construction called?
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1answer
158 views
Would I need a gerund to make this sentence correct?
I have lived my entire life in the United States, and to learn more
about the life my parents had lived as children was an incredible experience.
However, I then asked, "What was an incredible ...
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2answers
3k views
Comma usage with one subject, multiple verbs, and multiple objects
Just got a writing job, part of which involves editing. There's a pretty specific type of sentence that's coming up a lot, and I'm not sure if a comma is required or not.
The sentences look like this:...
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3answers
7k views
'Implied subject' independent sentences and commas
I've been reading Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, in which this rule is outlined:
Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause.
Examples: The early records of the city ...
2
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1answer
149 views
Which independent clause should a sentence immediately following a coordination of the two independent clauses be interpreted to refer to?
Consider the following coordination of two independent clauses (joined by "but"):
Homework is due in my office hour on Tuesday, but (emphasis added) you may hand it to me earlier, e.g., in lecture ...
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3answers
376 views
Can a comma be put before but if it starts a dependent clause?
If the dependent clause is nonessential, of course. For example:
There were other conspicuously terrifying moments during the ride but not any more terrifying than that one.
or
There were other ...
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3answers
684 views
How do you punctuate items in a series after a colon when the items are independent clauses?
A sometimes online sparring partner of mine recently wrote:
Men (as opposed to women) have had a purpose that should serve us well should this new transhuman world ever actually materialize: We ...
