Highlight All The Words That Make Up The Two Independent Clauses Below.Nicole Watterson Couldn't Wait To Open Her Last Birthday Present; It Was Taller Than She Was.
What are Independent Clauses?
In English grammar, an independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought. It is called "independent" because it can stand alone as a complete sentence. An independent clause typically has a subject (the noun or pronoun that performs the action) and a predicate (the verb or action that is performed).
Identifying Independent Clauses
To identify an independent clause, look for the following characteristics:
- A subject (noun or pronoun)
- A predicate (verb or action)
- A complete thought (expressing a complete idea or action)
Highlighting the Words of the Two Independent Clauses
Let's take a closer look at the two independent clauses:
- Nicole Watterson couldn't wait to open her last birthday present;
- it was taller than she was.
Breaking Down the First Independent Clause
- Nicole Watterson (subject)
- couldn't wait (predicate)
- to open (infinitive phrase)
- her last birthday present (object)
Breaking Down the Second Independent Clause
- it (subject)
- was (predicate)
- taller (adjective)
- than she was (comparative phrase)
Highlighting the Words
Here are the words of the two independent clauses highlighted:
- Nicole Watterson couldn't wait to open her last birthday present.
- It was taller than she was.
Key Takeaways
- An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought.
- To identify an independent clause, look for a subject, a predicate, and a complete thought.
- The two independent clauses in the given sentence are: "Nicole Watterson couldn't wait to open her last birthday present" and "it was taller than she was."
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Clauses
Q: What is the main difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?
A: An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought. A dependent clause, on the other hand, is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate, but does not express a complete thought. Dependent clauses rely on an independent clause to complete their meaning.
Q: Can an independent clause stand alone as a complete sentence?
A: Yes, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. It has a subject and a predicate, and expresses a complete thought.
Q: How do I identify an independent clause in a sentence?
A: To identify an independent clause, look for the following characteristics:
- A subject (noun or pronoun)
- A predicate (verb or action)
- A complete thought (expressing a complete idea or action)
Q: Can an independent clause have more than one subject?
A: No, an independent clause typically has only one subject. However, it can have multiple predicates or actions.
Q: Can an independent clause be in the form of a question?
A: Yes, an independent clause can be in the form of a question. For example: "Are you going to the store?"
Q: Can an independent clause be in the form of a command or an exclamation?
A: Yes, an independent clause can be in the form of a command or an exclamation. For example: "Close the door!" or "Be careful!"
Q: How do I combine independent clauses to form a complex sentence?
A: You can combine independent clauses using conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or." For example: "I went to the store, and I bought some milk."
Q: Can I use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses?
A: Yes, you can use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. For example: "I have a big test tomorrow; I'm studying all night."
Q: What is the difference between a semicolon and a comma?
A: A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, while a comma is used to separate items in a list or to separate clauses that are not as closely related.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding independent clauses is essential in English grammar. By identifying the subject, predicate, and complete thought in a sentence, we can determine whether it is an independent clause or not. This Q&A article provides answers to frequently asked questions about independent clauses, and helps readers understand the concept better.
Additional Resources
- For more information on independent clauses, see the article "Understanding Independent Clauses in English Grammar."
- For more information on dependent clauses, see the article "Understanding Dependent Clauses in English Grammar."
- For more information on complex sentences, see the article "Understanding Complex Sentences in English Grammar."