Examples of Independent Clauses

An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate. It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Independent Clause Examples

I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and reading.
Waiting to have my car’s oil changed is boring.
She wants to travel the world and see wonderful sights.
Our planets revolve around the sun.
The professor always comes to class fully prepared.
Hurricanes strengthen over warm waters.
It is good to tackle the hardest chores first.
Meredith fixed the leaky faucet all by herself.
The soprano sang the aria perfectly.
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals.
Hiking and biking are my favorite summertime activities.
It is very important to brush your teeth twice a day.
We can hardly wait to see the movie.
This fall’s television line-up is lacking in diversity.
The brand new Italian restaurant is beautifully decorated.
There is a lot of apathy concerning the upcoming election.
Andrew decided to buy a sundae instead of a double-scoop cone.
Joan teaches science and algebra at the community college.
The squirrels are busy storing nuts for the winter.
I like to swim laps to stay in shape.
Peter and Elaine could not decide if they wanted to elope or have a big wedding.
The team persevered and finally broke the tie.
The Alps in Switzerland are breathtaking.

Here are examples of two independent clauses together in one sentence joined by a comma and/or a coordinating conjunction:

The beach is a lot of fun, but the mountains are even better.
All of us went to the movie, and we agreed it was enjoyable.
I went to the mall, but forgot to get socks.
He went to the park and the ride was broken.
I really wanted potato soup, but they only offered clam chowder and chicken noodle.
Today is Thursday and the test is Friday.
She not only bought two dresses but she got matching shoes.
I really want to see the game, but the store is having a huge sale.
She interviewed for three jobs, but she really wants to work here.
We all looked very tired, for we had stayed up all night cramming for the final.

Here are examples of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon:

I went to the Department of Motor vehicles; I took the written test.
Monica brought the drinks; Frank brought the main dish.
This is one of my favorite books; Pride and Prejudice is another favorite.
My little brother refuses to go to bed early; he is afraid he will miss something.
The bridge is narrow; the river is wide.
He is going to the cabin; he intends to stay there all weekend.
During their hike, they noticed a storm moving in; they decided to turn back.
There was a strong wind at the beach; we managed to have a good time anyway.
I was very happy; I had pizza and ice cream.
Some authors prefer to use a word processor; others write using pen and paper.

For more, check out this informative article on independent and dependent clauses.