Which of the following are examples of independent clauses?

Which of the following are examples of independent clauses?

• A. They went to the movies.
• B. Running in the park.
• C. She wants to go.
• D. Even though it was raining.

Answer: (A)

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, meaning it can stand alone as a sentence. The sentence "They went to the movies" fits this definition perfectly. It has a clear subject ("They") and a verb ("went") and conveys a complete thought about what "they" did. As a result, it can function as a standalone sentence. Similarly, "She wants to go" is another example of an independent clause. It also contains a subject ("She") and a verb ("wants") and expresses a complete thought. In contrast, "Running in the park" lacks a subject and a complete verb form; it does not express a complete thought. This makes it a phrase rather than a complete clause. "Even though it was raining" is a dependent clause. While it contains a subject ("it") and a verb ("was"), it does not express a complete thought since it's structured to introduce additional information and requires another clause to form a complete idea. Therefore, among the options provided, "They went to the movies" is indeed an independent clause.

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, meaning it can stand alone as a sentence.

The sentence "They went to the movies" fits this definition perfectly. It has a clear subject ("They") and a verb ("went") and conveys a complete thought about what "they" did. As a result, it can function as a standalone sentence.

Similarly, "She wants to go" is another example of an independent clause. It also contains a subject ("She") and a verb ("wants") and expresses a complete thought.

In contrast, "Running in the park" lacks a subject and a complete verb form; it does not express a complete thought. This makes it a phrase rather than a complete clause.

"Even though it was raining" is a dependent clause. While it contains a subject ("it") and a verb ("was"), it does not express a complete thought since it's structured to introduce additional information and requires another clause to form a complete idea.

Therefore, among the options provided, "They went to the movies" is indeed an independent clause.