NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What is an independent (or main) clause?

1. A clause that relies on another clause

2. A clause that cannot stand alone

3. A clause that can stand alone as its own sequence

4. A clause used only in questions

The correct answer is: A clause that can stand alone as its own sequence

An independent (or main) clause is a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence and expresses a complete thought. This type of clause has a subject and a predicate, allowing it to convey a clear idea without needing any additional information. For example, "She runs every morning" is an independent clause because it provides a complete thought by itself. In contrast, other types of clauses, such as dependent clauses, rely on independent clauses to give them meaning or context, indicating that they cannot function alone. Clauses that do not express a complete thought or require further information to make sense would not be classified as independent. Additionally, the notion that a clause is used only in questions is a misconception, as independent clauses can appear in various types of sentences, not restricted to interrogative forms.