ParaPro Assesment Practice Exam

What type of clause can stand alone as a sentence?

1. Dependent clause

2. Independent clause

3. Complex clause

4. Compound clause

The correct answer is: Independent clause

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. Because it stands alone as a sentence, it can convey a clear idea without needing additional information. For example, "She enjoys reading" is an independent clause that can function on its own. In contrast, a dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence, as it often begins with subordinating conjunctions like "because," "although," or "if," leaving the reader wanting more information. Complex clauses and compound clauses also consist of independent and dependent clauses but are not able to stand alone as sentences by themselves; rather, they require other clauses to form complete sentences.