Independent clauses
Any structural group organized around a verbal nucleus is a clause. There are two types of clauses in English and in French: independent clauses and dependent clauses. If a clause can stand alone as a sentence—if it has at least a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought—then it is an independent clause. In this unit, we will see examples of independent clauses that exist by and for themselves (simple independent clauses) as well as independent clauses that give support to dependent clauses.
Simple independent clauses
Simple independent clauses constitute sentences. Their structure can be affirmative, negative, interrogative, or imperative. They express complete thoughts. They are made up of a subject and a verb, but can also include an adverb, a prepositional phrase, or various objects.
subject + verb (+ complement)→ independent clause
Simple affirmative clauses
This type of clause is classified as simple because no other clause depends on it. And the clause is affirmative because it does not include any negative terms such as pas, plus, jamais, personne, rien, aucun,ornul. A simple affirmative clause is also independent as it expresses a complete thought and includes a subject as well as a verb. Here is an example of a simple affirmative independent clause:
Les Roberts sont à l’hôtel aujourd’hui. The Roberts are at the hotel today.
In this clause, we can identify the following elements:
A subject: les Roberts
A predicate: sont à l’hôtel aujourd’hui
The predicate in this clause includes:
The verb: sont
A prepositional phrase: à l’hôtel
An adverb: aujourd’hui
Additional characteristics of this clause are:
The clause is simple: No other clause depends on it.
The structure of the clause is affirmative: Look at the verb sont.
The clause is independent: It expresses a complete thought and includes the structural elements of subject and verb.
Simple negative clauses
This type of clause is considered simple because no other clause depends on it. The clause is negative because it includes a negative term such as pas, plus, jamais, personne, rien, aucun,ornul. (To review negative structures, see Unit 1.) The clause is also independent because it expresses a complete thought and includes a subject as well as a verb. Here is an example of a simple negative independent clause:
In this clause, we can identify the same elements and characteristics as in the example of the simple affirmative clause in the previous section. The only difference in this clause is the negative structure of the verb. Here we can identify:
A subject: les Roberts
A predicate: ne sont pas à la maison
The predicate in this clause includes:
The verb: ne sont pas
A prepositional phrase: à la maison
An adverb: actuellement
Other characteristics of this clause to note are:
The clause is simple: No other clause depends on it.
The structure of the clause is negative: ne sont pas.
The clause is independent: It expresses a complete thought and includes the structural
elements of subject and verb.
Consider another example of a simple independent clause featuring a negative structure:
Note once again that this clause expresses a complete thought and includes the necessary structural elements of an independent clause even though the clause is very short and includes nothing but the essential elements of a clause: the subject Je and the verb mange.
Consider a few more examples of simple negative independent clauses and note that these are all independent clauses including a subject and a verb:
Build simple affirmative clauses using the sentence fragments provided. Be sure to punctuate your sentences.
1. Jean / ce soir / va arriver
2. préparons / nous / un bon repas
3. content / tout le monde / est
4. était / absent / longtemps / il
5. il / dans sa chambre / va dormir
With these sentence fragments, build simple negative clauses in the present tense using the negations provided and using proper punctuation.
1. Brigitte / dort / ne pas bien
2. Ginette / aime les gâteaux / ne plus
3. nous / voulons / ne rien / boire
4. vous / pouvez / ne pas / lire tout le roman
5. elles / ont / ne rien / à dire
6. vous / avez / ne pas encore / vingt ans
Simple interrogative clauses
This type of clause is simple because no other clause depends on it. The clause is interrogative because it asks a question. And the clause is independent because it expresses a complete thought and includes a subject as well as a verb. Now consider the following examples of simple independent clauses featuring an interrogative structure:
Although the interrogative structure varies from one sentence to another, each of these clauses expresses a complete thought and includes the necessary structural elements of an independent clause: the subject elle and the verb mange.
Nowconsider the following examples of simple interrogative clauses featuring the various interrogative structures and note that they are all independent clauses including a subject and a verb. (To review complex interrogative structures, see Unit 3.)
In addition, note that a verbal structure can be interrogative and negative at the same time, as shown in the following sentences. But as long as there is a subject and a verb and the sentence makes sense on its own, you are still building independent clauses.
Change each statement into a question, building simple interrogative clauses using the phrase est-ce que. Use proper punctuation.
1. Le ciel est bleu. ___________________________________________________
2. Les oiseaux chantent. _______________________________________________
3. Le chien court derriere moi. __________________________________________
4. Je vais au parc. ___________________________________________________
5. Tu viens avec moi. _________________________________________________
Simple imperative clauses
This type of clause is simple because no other clause depends on it. The clause is imperative because it serves to give commands, orders, or instructions. And the clause is independent because it expresses a complete thought and includes an implicit subject as well as a verb. This type of clause differs from previously mentioned independent clauses, because it lacks the explicit mention of the subject. In an imperative clause, the omitted and implied subject is you or we. (To review imperative structures, see Unit 5.)
Build simple affirmative imperative clauses using the words in parentheses. Use the familiar tu command only.
1. Decorate your room! (décorer ta chambre)
2. Paint the walls! (peindre les murs)
3. Organize the closet! (organizer le placard)
4. Change the curtains! (changer les rideaux)
5. Hang some paintings! (accrocher des tableaux)
6. Move the bed! (déplacer le lit)
Main clauses
The examples of the previous section show us that an independent clause can be a complete sentence. Remember the definition of a sentence as a group of words including a subject and a predicate, and compare the following definitions of a sentence and an independent clause:
You will notice that they are the same. One might then wonder why it is necessary to use the terminology independent clause. Why not simply call any structural grouping of a subject and predicate a sentence? The answer lies within the fact that a sentence is sometimes but not always limited to an independent clause. However, sometimes a sentence includes both an independent and a dependent clause.
sentence = simple independent clause
or
sentence = independent clause + dependent clause
Examine the following example of a sentence, which comprises both types of clauses: dependent and independent:
In this sentence, one can identify the following clauses:
An independent clause: Je mange
A dependent clause: en attendant ton arrivée
We use the term independent clause to describe the subject + verb grouping: Je mange. It differentiates this type of clause, which can exist by itself and which makes sense by itself, from a dependent clause such as en attendant ton arrivée, which only makes sense in conjunction with the independent clause.
In a sentence such as Je mange en attendant ton arrivée, which includes both an independent and a dependent clause, the independent clause (the one which can stand alone and makes sense by itself) is also called the main clause.
main clause + dependent clause
Viens + faire tes devoirs!
Viens faire tes devoirs!
Come and do your homework!
Consider the following examples of sentences. They all include a boldfaced main clause and a dependent clause.
In each of the previous sentences, the main clause is in itself an independent clause and supports a dependent clause. This dependent clause, by itself, does not express a complete thought. It depends on the main clause to provide the premise and the background for what is to be expressed.
The clause Les Roberts sont à l’hôtel is a main clause because it not only makes sense by itself (which makes it an independent clause) but it is also followed by the dependent clause bien que leur famille habite en ville. This last part of the sentence—even though their family lives in town—makes sense only if you understand the main idea that the Roberts are at the hotel.
Ariane and Arlette are chatting. On the lines provided, write A if the structure of the clause is affirmative, N if it is negative, and IMP if it is imperative.
1. ________ Tu veux une glace, Arlette?
2. ________ Je ne mange jamais de glace, Ariane.
3. ________ Tu n’aimes pas ça, Arlette?
4. ________ Si, mais ça fait grossir.
5. ________ Oublie un peu ton régime, Arlette!
6. ________ Je suis trop stricte pour ça.
Find the appropriate dependent clause in the right column for each main clause on the left, and write the letter on the line provided.
Compound sentences
A compound sentence includes two independent clauses. These clauses may be combined into a sentence by using punctuation (e.g., a semicolon).
More frequently, however, independent clauses are joined together with one of the following coordinating conjunctions: et (and), ni (nor), ou (or), car (for), mais (but), and donc (so).
In previous units you built sentences: affirmative and negative sentences, direct questions, imperatives, and exclamatory sentences. Some were similar to the examples below:
In the next examples, see how the coordinating conjunctions join the simple sentences you just read.
Commonly used coordinating conjunctions are:
Build new sentences by combining the two sentences provided with one of the conjunctions in parentheses as appropriate.
1. Toute la journée Mimi était chez ses grands-parents. Elle jouait avec leur chien Médor. (et, ni)
2. Je voulais déjeuner avec elle. Elle avait rendez-vous chez le dentiste. (et, mais)
3. Elle a dû aller à son rendez-vous. Elle n’aime pas aller chez le dentiste. (sinon, mais)
4. Mimi n’a pas mangé toute la journée. Elle n’a pas mangé le soir. (ou, ni)
5. Aujourd’hui elle doit se sentir mieux. Elle doit retourner chez le dentiste. (ni, sinon)
6. Mimi est très gentille. Elle est aussi très indécise. (et, mais)
Omitting the subject and the verb in the second clause
In French, when the subject of the first and second clause is identical, it is frequently omitted. In English it can be omitted, too.
It is also possible to omit the verb of the second clause for different reasons: for the sake of brevity, a balanced combination of sentences, or a simple matter of style.
In each of the following sentences, identify the subject and verb that can be omitted, and then rewrite the sentence using a coordinating conjunction.
1. Mes parents restent à la maison le samedi et ils restent à la maison le dimanche.
2. Papa ne mange pas la viande de bœuf et il ne mange pas le poulet.
3. Maman prépare la salade et elle prépare la vinaigrette.
4. Nous allons manger vers six heures ou nous allons manger vers sept heures.
5. Avant le dîner, nous buvons un verre de vin ou nous buvons un apéritif.
6. Après le dîner, nous faisons du thé ou nous faisons du café.
Coordinating conjunctions and their functions
Getting acquainted with coordinating conjunctions and focusing on the purpose each one communicates will help you choose the correct conjunction and build sentences in French.
Write complete and logical sentences using the sentence fragments provided.
1. d‘écrire un roman / j‘ai envie / au bureau / je vais / donc
2. le premier chapitre / j’écris / je ne l’aime pas / mais
3. le premier chapitre / je dois / récrire / la fin / sera / sinon / impossible
4. le début / changer / je peux / ou / la fin / du chapitre
5. donc / d’idées / je n’ai pas / je vais / me promener
6. dans un café / j’entre / je commande un express / et
Combine each of the sentence pairs given, using a coordinating conjunction. There may be more than one possible answer.
1. Tu écris bien. Tu parles encore mieux.
2. Le pauvre n’entend pas. Il ne parle pas.
3. Tu es en retard. Dépêche-toi!
4. Tu arrives. Tu repars.
5. Ce manteau est cher. J’ai assez d’argent pour l’acheter.
6. Le magasin ne ferme pas à six heures. Il ne ferme pas à sept heures non plus.
Punctuation of sentences with more than two independent clauses
In French a comma is usually not needed with et, mais, donc, and sinon. However, when a sentence includes more than two independent clauses, the coordinating conjunction usually precedes the last sentence and a comma separates the other previous sentences.
Note, in the following examples, that the expressions ni...ni and soit...soit do not require any punctuation:
Build sentences with the fragments provided, and use the correct punctuation.
1. s’habille / Zoe / se lève / se maquille / et
2. elle / ferme la porte à clef / sort / prend son sac / et
3. le métro / le bus / elle prend le vélo / ou
4. elle boit un verre de jus / ni thé / ni café / elle ne boit / mais
5. il fait de l’orage / elle se dépêche / et / il pleut fort / donc
Translate the following sentences into French.
1. Sometimes I like to stay home and read a good book.
2. There are days when I do not want to go out nor talk to anybody.
3. I do answer the phone but only if it is family.
4. I can see my caller’s name, so I know who calls.
5. I have neither scruples nor regrets.