Wow. So, reading up to do a Monday Mechanics post and realized there are terms being tossed around that I don’t remember. So, refresher for those of us no longer in secondary school.
An independent clause has a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought: I ran to the bank.
A dependent clause has a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought.
To tell the difference, check for dependent clause markers (words that tell you that you’re in DC zone): after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Independent clause markers: also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.
This information courtesy of the Purdue Online Writing Lab.