Practice Makes Perfect

Simple independent clauses

Simple independent clauses constitute sentences. Their structure can be affirma-

tive, 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, or nul. 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 Robert 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 Robert

◆

  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.