An independent clause is the same thing as a simple sentence. An independent clause has a subject and a verb – someone or something doing an action or showing existence.
Here are examples of an independent clause:
Bob has a dog.
Mary goes to school.
Sarah read a book.
The sun is shining.
An independent clause always has a subject and a verb. An independent clause is that same thing as a simple sentence.
It’s your turn. Which of these is an independent clause? John teaches at my school. By the river. Did you choose the first group of words? That group of words has a subject and a verb. It is an independent clause.