Question

Is there an independent clause in these sentences? I don't think so.
Finishing the new office before May will be a difficult task.

For some people, keeping really still is difficult.

Answer 1

Both have independent clauses, it is just that their subjects are not simple. "finishing" used here is a gerund, a noun, and the subject. "keeping" is also a gerund here and a subject.

RECOGNIZING gerunds takes practice. They are verb forms used as nouns.