Main clauses and subordinate clauses

Front

What is a main clause?

Back

A main clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Front

What is a subordinate clause?

Back

A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Identify the clause: 'I first met her in Paris where I lived as a child.'

Back

Main clause: 'I first met her in Paris'; Subordinate clause: 'where I lived as a child'.

Front

Identify the clause: 'Yanalie stopped screaming once Javier smashed the spider.'

Back

Main clause: 'Yanalie stopped screaming'; Subordinate clause: 'once Javier smashed the spider'.

Front

Identify the clause: 'Tanya did poorly on her history exam because her best friend Giselle insisted on gossiping.'

Back

Main clause: 'Tanya did poorly on her history exam'; Subordinate clause: 'because her best friend Giselle insisted on gossiping'.

Front

Identify the clause: 'Unless Carlota finishes her maths homework, she will have to suffer Pedro's ire.'

Back

Main clause: 'she will have to suffer Pedro's ire'; Subordinate clause: 'Unless Carlota finishes her maths homework'.

Front

Identify the clause: 'No one speaks until Raquel has her first cup of coffee.'

Back

Main clause: 'No one speaks'; Subordinate clause: 'until Raquel has her first cup of coffee'.

Front

What is the function of a main clause in a sentence?

Back

The function of a main clause is to provide the primary information or action in a sentence.

Front

What is the function of a subordinate clause in a sentence?

Back

The function of a subordinate clause is to provide additional information or context to the main clause.

Front

Can a main clause stand alone?

Back

Yes, a main clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.