Subordinate clauses, main clauses and extending clauses

Identify the main clause in the following sentence: "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk."

• Although it was raining

• We decided to go for a walk

• It was raining

• For a walk

Answer explanation

The main clause expresses the primary action of the sentence. In this case, "We decided to go for a walk" is the main clause, as it conveys the main idea, while "Although it was raining" is a subordinate clause.

Which of the following sentences contains a subordinate clause?

• The cat sat on the mat.

• The cat sat on the mat because it was tired.

• The cat was tired.

• The mat was comfortable.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The cat sat on the mat because it was tired.' This sentence contains a subordinate clause ('because it was tired') that provides additional information about why the cat sat on the mat.

Choose the sentence with the correctly punctuated extended clause: "The dog barked loudly it was very excited."

• The dog barked loudly, it was very excited.

• The dog barked loudly; it was very excited.

• The dog barked loudly: it was very excited.

• The dog barked loudly because it was very excited.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The dog barked loudly; it was very excited.' This uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses, indicating a close relationship between the two ideas.

Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: "She will call you when she arrives."

• She will call you

• When she arrives

• She arrives

• Call you

Answer explanation

The subordinate clause in the sentence "She will call you when she arrives" is "when she arrives". It provides additional information about the timing of the action and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Which of the following is a main clause?

• If you finish your homework

• You can watch TV

• Finish your homework

• If you can

Answer explanation

A main clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. 'You can watch TV' is a main clause because it has a subject and a verb. The other options are dependent clauses or fragments.

Select the sentence that uses a subordinate clause correctly:

• I will go to the park, if it stops raining.

• If it stops raining, I will go to the park.

• I will go to the park if it stops raining.

• If it stops raining I will go to the park.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'If it stops raining, I will go to the park,' properly uses a subordinate clause at the beginning of the sentence, followed by a comma, which is the correct punctuation for this structure.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly with an extended clause?

• She loves reading books, especially mysteries.

• She loves reading books especially mysteries.

• She loves reading books; especially mysteries.

• She loves reading books: especially mysteries.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'She loves reading books, especially mysteries.' because it properly uses a comma to separate the main clause from the extended clause, enhancing clarity.

Identify the main clause in the sentence: "Before the sun sets, we must reach the village."

• Before the sun sets

• We must reach the village

• The sun sets

• Reach the village

Answer explanation

The main clause expresses the primary action of the sentence. In this case, "We must reach the village" is the main clause, as it contains the subject and verb, while "Before the sun sets" is a subordinate clause providing context.

Which of the following sentences contains a subordinate clause?

• The cake was delicious.

• The cake was delicious because it was made with fresh ingredients.

• The cake was made with fresh ingredients.

• It was delicious.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The cake was delicious because it was made with fresh ingredients.' This sentence contains a subordinate clause ('because it was made with fresh ingredients') that adds additional information.

Choose the sentence with the correctly punctuated extended clause: "He was tired he had been working all day."

• He was tired, he had been working all day.

• He was tired; he had been working all day.

• He was tired: he had been working all day.

• He was tired because he had been working all day.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'He was tired; he had been working all day.' because it uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses, indicating a close relationship between the two thoughts.