What is a main clause and subordinate clause examples?

For example: This is a complex sentence (also referred to as a multi-clause sentence). It has a main clause (‘I first saw her in Paris’) and a subordinate clause (‘ where I lived as a small child’), which relies on the main clause to make sense. The two clauses are joined by the connective ‘where’.

How do you identify a main clause in a sentence?

To find the main clause in a sentence, look for a subject and a verb. Once you’ve identified these, see if the clause would make sense as a stand-alone sentence. If this is the case then you’ve probably found the main clause.

What are some examples of a subordinate clause?

Examples of Subordinate Clauses:

• Because I said so (I=subject; said=verb)
• When I was five (I=subject; was=verb)
• Since it will rain today (it=subject; will rain=verb)
• Who is my best friend (not written as a question-who=subject; is=verb)
• If you pass the test (you=subject; pass=verb)

How do you identify a subordinate clause example?

For example, in the sentence ‘I played out until it went dark’, the phrase ‘until it went dark’ is the subordinate clause because it requires additional information in order to make sense. Subordinate clauses contain a subject noun and a verb.

What is a subordinate clause in a sentence?

A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it merely complements a sentence’s main clause, thereby adding to the whole unit of meaning. Because a subordinate clause is dependent upon a main clause to be meaningful, it is also referred to as a dependent clause.

What is subordinate clause in English grammar?

A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it merely complements a sentence’s main clause, thereby adding to the whole unit of meaning. This main clause will be independent: it can stand on its own as a complete sentence.

What is the difference between a subordinate clause and a main clause?

It depends on the main clause to give a complete meaning. Such a clause is called Subordinate or Dependent clause. Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a sentence.

How to know if you have a main clause in a sentence?

The Main Clause. 1 Recognize a main clause when you find one. A main clause—sometimes called an independent clause —must contain a subject and a verb. Together, this 2 A main clause makes a sentence complete. 3 Do not confuse a main clause with a subordinate clause.

What do you call two independent clauses in a sentence?

In sentences containing more than one clause, independent clauses are usually called “main clauses.” Many sentences in English contain two or more clauses. Now, let’s talk about dependent clauses, also called “subordinate clauses.” Remember, the clause “because I love to dance” contains a subject and verb, but it is still dependent.

Is the underlined clause an independent sentence or a main clause?

The underlined clause in the above sentence has a subject and a predicate. It also gives a complete meaning and can stand as an independent sentence. Therefore, it is a main clause.

What is a main clause and subordinate clause examples?

For example: This is a complex sentence (also referred to as a multi-clause sentence). It has a main clause (‘I first saw her in Paris’) and a subordinate clause (‘ where I lived as a small child’), which relies on the main clause to make sense. The two clauses are joined by the connective ‘where’.

What is an example of subordinate clause?

For example, in the sentence ‘I played out until it went dark’, the phrase ‘until it went dark’ is the subordinate clause because it requires additional information in order to make sense. Subordinate clauses contain a subject noun and a verb.

What is an example of a main clause?

In sentence structure, the simple subject is the “who, what, or where” that comprises the main focus of the sentence. For example, in the sentence, “The angry bear howled ominously,” the word “bear” is the simple subject and the predicate is “howled” so the main clause of the sentence would be, “The bear howled.”

What is the difference between main and subordinate clause?

The key difference between main clause and subordinate clause is that the main clause expresses a complete thought whereas the subordinate clause (or dependent clause) doesn’t express a complete thought. However, subordinate clause is dependent on the main clause since it cannot express a complete thought.

Which is the subordinate clause in this sentence?

A subordinate clause (or dependent clause) is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Like all clauses, a subordinate clause has a subject and verb.

How do you identify a main clause and a subordinate clause in a sentence?

Main clauses have a subject and verb and can stand on their own. Subordinate clauses begin with a conjunction and therefore cannot stand on their own.

What is the difference between a subordinate clause and a main clause?

It depends on the main clause to give a complete meaning. Such a clause is called Subordinate or Dependent clause. Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a sentence.

Which is the subordinate clause in the sentence Laura smiled?

1 ‘Laura smiled’ is the major clause. It makes sense all on its own. 2 ‘because dancing was fun!’ is the subordinate clause. It adds additional information to the main clause and wouldn’t make sense on its own. 3 ‘because’ is the subordinating conjunction. It helps to add the extra information to explain why Laura was smiling.

Which is an example of a main clause?

Therefore, it is a main clause. Every sentence has at least one main clause. Some sentences can have two main clauses. We call such sentences compound sentences. The two main clauses in a compound sentence are combined with a coordinating conjunction. Some more examples of main clauses are as follows:

Can a sentence have more than one main clause?

The underlined clause in the above sentence has a subject and a predicate. It also gives a complete meaning and can stand as an independent sentence. Therefore, it is a main clause. Every sentence has at least one main clause. Some sentences can have two main clauses. We call such sentences compound sentences.