3.8.3

Main & Subordinate Clauses

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The Main Clause

A clause is a string of words that contains a subject and a verb.

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Main clause

  • A main clause is a clause that contains a subject, verb and an object. Main clauses make sense on their own.
    • E.g. I like bananas.
      • 'I' is the subject.
      • 'like' is the verb.
      • 'bananas' is the object.
  • A main clause is also known as an independent clause.
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Main clause examples

  • I am a dog.
  • I run home.
  • I use Seneca.

Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause is one that relies on a main clause to make sense. A subordinate clause is also known as a dependent clause.

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Subordinate clause

  • A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb and adds extra information to the sentence.
    • E.g. I sat on a fence when I went to the park.
      • The "when I went to the park" is the subordinate clause.
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Subordinate with main clause

  • A subordinate clause needs to be attached to a main clause because it cannot make sense on its own.
    • E.g. After she noticed it was missing… (What happened?)

Jump to other topics

1Spelling

2Punctuation

3Grammar

3.1Word Classes

3.2Conjunctions

3.3Writing Coherently

3.4Verbs

3.5Modal Verbs

3.6Phrasal Verbs

3.7Subjunctive Verbs

3.8Sentences

3.9Tenses

3.10Adverbials

3.11Language Techniques

4Decoding Words

5Reading & Writing

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