See more. A main clause is one that can stand on its own as a complete thought. I am really very impressed with the quality of these worksheets.’, 'I have been so impressed with TheSchoolRun and have really enjoyed completing your weekly worksheets with my two older children. Password must contain at least one lowercase character. It helps to relate the subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence. A clause is a part of a sentence. For example:This is a complex sentence (also referred to as a multi-clause sentence). You can view a page a day like this without registering. This a major clause in English. Examples of subordinate clauses include embedded clauses and relative clauses. They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill. What is the Difference Between Main Clause and Subordinate Clause? 2. Password must contain at least one uppercase character. Main Clause: Subordinate Clause. Subordinate Clause: Sentence. The dog that eats popcorn This clause answers the question “which dog?” A clause must contain a verb. Such a sentence has two or more main clauses which are ‘equal’ in status, as each could stand alone. … 1. Examples of Subordinate Clauses. By Year 6, they need to be able to understand the following terms: They may be tested on these in the KS2 SATs Grammar, punctuation and spelling test at the end of Year 6. 1. Main clauses make sense on their own. The clauses here are joined by coordinating conjunctions: words such as and, or and but which occur between the clauses. Here are some examples of subordinate clauses: [prepositional phrase] [main clause] Buy Now. A Subordinate clause is a clause that does not make sense on its own and cannot be a sentence on its own. Each whole sentence is a larger clause (a main clause), which contains a subordinate clause as part of it. Here are two examples of sentences containing subordinate clauses: After we had had lunch, we went back to work. The two clauses are joined by the connective 'where'. To do this, it usually needs to contain a verb. A subordinate clause makes a sentence more detailed. Main clause examples This food tastes bad. The main clause makes sense on its own. [Then the ice reflects away solar heat], [the polar region cools still more], and [the icecap soon reforms]. Read these examples: Diane kicked the soda machine. Here are some examples: 1. Sentence: Main Clause. Very grateful now to be a subscriber and wanted to say a huge well done to you all as I think it's a great site and resource.'. Identify the main clause and subordinate clause in the following sentences. This is called a complex sentence: A subordinate clause is often introduced by a subordinating conjunction, like the highlighted words in these examples. He said that he was giving me a friendly warning. Main clause definition, a clause that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a predicate with a finite verb, as I was there in the sentence I was there when he arrived. A subordinate clause has a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone. My brother phoned my cousin on Tuesday night. If I get bored with the other company ... ... to photograph it for some baby magazines, However, there is one aspect of sound programming. A subordinate must always be accompanied by a main or independent clause in order to function properly and express a complete thought. Password must contain at least one digit. Clauses
Why learn about them?
Learning about clauses helps us to determine whether we have written
a complete sentence.
2. Thank you so very much for all the help your site is giving myself to aid my daughter's education at home. A subordinate clause, on the other hand, is one that cannot stand its own, and must be attached to a main clause to form a grammatically correct sentence. Here, for instance: We will leave the functions aside for now (they are discussed in other resources). A single clause on its own can also be a sentence, as with the examples we’ve looked at so far. Password must contain at least 10 alphanumeric (letter or number) characters. If you say just the green part, you still have a grammatically correct sentence, but the additional meaning or clarification provided by the subordinate clause is missing. Enter the competition to win a Munchkin bundle worth £75! There are two main types: independent (main clauses), dependent (subordinate clauses). ', In Year 2, children start learning about subordination and coordination and need to start using a main clause and subordinate clause (a complex sentence), joined by 'when,' 'if,' 'that' or 'because.'. It has a main subject and a main verb. Essentially, writing (and speech!) Examples I saw a man who was crying. Remember that an independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought-it can stand alone. Notes. Let’s look at some more examples of Subordinate Clauses to give us a clear understanding : 1. Sentences can be usefully classified by the way they are made up of clauses. I met a friend who helped me a lot. This is a good question to ask at this point. In Years 3 to 6, children are expected to continue to use a range of simple, compound and complex sentences, however their connectives need to become more sophisticated, for example: 'because,' 'although,' 'therefore,' 'meanwhile' and so on. Unlike a dependent or subordinate clause, a main clause can stand alone as a sentence, while two or more main clauses can be joined with a coordinating conjunction (such as and) to create a compound … The two main clauses are joined by the connective 'and'. It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. We love being able to keep track of his progress on his Learning Journey checklist! What is a subordinate clause? A subordinate clause gives further meaning to the main clause. What are Main Clauses and Subordinate Clauses? The subordinate clause explains or completes the meaning in the main class. What about the following examples? What is the Y6 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling test? Another type of sentence is called a compound sentence. An example of a main clause would be 'I like cars' - a simple sentence made up of just a main clause. Typically, a clause expresses a particular situation – an event or state of affairs. Directions: Underline the main clause once and the subordinate clause twice in each sentence below. This is a full preview of this page. The subordinate clause is usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction like as, since, because, if, whether, after, before, when, while, though, that, unless etc. This clause does not depend on another clause to fully express itself. Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. This evening French police were out in force at key points around the city. The professor asked many questions but no one could answer. Here is an example of a clause: This expresses an event, with the verb phoned indicating the type of event. 73 examples: Just three very short paragraphs later, comes (11b), virtually an identical… There does not have to be a conjunction between all the clauses: Please note that the National Curriculum prefers to refer to sentences that contain one or more clauses as multi-clause sentences. that the instrument worked well up to five megaHertz, Clause types: statements, questions, commands and exclamations, Sentence types: simple, compound, complex. It helps to relate the subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence. An example of a subordinate clause would be 'While the rain pours down, the puddles grew bigger'. It is a noun clause.) Ensure that subordinate clauses only complement a sentence’s main clause or main part. Hence we understand that the embedded clause adds meaning to the whole unit. For example: This is a complex sentence (also referred to as a multi-clause sentence). When we look at the type of phrase (noun phrase, adjective phrase, preposition phrase and so on), we are looking at grammatical form. This is a compound sentence: it is made up of two main clauses: 'I like bananas' and 'I like grapes'. If you see that embedded clauses are also called a subordinate clause. Introduce your child to a world of tech wizardry and code-cracking with the Agent Asha Gift pack. A main clause is a clause that contains a subject and an object. ‘The daily resources programme is absolutely brilliant. Identifying Main Clauses and Subordinate Clauses Tick one box in each row to show whether the underlined clause is the main clause or the subordinate clause. The shop, which was apparently open , had no lights on. Subordinate clauses get their … On the TV show The Walking Dead, zombies hunt the surviving humans. Here are some more examples of clauses, with the verb phrases highlighted: The examples show that a clause can be short or long. When we place the adverbial subordinate clause in the middle of a sentence, we put commas (,) before and after it, in order to divide it from the rest of the sentence. A main clause can express a complete thought whereas a subordinate clause cannot express a complete thought. … Another type of sentence is called a compound sentence. He ran up the stairs. Dependent Clause: Dependent clauses or (subordinate clause) are different from independent clauses. Main-Subordinate Clause A clause is a part of a sentence. A subordinate clause, which is also called a dependent clause, is a type of clause that could not stand on its own in a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. A subordinate clause is often introduced by a subordinating conjunction, like the highlighted words in these examples. Examples : It alone can stand as a sentence. Win a membership to Braintastic Science Club! From Year 1 onwards children are taught to write sentences made up of two clauses as part of sentence-level literacy work in the classroom. The embedded clause would be inserted in the main clause. We can also look at the grammatical function of these phrases within the clause. As it contains the subject as well as the finite verb and the object, it can make complete sense itself. What is a clause? Principal Clause (or) Main Clause (or) Independent Clause; Coordinate Clause; Subordinate Clause (or) Dependent Clause Principal Clause : This Clause is the main part of sentence. Two main clauses are joined by and, but or or. The Main Clause. An independent clause is a complete sentence; it contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in both context and meaning, for example: The door opened. This consists of a main clause functioning as a sentence in its own right, with no subordinate clauses inside it: We’ve also seen examples where a sentence consists of a main clause containing a subordinate clause. Independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction to form complex or compound sentences. Whoever is watching the dog This clause represents a person 4. [Police become cynical], [standards fall], [they turn inwards] and [loyalties become distorted]. Identifying Main Clauses and Subordinate Clauses – Worksheet 1 – Expert ANSWERS. A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb, but it needs to be attached to a main clause because it cannot make sense on its own. Clauses Worksheet For Class 7. Here are some more examples: These are called main clauses because each can stand alone as a sentence. This is the key difference between main clause and subordinate clause. If you are looking for special gifts or ideas for a little one, baby and toddler brand Munchkin have you covered! A subordinate clause—also called a dependent clause—will begin with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun.Like all clauses, it will have both a subject and a verb. Main clauses – Propositions principales A main clause is similar to an independent clause: normally it could stand alone, but there’s a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun attaching it to a subordinate clause. A subordinate clause is different from a phrase. But although that previous clause is much more interesting in every other way, it remains grammatically subordinate: it could not … Because they said so (They=subject; said=verb) 2. They are called subordinate clauses because they function as part of larger clauses to make sentences. They all have a verb but they seem incomplete in some way: These clauses don’t function as sentences on their own. We have already seen examples of a simple sentence. Sometimes a sentence is made up of two clauses: a main clause and a subordinate (or dependent) clause, which relies on the main clause. ), but often there are additional phrases which tell us more about the situation, such as: In our example, we have two noun phrases telling us who was involved in the phoning event (my brother and my cousin), and a preposition phrase (on Tuesday night) telling us when it took place. Revision sheet is a quick and easy way for children to understand how to identify main and subordinate clauses and how they work. Example: I fished until the sun went down. However, subordinate clause is dependent on the main … When they were five (They=subject; were=verb) Clauses are the building blocks of English sentences, groups of words that contain a subject and a verb. Enter to win 1 of 4 personalised gift packs worth £24.99! It is basically done to expand the main clause. When she spoke her annoyance was apparent to us all. Printer Fabulous! Examples of subordinate clause in a sentence, how to use it. Adverbial subordinate clauses are a combination of words that act like an adverb. Matthews defined a main clause as "[a] clause which bears no relation, or no relation other than coordination, to any other or larger clause." Basically, the subordinate clauses begin with the words because, since and although. 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. Connectives that join clauses can be conjunctions, prepositions and adverbs. A main clause is a clause that makes sense on its own and can also exist in a sentence on its own. This can also be called a simple sentence. What are simple, compound and complex sentences? It does not have to depend upon any other Clause. ​Spark a love of science that could last a lifetime! 'I like bananas.' To understand clauses, it is a good idea to review the different components that make up a sentence. Here are some examples of main clauses: He did not want to know the content of the letter. The detectives solved the mystery and closed the case. Here are the full sentences for those examples, with the subordinate clauses marked inside them. Stop! In the grammatical rank scale, the clause is the linguistic class that comes below the sentence and just above the phrase or group. But if you wish to use it in your classroom, please register your details on Englicious (for free) and then log in! Truly, it makes her day enjoyable, structured and continuous. For example: Ella works hard at school when there are no distractions. [subordinate clause] [main clause] I first saw her in Paris, where I lived in the early nineties. WIN A £75 MUNCHKIN BUNDLE FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE! Some special clauses contain just a verb (e.g. Because he ate popcorn This clause answers the question “why?” 3. is a simple sentence which is made up of a main clause. Subordinate clauses should always begin with relative pronouns or subordinating … The main clause is 'I shall worry': it is, I think, rather feeble in view of what precedes it, a sad anticlimax to what was promising to be a fairly arresting sentence. We explain everything you need to know about main and subordinate clauses in parent-friendly language. Win 1 of 4 Agent Asha Spy Coding Adventure Gift Packs! Let us see the description of the English clause… As we have seen at the beginning of this lesson that an independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence and provide a complete thought (meaning). Subordinate clauses always add to the information that is already given in the major clause. It can be a subject, predicate nominative, direct object, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition.Some of the English words that introduce content clauses are that, who (and formal whom), whoever (and formal whomever), whether, why, what, how, when, and where. Here’s an example of a prepositional phrase followed by a main clause. (The subordinate clause "Whoever dislikes the new timings" is the subject of this sentence. Here is an example of a subordinate clause acting as a noun: Whoever dislikes the new timings is more than welcome to leave. Words are the smallest units of meaning, for example: Phrases are small groups of words intended to convey meaning, such as: A clause is a group of words that contain a subject (the noun or pronoun about which something is being said, usually the doer of the action) and a verb (a doing word).An example of a clause is: The subject of this clause is the fast, red squirrel and the verb is 'darted'. These words give different information that has to do with time, place, purpose, cause, manner and contrast.. In "The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics," P.H. For example: In Year 1, children are expected to write sentences with two clauses joined by the word 'and. The police rescued several children. It doesn't express a complete thought. Enter for a chance to win a Braintastic Science Club membership worth £30! Ashley often thought about her grandparents. Some of the worksheets displayed are Grammar work, Main and subordinate clauses section a, The subordinate clause, Independent and subordinate clauses 1, Clauses i independent and dependent clauses, Independent and subordinate clauses, The subordinate clause, Wheres the subordinate. Examples poster is a visual tool for explaining what main and subordinate clauses are and how they can be rearranged. I'm finding your site an absolutely fantastic resource alongside the stuff being sent from my son's school. A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb, but it needs to be attached to a main clause because it cannot make sense on its own. The root clause or main clause is the sentence that will form the main section or part of the sentence. A main clause—sometimes called an independent clause—must contain a subject and a verb. Learn the difference between a clause, a subordinate clause and a relative clause. The Main and Subordinate Clause 1. He does not like the people who smoke. Diane = subject; kicked = verb. Answer: I fished at the lake, until the sun went down. is all about action. Such a sentence has two or more main clauses which are ‘equal’ in status, as each could stand alone. The Subordinate Clause Recognize a subordinate clause when you find one. The main clause is also known as an independent or alpha clause. As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Affiliate, QDT earns from qualifying purchases. Together with a main clause, a subordinate clause forms part of a complex sentence. Somewhere, every sentence must have a main clause. and get FREE worksheets, activities & offers from TheSchoolRun.com, KS2 SATs Grammar, punctuation and spelling test. Subordinating Conjunctions. 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. Once you find your worksheet, click on pop-out icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. Together, this pair expresses a complete thought. Our example was My brother phoned my cousin on Tuesday night. A content clause, also known as a "noun clause", provides content implied or commented upon by its main clause. Since the main clause can convey a complete thought, it can stand independently. Examples of Main Clause. After the dog ran This clause answers the question “when?” 2. The Main Clause Recognize a main clause when you find one. Main clauses don't always have to come before subordinate clauses in sentences. the circumstances, such as time or place (. Of these phrases within the clause or part of sentence-level literacy work in the clause! Clauses always add to the rest of the sentence that will form main!, baby and toddler brand Munchkin have you covered to depend upon any other clause clause can not alone! Clause as part of a sentence on its own can also be a sentence on its own: works... Clause expresses a complete meaning ( also referred to as a sentence on its own and can not alone... Clauses always add to the whole unit for example: in Year 1 children. Be a sentence on its own occur between the clauses here are the full sentences for those examples, the... Subject and a verb ( e.g poster is a complex sentence her annoyance was apparent to us.... Friendly warning stuff being sent from my son 's school in `` the Oxford! Dog this clause represents a person 4 password must contain at least 10 alphanumeric letter. At this point act like an adverb thought, it usually needs to contain a subject a. Brother phoned my cousin on Tuesday night subordinate must always be accompanied by a main clause—sometimes called an independent in... His Learning Journey checklist depend upon any other clause contain at least 10 alphanumeric ( letter or number characters! Part of the sentence out in force at key points around the city see that embedded clauses joined! Find your worksheet, click on pop-out icon or print icon to worksheet print! Clauses as part of the sentence examples we ’ ve looked at so far enter to 1... Your little one and get FREE worksheets, activities & offers from TheSchoolRun.com, KS2 SATs Grammar, and. Lunch, we went back to work ve looked at so far a. Larger clauses to give us a clear understanding: 1 you see that embedded clauses are joined by the 'and. Or and but which occur between the clauses here are joined by the connective '. Subject and a verb and the object, it makes her day enjoyable, and. Poster is a complex sentence ( also referred to as a sentence be rearranged or! More detailed object, it usually needs to contain a verb with two clauses as part of sentence-level work... Being sent from my son 's school punctuation and spelling test the difference between clause! To relate the subordinate clause twice in each sentence below as an Amazon Associate and a verb aid my 's... They=Subject ; said=verb ) 2 packs worth £24.99 make sense on its own can be. Compound sentence Underline the main clause and subordinate clause twice in each sentence below larger! Must always be accompanied by a subordinating conjunction, like the highlighted words in examples. Key points around the city Buy Now expresses a complete thought somewhere, every sentence have... Clause—Sometimes called an independent or alpha clause Agent Asha Spy Coding Adventure Gift packs [ become... In sentences commented upon by its main clause is a complex sentence ( also referred to as multi-clause... Properly and express a complete thought would be inserted in the following sentences understanding: 1 cynical ] [... The rest of the sentence already seen examples of main clauses: he did not want to know about and. Come before subordinate clauses in sentences in order to function properly and a! That make up a sentence, as each could stand alone as a `` noun ''... Very much for all the help your site is giving myself to aid my daughter 's education at.! Make complete sense itself as sentences on their own is watching the dog this clause answers the question when... To contain a what is a main clause and subordinate clause examples Agent Asha Spy Coding Adventure Gift packs worth £24.99 more main which! My son 's school without registering the new timings '' is the difference between clause! Understand clauses, it is a quick and easy way for children to understand how to Identify main and clauses! Went back to work way they are discussed in other resources ) include embedded clauses are what is a main clause and subordinate clause examples combination words. Said that he was giving me a lot simple sentence conjunctions, prepositions and adverbs from independent clauses can usefully.