Main Clause & Subordinate Clause
A clause is a combination of related words containing a subject and a verb. It can be a simple sentence or a part of a compound sentence.
Examples:
- She laughed. (one clause)
- I waited for him, but he didn’t come. (two clauses)
Clauses have two major types:
- Independent Clause (Main Clause)
- Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)
Understanding ‘Main Clauses & Subordinate Clauses’
Read the following sentence:
- I saw a man who was crying.
The above sentence has two clauses: ‘I saw a man’ and ‘who was crying’. The first clause ‘I saw a man’ gives a complete meaning and can alone stand as a complete sentence. Such a phrase is called Main or Independent clause.
On the other hand, the second clause ‘who was crying’ does not give a complete meaning and cannot (as alone) stand as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause to give a complete meaning. Such a clause is called Subordinate or Dependent clause.
1⇒ Main or Independent Clause:
Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a sentence.
Examples
- I saw a man who was crying.
- The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
- I met a friend who helped me a lot.
- They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill.
- He does not like the people who smoke.
- We met a man who could speak many languages.
- She loves her husband, who never tells a lie.
2⇒ Subordinate or Dependent Clause:
Subordinate clause or Dependence clause is that clause which (as alone part) cannot express a complete meaning. It alone cannot stand as a sentence because it depends on the other clause (independent clause) to give a complete meaning. It serves a subordinate role in the sentence.
Examples:
- I saw a man who was crying.
- The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
- I met a friend who had helped me a lot.
- They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill.
- He does not like the people who smoke.
- We met a man who could speak many languages.
- She loves her husband, who never tells a lie.
Dependent Clauses have further three types:
- Noun Clause
- Adjective Clause
- Adverb Clause
To read the types of subordinate clauses, click on “Types of Subordinate Clause”