Meaning & use
main clause
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UK/ˈmeɪn ˌklɔːz/
US/ˈmeɪn ˌklɔz/
Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Grammar: Countable: a main clause.
Patterns
- main clause of a sentence
In the sentence I stayed home because it rained, I stayed home is the main clause.
Each complex sentence needs a main clause.
The main clause comes first in this example.
Common combinations
- main clause and subordinate clause
- The main clause and subordinate clause are joined by because.
- identify the main clause
- Students must identify the main clause.
- independent main clause
- An independent main clause makes sense alone.
- main clause comes first
- The main clause comes first.
- underline the main clause
- Underline the main clause.
Synonyms and how they differ
- independent clause
- Independent clause is a near-equal term, often used in American grammar books.
- principal clause
- Principal clause is an older, more British term.
- subordinate clause
- Subordinate clause is the opposite, since it cannot stand alone.
Word family
- clause noun
- A group of words with a subject and verb.
- clausal adjective
- Relating to a clause.
Commonly confused: main clause or main idea?
main clause vs main idea
The main idea is the central point of a text, while a main clause is a grammatical unit.
Practice
In She smiled when he arrived, which part is the main clause?
Choose one answer.
She smiled can stand alone. When he arrived depends on it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “main clause”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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