Mastering Clauses: Understanding Main and Subordinate Clauses for Exams
Introduction to Clauses: Main and Subordinate
In English grammar, clauses are essential building blocks that help construct complete sentences. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb). Understanding how clauses work is crucial for writing clear and grammatically correct sentences. Clauses can be broadly categorized into two types: Main Clauses (Independent Clauses) and Subordinate Clauses (Dependent Clauses).
Why it Matters:
Clauses form the core of sentence construction, and knowing how to combine them properly is fundamental for both spoken and written communication. In exams, understanding clauses is vital for complex sentence formation, ensuring clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
Main Clauses (Independent Clauses)
A Main Clause (or Independent Clause) is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought and has both a subject and a verb.
Examples of Main Clauses:
- She walks to school every day.
- They have completed the assignment.
Key Characteristics of Main Clauses:
- Can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- Contains a subject and a predicate.
- Expresses a complete thought.
Subordinate Clauses (Dependent Clauses)
A Subordinate Clause (or Dependent Clause) cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on a main clause to complete its meaning. Subordinate clauses are typically introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “because,” “if,” “although,” and “when.”
Examples of Subordinate Clauses:
- Because she was late, she missed the bus.
- When the rain stopped, we went outside.
Key Characteristics of Subordinate Clauses:
- Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
- Dependent on a main clause to complete the meaning.
- Often begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because, when, if).
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses can be further categorized based on their function in a sentence:
1. Noun Clauses
A noun clause acts as a noun within the sentence. It can serve as a subject, object, or complement.
- Example: I don’t know what she wants.
2. Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
- Example: The book that you lent me is fascinating.
3. Adverbial Clauses
An adverbial clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, answering questions like how, when, where, and why.
- Example: I will go if it stops raining.
Combining Main and Subordinate Clauses
Understanding how to combine main and subordinate clauses is important for writing complex sentences. Here are some ways to combine them:
1. Using Subordinating Conjunctions:
- Subordinate clauses are usually connected to main clauses using subordinating conjunctions.
- Example: I stayed home because I was tired.
2. Using Relative Pronouns:
- Adjective clauses often start with relative pronouns like “who,” “which,” or “that.”
- Example: The car that I bought is new.
Applications of Clauses
- In Writing: Understanding clauses helps in constructing more sophisticated and coherent sentences.
- In Speaking: Proper use of main and subordinate clauses ensures clarity and precision while speaking.
- In Exams: Questions on sentence construction, conjunctions, and clauses often appear in grammar sections, and knowing how to identify and use clauses correctly is key for scoring well.
Common Errors in Clause Usage
- Comma Splice:
Joining two independent clauses with just a comma (incorrect).
Example: I went to the store, I bought some milk (incorrect).
Correction: I went to the store, and I bought some milk. - Fragment Sentences:
Using a subordinate clause as a complete sentence (incorrect).
Example: Because she was tired. (incorrect)
Correction: She went to bed because she was tired. - Run-on Sentences:
Incorrectly joining clauses without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.
Example: I like cake I don’t like ice cream. (incorrect)
Correction: I like cake, but I don’t like ice cream.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
- Which of the following is a main (independent) clause?
a) After the rain stopped.
b) I went to the park.
c) Although she was tired.
Answer: b) I went to the park.
Explanation: It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. - Which conjunction is used to join a subordinate clause to a main clause?
a) and
b) or
c) because
Answer: c) because
Explanation: “Because” is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a dependent clause. - What type of clause is: “When we arrive”?
a) Main clause
b) Subordinate clause
c) Noun clause
Answer: b) Subordinate clause
Explanation: “When we arrive” is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone. - Which sentence is correct?
a) I went to the store but I didn’t buy anything.
b) I went to the store I didn’t buy anything.
Answer: a) I went to the store but I didn’t buy anything.
Explanation: The conjunction “but” correctly joins two independent clauses. - Identify the subordinate clause in the sentence: “I will go to the party if I finish my homework.”
a) I will go to the party
b) if I finish my homework
Answer: b) if I finish my homework
Explanation: “If I finish my homework” is a dependent clause. - Which of the following is an adjective clause?
a) She ran because she was late.
b) The book that I borrowed is excellent.
Answer: b) The book that I borrowed is excellent.
Explanation: “That I borrowed” modifies the noun “book.” - Which of the following sentences contains a run-on?
a) I like to read, and I like to write.
b) I like to read I like to write.
Answer: b) I like to read I like to write.
Explanation: The sentence should be separated with punctuation or a conjunction. - Which sentence contains a subordinate clause?
a) She loves singing.
b) She loves singing because it makes her happy.
Answer: b) She loves singing because it makes her happy.
Explanation: “Because it makes her happy” is a subordinate clause. - What type of clause is: “What she said” in the sentence “I don’t know what she said”?
a) Noun clause
b) Adjective clause
c) Adverbial clause
Answer: a) Noun clause
Explanation: “What she said” acts as the object of the verb “know.” - Which of the following is an example of a complex sentence?
a) I like to play football.
b) I like to play football because it’s fun.
Answer: b) I like to play football because it’s fun.
Explanation: It contains both a main and a subordinate clause.
Long Descriptive Questions with Answers
- Explain the difference between a main clause and a subordinate clause with examples. Answer:
A main clause is a complete sentence that expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone.- Example: “She studies hard.”
A subordinate clause cannot stand alone and depends on the main clause for meaning. - Example: “Because she studies hard.”
It leaves the thought incomplete without the main clause.
- Example: “She studies hard.”
- What are the different types of subordinate clauses? Provide examples for each. Answer:
The three main types of subordinate clauses are:- Noun Clauses: Acts as a noun in a sentence.
- Example: “I don’t know what she wants.”
- Adjective Clauses: Modifies a noun or pronoun.
- Example: “The book that I borrowed is excellent.”
- Adverbial Clauses: Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.
- Example: “I will go if it stops raining.”
- Noun Clauses: Acts as a noun in a sentence.
- How can you identify a subordinate clause in a sentence? Answer:
A subordinate clause can often be identified by the subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if) at the beginning. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and leaves the meaning incomplete without a main clause. - Explain how to combine main and subordinate clauses to form complex sentences. Answer:
A complex sentence is formed by joining a main clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction (e.g., if
, when, because) and cannot stand alone.
- Example: “She smiled because she was happy.”
The subordinate clause “because she was happy” is dependent on the main clause “She smiled.”
- Discuss common errors when using clauses in writing. Answer:
Common errors include:- Comma splices: Connecting two independent clauses with a comma.
- Example: “I love reading, I love writing.”
- Correction: “I love reading, and I love writing.”
- Fragment sentences: A subordinate clause is used alone.
- Example: “Although it rained.”
- Correction: “Although it rained, we went outside.”
- Comma splices: Connecting two independent clauses with a comma.