As the name itself suggests, a main or an independent clause can stand alone. It makes complete sense. Every sentence must have one main clause.

A subordinate clause cannot stand alone. Subordinate clauses are introduced by a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. Sometimes, they are introduced by question words like why, what or how.

Examples of common subordinating conjunctions are: as, since, because, though, although, even though, if, whether, even if, as if, as though, unless, when, before, after, as soon as, until

Examples of relative pronouns are: who, which, that, whose, what

A sentence can have one or more subordinate clauses. Note that we use just one conjunction or relative pronoun to connect two clauses. So, if there are three clauses in a sentence, it will have two connecting words (conjunctions or relative pronouns).

Identify the main clause (MC) and subordinate clause (SC) in the following sentences.

1. You can call me whenever you want.

2. It is such a frightening experience that I will never forget it.

3. She arrived just as I was about to leave.

4. I was late because my car broke down on the way.

5. It was such a hot day that I became restless.

6. The baby kept crying because he was cold.

7. Deserts are arid places where plants cannot grow.

8. She told me something which I will never forget.

9. Though Sam is a good friend I did not invite him to my birthday party.

10. The novel had such a gripping storyline that I finished reading it in one sitting.

11. She has never told me what she thinks about me.

12. I think that we are making a mistake.

13. The mango sapling that I planted 10 years ago has grown into a huge tree.

14. I have great respect for the old lady who adopts all stray animals.

15. Although we lived in the same house I never really got to know her.

16. I do not like people who are constantly finding faults with others.

17. She had left before I reached her place.

18. If you had lent me some money I could have bought that car.

19. He sat there smiling as if it was his birthday,

20. We should not trust people who go back on their words.

Answers

1. You can call me (MC) whenever you want. (subordinate adverb clause of time)

2. It is such a frightening experience (MC) that I will never forget it. (subordinate adverb clause of cause or reason)

3. She arrived (MC) just as I was about to leave. (subordinate adverb clause of time)

4. I was late (MC) because my car broke down on the way. (subordinate adverb clause of reason)

5. It was such a hot day (MC) that I became restless. (subordinate adverb clause showing effect)

6. The baby kept crying (MC) because he was cold. (subordinate adverb clause of reason)

7. Deserts are arid places (MC) where plants cannot grow. (subordinate adjective clause giving more information about the noun places)

8. She told me something (MC) which I will never forget (subordinate adjective clause giving more information about the pronoun something).

9. Though Sam is a good friend (subordinate adverb clause) I did not invite him to my birthday party. (MC)

10. The novel had such a gripping storyline (MC) that I finished reading it in one sitting (subordinate adverb clause showing reason).

11. She has never told me (MC) what she thinks about me. (subordinate noun clause acting as the object of the verb told)

12. I think (MC) that we are making a mistake. (subordinate noun clause acting as the object of the verb think)

13. MC – the mango sapling has grown into a huge tree; subordinate adjective clause – that I planted 10 years ago

14. I have great respect for the old lady (MC) who adopts all stray animals. (subordinate adjective clause)

15. Although we lived in the same house (subordinate adverb clause expressing concession or contrast) I never really got to know her. (MC)

16. I do not like people (MC) who are constantly finding faults with others. (subordinate adjective clause giving more information about the noun people)

17. She had left (MC) before I reached her place. (subordinate adverb clause showing time)

18. If you had lent me some money (subordinate adverb clause expressing condition) I could have bought that car. (MC)

19. He sat there smiling (MC) as if it was his birthday. (subordinate adverb clause showing manner)

20. We should not trust people (MC) who go back on their words. (subordinate adjective clause that gives more information about the noun people)