Difference Between Main Clause and Subordinate Clause

The key difference between main clause and subordinate clause is that the main clause expresses a complete thought whereas the subordinate clause (or dependent clause) doesn’t express a complete thought.

A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate. Some clauses have the ability to express a complete meaning whereas some don’t. We can divide clauses into two categories according to this ability to express a complete thought: main clause or subordinate clause. Since main clause can convey a complete thought, it can stand independently. However, subordinate clause is dependent on the main clause since it cannot express a complete thought.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Main Clause
3. What is Subordinate Clause
4. Side by Side Comparison – Main Clause vs Subordinate Clause in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Main Clause?

A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as an independent sentence. Let’s look at the following example:

He wanted to go to France because his mother was born there.

The underlined clause in the above sentence has a subject and a predicate. It also gives a complete meaning and can stand as an independent sentence. Therefore, it is a main clause.

Every sentence has at least one main clause. Some sentences can have two main clauses. We call such sentences compound sentences. The two main clauses in a compound sentence are combined with a coordinating conjunction.

Some more examples of main clauses are as follows:

She loved her husband, but he was having an affair with another woman.

Finish your dinner before the food gets cold.

We can’t help you unless you tell us your problem.

While I was driving, I noticed a huge poster in their front yard.

I lost my diamond necklace, which is very expensive.

What is Subordinate Clause?

A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a clause that doesn’t convey a complete thought. A subordinate clause will also contain a subject and a predicate, just like a main clause. However, a subordinate clause always begins with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun and gives additional information about the sentences.

Let’s look at some examples of subordinate clauses.

I’ll buy a house when I have saved enough money.

He bought her a romance novel although she prefers thrillers.

Lily, who lives with her twenty cats, doesn’t like strangers.

Whoever told you that was lying.

Even though I told the truth, the police didn’t believe me.

As you can see from the above examples, subordinate clauses can occur anywhere in the sentence.

What is the Difference Between Main Clause and Subordinate Clause?

A main clause can express a complete thought whereas a subordinate clause cannot express a complete thought. This is the key difference between main clause and subordinate clause. Since the main clause can convey a complete thought, it can stand independently. However, subordinate clause is dependent on the main clause since it cannot express a complete thought. Thus, a subordinate clause cannot stand alone as an independent clause.

The below infographic presents the difference between main clause and subordinate clause in tabular form.

Summary – Main Clause vs Subordinate Clause

Main clause and subordinate clause are the two main categories of clauses. A main clause can convey a complete meaning; thus, it can stand alone as an independent sentence. However, a subordinate clause always depends on the main clause as it cannot convey a complete thought. This is the basic difference between main clause and subordinate clause.

Reference:

1. Simmons, Robin L. “The Main Clause.” Grammar Bytes! :: The Coordinating Conjunction, Available here.
2. Shrives, Craig. “What Is a Subordinate Clause? (with Examples).” Grammar Monster, Available here.

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