# Main and Subordinate Clauses: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

Main and subordinate clauses: A main clause makes complete sense on its own. Rules, examples and a free quick check for Class 6 to 12.

Canonical: https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation/main-and-subordinate-clauses

Source: https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation/main-and-subordinate-clauses

# Main and subordinate clauses: rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

## Check yourself

## Frequently asked questions

## Keep practising

### Key ideas

### What is the rule for main and subordinate clauses?

### What is the main idea to remember in main and subordinate clauses?

### How do I get main and subordinate clauses right?

### Free English grammar test

### More in Clauses, Analysis, Synthesis, Transformation

Short answer. A main clause makes complete sense on its own. A subordinate clause cannot stand alone. It depends on a main clause.

1 . Pick the kind of sentence. Ravi ran home when it started to pour.

A main clause makes complete sense on its own. A subordinate clause cannot stand alone. It depends on a main clause.

A main clause can stand alone. A subordinate clause cannot.

Simple and compound. A simple sentence has one clause. It may still have two subjects or two verbs. A compound sentence joins two main clauses with and, but, or, nor or so.

Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- Where the subordinate clause starts . A subordinate clause starts with a joining word such as because, when, if, until, although, since, than, who, whose or that. It can come first or last.
- Simple and compound . A simple sentence has one clause. It may still have two subjects or two verbs. A compound sentence joins two main clauses with and, but, or, nor or so.
- Complex sentences . A complex sentence has one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
- A main clause can stand alone. A subordinate clause cannot.

## Key Links

- [English grammar](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar)
- [Clauses, Analysis, Synthesis, Transformation](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation)
- [Start free →](https://www.swavid.com/signup)
- [Practise 30 more questions free →](https://www.swavid.com/signup)
- [15 Free English grammar test Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/test)
- [More in Clauses, Analysis, Synthesis, Transformation All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation)