A main clause—also called an independent clause—is necessary to form a complete sentence. Keep reading to learn how to identify main clauses!

The Main Clause - Comic with Aliens

A verb expresses an action — like jump, bark, or study — and the subject is the who or what that does the action.

If a sentence does not have a main clause, it is fragment. 

One kind of fragment is the subordinate, or dependent, clause.


Need more practice identifying subjects and verbs? Complete the practice exercises in this video!



Sentences

Main Clauses
Subordinate Clauses - Comic with Cows
Run-on Sentences
Comma Splices

Teacher Resources


Main and Subordinate Clause Notes

Want clauses for your classroom? Get the Main and Subordinate Clause Notes at TPT.

Grammar Notes Bundle

Maximize students’ grammar with the Grammar Notes Bundle, available through TPT.

Run-on Sentences Notes and Practice

Once students have mastered main clauses, they’re read to tackle run-on sentences. Get the Run-on Sentences Notes and Practice at TPT.

Once students have mastered main clauses, they can learn the rules for using semicolons! Get the Semicolons Notes and Practice at TPT.