Main Clause & Subordinate Clause
A clause is a combination of related words containing a subject and a verb. It can be a simple sentence or a part of a compound sentence.
Examples:


Clauses have two major types:
- Independent Clause (Main Clause)
- Dependant Clause (Subordinate Clause)
Understanding ‘Main Clauses & Subordinate Clauses’
Read the following sentence:
I saw a man who was crying.

Main or Independent Clause:
Examples
I saw a man who was crying.
The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
I met a friend who helped me a lot.
They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill.
He does not like the people who smoke.
We met a man who could speak many languages.
She loves her husband, who never tells a lie.

Subordinate or Dependent Clause:
Examples:
I saw a man who was crying.
The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
I met a friend who had helped me a lot.
They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill.
He does not like the people who smoke.
We met a man who could speak many languages.
She loves her husband, who never tells a lie.
Dependent Clauses have further three types:
- Noun Clause
- Adjective Clause
- Adverb Clause
To read the types of subordinate clauses, click on "Types of Subordinate Clause"