What is a principle clause and subordinate clause? Im studying for an English exam and I dont understand clauses at all. My Best Answer (Chosen by Voter) A clause is a question, statement or command. A clause which can stand by itself is called a main clause or principal clause. A main clause (principal clause) generally is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate. The only exceptions are certain commands (Go to the bathroom!) which contain only a predicate. It does not generally begin with a subordinator (subordinate conjunction) unless it is a question. EXAMPLES: Jack and Jill went up the hill when they needed water. When Felicity became president of the company, she was happy. No one knew what was wrong after the storm ended. Why did you leave the room? The student who left early will not complete the assignment. A subordinate clause cannot stand by itself in standard written English. Although a subordinate clause can be part of a question, it cannot be a question by itself. subordinate clause-. a clause that modifies the principal clause or some part of it or that serves a noun function in the principal clause, as when she arrived in the sentence I was there when she arrived or that she has arrived in the sentence I doubt that she has arrived. When the principal clause is in the past tense When the principal (main) clause is in the past tense, the verb in the subordinating clause also should be in the past tense. EXAMPLES: The bird saw the man who sat on the train tracks. While the bird watched, another man crept up behind it. He captured the animal, because it was not paying any attention. It is a sad story, that I am telling. Did you know that you would not enjoy it?
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 01:43:52 +0000
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