Main Clauses

A Sentence by Another Name Simply put, “Main Clause” is another word for a sentence It must contain at least one subject, at least one verb, and only one complete idea

Simple Sentences Simple sentences are those that only contain one main clause with one complete idea PLEASE NOTE THAT A SIMPLE SENTENCE CAN HAVE MORE THAN ONE SUBJECT AND/OR VERB, BUT IT CAN ONLY HAVE ONE COMPLETE IDEA!

A Few Examples: One subject (S), one verb (V), one complete idea (CI): George is a nice person. The rate are gross. We are a class. The group ate rice. Two or more S (compound subject), one V, one CI Lacy and I are friends. The dogs and cats ate together. Nick and Joe drove to town.

Continued One S, two or more V (compound predicate), one CI I ate and drank. The boys talked and listened. Compound subject, compound predicate, and one CI Lucy and Shakita played and slept. The men, women, and children talked and waited.

NOTE: EVEN WITH MORE THAN ONE SUBJECT AND VERB, A SENTENCE IS STILL SIMPLE (ONLY ONE MAIN CLUASE) IF IT ONLY HAS ONE COMPLETE IDEA!!

Compound Sentences Compound Sentences are those that contain two or more main clauses connected by either: , and , or , but , for , so , yet , nor ;

Some Examples I sat on the couch, and Janet talked on the phone. I sang and danced; she slept. Janet and Lindsay ate, but I did not. The man and woman walked and talked, but the boy and girl sat and listened. EACH SIDE HAS ITS OWN SUBJECT(S), PREDICATE(S) AND COMPLETE IDEA