1. Main and Subordinate Clauses

2. Main Clause
A main clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.
Example: Gertie practices soccer everyday.

3. Subordinate Clause
A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.
Example: If you finish on time
Example: which we found on the sidewalk
A subordinate clause must be joined with at lease one main clause to make a sentence and express a complete thought.
Subordinate Clause: that Dad cooked for us
Full Sentence: We all enjoyed the dinner that Dad cooked for us.

4. Let’s Try A Few Subordinate clause Main Clause
For the italicized word group, identify if it is a main clause or a subordinate clause.
Subordinate clause
Main Clause
While Dad was sleeping, we decorated the house for his birthday party.
Do you know when the train will arrive?
When the snow melts, these streams will fill and rush down to the valley.
Just as Terri came in the door, the phone rang.