Worksheet Solutions: The Clause

Identify the main clause and the subordinate clause in the following sentences.

Q.1. She said that she was hungry.

She said (main clause) that she was hungry (subordinate clause). 
The main clause gives the principal action and can stand alone; the subordinate clause begins with that and reports what she said, so it depends on the main clause for full meaning.

Q.2. Do you know where he lives?

Do you know (main clause) where he lives (subordinate clause)? 
The subordinate clause begins with the question word where and functions as the object of the main verb know; it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Q.3. As he was ill, he didn't go to school.

As he was ill (subordinate clause), he didn't go to school (main clause). 
The subordinating conjunction as shows reason, so the first clause gives the reason and depends on the main clause for a complete idea.

Q.4. Though I studied well, I could not get good marks.

Though I studied well (subordinate clause), I could not get good marks (main clause). 
The subordinate clause begins with though and shows a contrast; it cannot stand alone and explains the condition related to the main clause.

Q.5. I asked him if he was free.

I asked him (main clause) if he was free (subordinate clause). 
The clause beginning with if functions as the object of asked and depends on the main clause to make sense.

Q.6. She insisted until I said Yes.

She insisted (main clause) until I said Yes (subordinate clause). 
The subordinate clause begins with the conjunction until and shows the time limit of the action; it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Q.7.  He asked me what I was doing there.

He asked me (main clause) what I was doing there (subordinate clause). 
The subordinate clause, introduced by the question word what, acts as the object of asked and depends on the main clause for meaning.

Q.8. This is the child whose dad is a sailor.

This is the child (main clause) whose dad is a sailor (subordinate clause). 
The subordinate clause begins with the relative pronoun whose and gives extra information about the child; it cannot stand alone.

Q.9. He started shouting before I had said a word.

He started shouting (main clause) before I had said a word (subordinate clause). 
The subordinate clause, introduced by before, shows time and depends on the main clause for a full sense of the action.

Q.10. After he finished his studies, he started looking for work.

After he finished his studies (subordinate clause), he started looking for work (main clause). 
The subordinate clause begins with after and indicates time; it cannot stand alone and provides background for the main action.

Q.11. It was raining when we reached his place.

It was raining (main clause) when we reached his place (subordinate clause). 
The subordinate clause, introduced by when, shows the time of the main action and depends on the main clause to complete the idea.

Q.12. This is the estate that belongs to my grandfather.

This is the estate (main clause) that belongs to my grandfather (subordinate clause). 
The subordinate clause begins with the relative pronoun that and describes which estate is meant; it cannot stand alone.