Main clauses
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Summary
Main clauses
In a nutshell
Main clauses are groups of words involving verbs that need to make sense on their own. Sentences must have a main clause in them to make sense.
What is a clause?
A clause is the smallest group of words that can be put together for a particular meaning. This is much like a sentence, but sentences can include more than one clause (and must include at least one). It usually gives information about what a subject is doing.
What is a main clause?
There are two things that make a main clause a main clause.
- It needs to have a subject and a verb. (It might take an object, too!)
- It needs to make sense on its own.
Examples
 The fox drank the water. |  The fox is reading. |
 Jim heard the news. |  Amy will pass her exams. |
What is NOT a main clause?
Some clauses have subjects and verbs in them, but don't count as main clauses. Look at the following examples:
Examples
 The skydiving fox |  Mum being angry |
These are NOT main clauses. In the above examples of main clauses, notice how every verb is in a particular tense. Main clauses must take place in a particular time. The examples here are just descriptions and don't make sense on their own.
Definitions
| Subject | The person/thing that does the action (verb). | Jim heard the news. |
| Verb | The action, occurrence or state. A "doing word". | Jim heard the news. |
| Object | The person/thing the action is done to. | Jim heard the news. |
| Tense | The particular time a verb takes place. | Jim heard the news. (past tense) |
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What are subject and object?
A subject is the person/thing that does the action and the object is the person/thing the action is done to.
What is a clause?
A clause is the smallest group of words that can be put together for a particular meaning.
What is a main clause?
Main clauses are groups of words involving verbs that need to make sense on their own. Sentences must have a main clause in them to make sense.