What Are Main and Subordinate Clauses? | KS2 English Concept for Kids

Twinkl Educational Publishing
2 Oct 202312:13

Summary

TLDRThis educational video script delves into the structure of main and subordinate clauses in English grammar. Main clauses, also known as independent clauses, are self-sufficient groups of words containing a subject and a verb that express a complete thought. Examples include 'We flew some colorful kites' and 'The sun was shining and I felt happy.' Subordinate clauses, or dependent clauses, contain a subject and a verb but require a main clause for full meaning and often start with subordinating conjunctions, remembered by the acronym I SAW A WABUB. The script guides viewers through exercises to identify these clauses in sentences, enhancing understanding of their roles in constructing sentences.

Takeaways

  • 📝 A main clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
  • đŸ‹ïžâ€â™‚ïž Main clauses are also known as independent clauses because they do not rely on other clauses for meaning.
  • 🔍 To identify a main clause, look for a section of a sentence that includes both a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own.
  • 📚 Examples of main clauses include 'We flew some colorful kites' and 'The dog chased the ball'.
  • 📌 Main clauses can be expanded with additional clauses or phrases without changing the core structure that defines them as main clauses.
  • ➕ A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb but does not make sense on its own and depends on a main clause to form a complete sentence.
  • 🔑 Subordinate clauses are also called dependent clauses and often begin with subordinating conjunctions, which can be remembered by the acronym I SAW A WABUB (if, since, as, when, although, while, after, before, until, because).
  • 🔎 To find a subordinate clause, look for a part of a sentence that starts with a subordinating conjunction and does not convey a complete thought independently.
  • 📖 Examples of subordinate clauses include 'After having a long nap' and 'Although the strange creatures were small', which depend on the main clause to form a complete sentence.
  • 📝 The difference between main and subordinate clauses lies in their ability to stand alone (main clauses can, subordinate clauses cannot) and their role in sentence structure.

Q & A

  • What is a main clause?

    -A main clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that carries out the action. It expresses a complete thought and makes sense on its own as a sentence.

  • Why are main clauses also known as independent clauses?

    -Main clauses are called independent clauses because they can stand alone and express a complete thought without needing to be attached to another clause.

  • Can you provide an example of a main clause?

    -Yes, 'The dog chased the ball' is an example of a main clause because it contains a subject (the dog), a verb (chased), and makes sense on its own.

  • How can you identify a main clause in a sentence?

    -To identify a main clause, look for a part of the sentence that contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete thought.

  • What is the role of a subordinate clause in a sentence?

    -A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb but does not make sense on its own. It depends on a main clause to form a complete sentence.

  • What is the acronym I SAW A WABUB used for?

    -The acronym I SAW A WABUB is used to remember the most common subordinating conjunctions: if, since, as, when, although, while, after, before, until, and because.

  • Can a sentence have more than one main clause?

    -Yes, a sentence can have multiple main clauses, as long as each expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and a verb.

  • How does a subordinate clause differ from a main clause?

    -A subordinate clause differs from a main clause in that it does not make sense on its own and requires a main clause to form a complete sentence.

  • What is the function of a subordinating conjunction in a sentence?

    -A subordinating conjunction functions to link a subordinate clause to a main clause, providing a connection that helps form a complete sentence.

  • Can you give an example of a sentence with both a main and a subordinate clause?

    -Yes, 'Although the strange creatures were small, they were incredibly fast.' Here, 'Although the strange creatures were small' is a subordinate clause, and 'they were incredibly fast' is the main clause.

  • How can you tell if a clause is a subordinate clause?

    -A clause is a subordinate clause if it begins with a subordinating conjunction and does not make sense on its own, needing a main clause to complete its meaning.

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Étiquettes Connexes
English GrammarClause StructureMain ClausesSubordinate ClausesLanguage LearningEducational VideoSyntax RulesWriting SkillsEnglish LanguageCommunication
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