Main and Subordinate

Clauses

Grammar & Language

Goal: I understand the difference between main

and subordinate clauses. 1. I don’t know much about this topic.

2. I know a little about this topic.

3. I know a bit about this topic and have used it.

4. I could explain this topic to my peers and assist them.

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APK

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What is a Main Clause?• A main clause (sometimes called an independent

clause) can be a sentence on its own and does not need any detail added to it. It usually shows the most important information.

• A main clause must contain a subject and a verb. • For example, “a giant spider made its home

behind the shampoo bottle in Kath’s shower”• Spider = the subject. Has made = the verb. It is a

main clause because it makes sense on its own

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Identify the Subject & Verb

• The Bombers defeated the Magpies.– Subject= ___________ (Who?)– Verb= ____________ (What did they do?)

• Matt addressed the whole school.– Subject= ___________ (Who?)– Verb= ____________ (What did he/she do?)

Identify the Subject & Verb

• The Bombers defeated the Magpies.– Subject= Bombers– Verb= defeated

• Matt addressed the whole school.– Subject= Matt– Verb= addressed

What is a Subordinate Clause?• A subordinate clause does not express a

complete thought and adds more detail to a main clause.

• The subordinate clause isn’t always at the end of the sentence.

• A subordinate clause usually starts with words such as after, because, before, if, once, since, that, when, while, which, and who.

• For example, “because I went to Tony’s house” is a subordinate clause because it does not express a complete thought.

• Main clauses are in green. Subordinate clauses are in red.

• When I am older I will ride in a hot air balloon.

• I have a fun granny because she teaches me how to paint.

• ‘When’ and ‘because’ are clues to tell you which part of the sentence is the subordinate clause.

Application Exercise 1Can you write a subordinate clause to tell me more about these sentences?•Eight enormous gorillas ran through the forest _______________________•I went to the football and had a great time _______________________

Now can you write a main clause to go with these subordinate clauses?•_______________________ if they go on holiday in France. •Grandma said I could go out to play _______________________

Application Exercise 2• Get out your draft book and read through a

piece of your writing.• Identify 4 times where you have only used a

main clause and re-write the sentence in your INB, adding a subordinate clause to make the writing more interesting.

• Find 4 examples where you have used a main and subordinate clause in your writing, and identify each clause.

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Reflection

Draw a comic strip where the characters use a main and subordinate clause.

Goal: I understand the difference between main

and subordinate clauses. 1.I don’t know much about this topic.

2. I know a little about this topic.

3. I know a bit about this topic and have used it.

4. I could explain this topic to my peers and assist them.

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