main clause

main clause
noun
a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence
• Syn: ↑independent clause
• Hypernyms: ↑clause
• Part Holonyms: ↑complex sentence

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Gram.
a clause that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a predicate with a finite verb, as I was there in the sentence I was there when he arrived. Cf. subordinate clause.

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main clause noun (grammar)
Same as ↑principal clause (see under ↑principal)
• • •
Main Entry: ↑main

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main clause UK US noun [countable] [singular main clause plural main clauses] linguistics
a clause that can be a sentence on its own
Thesaurus: types and forms of word, clause or sentencehyponym

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main clause,
Grammar. a clause in a complex sentence that can act by itself as a sentence; independent clause: [Main clause] »

There are differences of opinion on the matter [subordinate clause] which cause a great deal of disharmony.

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n. Grammar a clause that can form a complete sentence standing alone, having a subject and a predicate. Contrasted with subordinate clause

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noun, pl ⋯ clauses [count]
grammar : a clause that could be used by itself as a simple sentence but that is part of a larger sentence — called also independent clause — compare ↑coordinate clause, ↑subordinate clause

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ˌmain ˈclause [main clause] noun (grammar)
a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and can form a sentence

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • main clause — main clauses N COUNT A main clause is a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Compare subordinate clause …   English dictionary

  • main clause — n technical a ↑clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence →↑subordinate clause …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • main clause — main′ clause′ n. gram. a clause that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a predicate with a finite verb, as I was there in the sentence I was there when he arrived Compare subordinate clause …   From formal English to slang

  • main clause — noun count a CLAUSE that can be a sentence on its own …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • main clause — n. Gram. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE …   English World dictionary

  • main clause — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms main clause : singular main clause plural main clauses linguistics a clause that can be a sentence on its own …   English dictionary

  • main clause — /ˈmeɪn klɔz/ (say mayn klawz) noun (in a complex sentence) the clause which may stand syntactically as a sentence by itself; independent clause. For example, in I was out when he came in, the main clause is I was out …  

  • main clause — noun A clause that can stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence; contains at least a subject and a verb. Syn: independent clause, matrix clause …   Wiktionary

  • main clause — Gram. a clause that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a predicate with a finite verb, as I was there in the sentence I was there when he arrived. Cf. subordinate clause. * * * …   Universalium

  • main clause — independent clause, group of words within a sentence that can act as a sentence (Grammar) …   English contemporary dictionary

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