Question

Identify the main (DEPENDENT) and subordinate (INDEPENDENT) clauses in the following sentences. Write MC for main clause and SC for subordinate clause against each. Every day we waste so many sheets of paper that we should recycle. Someone had knocked at the door but we didn’t hear anything. If we start recycling in school, it would set a good example for everyone. Later we heard a strange noise and we were very scared. The bag, which I bought yesterday, is torn. Gitika bought a dress which her sister chose. I walked home from work and felt extremely tired.

Answer 1

The main clause (MC) and the subordinate clause (SC) in the given sentences are as follows:-

Every day we waste so many sheets of paper - MC

that we should recycle - SC

Someone had knocked at the door - MC

but we didn’t hear anything - SC

If we start recycling in school, - SC

it would set a good example for everyone - MC

Later we heard a strange noise - SC

and we were very scared - MC

The bag, -MC

which I bought yesterday, is torn. - SC

Gitika bought a dress - MC

which her sister chose. - SC

I walked home from work - MC

and felt extremely tired. - SC

• main clause in a sentence is the part which is the subject and is independent in nature
• subordinate clause is the one which is dependent on the main clause and does not make sense on its own.
• the subordinate clause uses a subordinate conjunction at it's beginning in most of the cases.