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Clauses: main, subordinate and relative

A clause is a group of words with a verb. A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause adds information but cannot stand alone - it often starts with a word such as because, although, when or if. A relative clause describes a noun and starts with who, which, that, whose or where.

What is tested

  • Identifying the main clause in a sentence
  • Spotting subordinate clauses and the words that start them
  • Recognising relative clauses (who, which, that, whose, where)

Worked example

In 'Although it was raining, we played outside.', which is the main clause and which is the subordinate clause?

  1. Look for the part that makes sense on its own: 'we played outside'.
  2. 'Although it was raining' starts with 'although' and cannot stand alone.
  3. So 'we played outside' is the main clause and 'Although it was raining' is the subordinate clause.

Answer: Main: we played outside. Subordinate: Although it was raining.

Exam-day checklist

  • Every clause has a verb.
  • Test each part: does it make sense alone?
  • Subordinate clauses often start with because, although, when, if, until, since.
  • Relative clauses start with who, which, that, whose or where and describe a noun.

Common mistakes

  • Calling any group of words a clause, even without a verb.
  • Picking the first clause as the main one every time.
  • Confusing 'which' in a question with a relative pronoun.

Try it yourself

1. Which is the relative clause in 'The boy who won the race was delighted.'?

Show answer

who won the race

It starts with 'who' and describes the boy.

2. What is the main clause in 'I stayed indoors because I felt ill.'?

Show answer

I stayed indoors

It makes sense on its own; 'because I felt ill' does not.

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