This worksheet challenges students to identify the main clause within eight different complex sentences.
Complex sentences grammar worksheet asking students to underline the main clause in eight example sentences.
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Step-by-step solution for: Complex Sentence Worksheets | Free English Worksheets
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Complex Sentence Worksheets | Free English Worksheets
Let's solve this step by step.
Underline the main clause in each sentence.
A complex sentence has:
- One main clause (independent clause) – it can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- One or more subordinate clauses (dependent clauses) – they cannot stand alone and begin with subordinating conjunctions like *although, because, when, until, after, since*, etc.
We need to identify the main clause in each sentence and underline it.
---
- "Even though he liked soccer" → dependent clause (starts with "even though")
- "he never played it with his friends" → independent clause (can stand alone)
✔ Main clause: *he never played it with his friends*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: he never played it with his friends
---
- "He played on the computer" → independent clause
- "after he ate dinner" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *He played on the computer*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: He played on the computer
---
- "Ever since he lived in the new house" → dependent clause
- "he has made it to work on time" → independent clause
✔ Main clause: *he has made it to work on time*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: he has made it to work on time
---
- "Becca never has desert" → independent clause
- "until her father has had some" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Becca never has desert*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Becca never has desert
---
- "Simon bought a new car" → independent clause
- "because he got a pay rise" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Simon bought a new car*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Simon bought a new car
---
- "When houses get cheaper" → dependent clause
- "I'm going to buy one" → independent clause
✔ Main clause: *I'm going to buy one*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: I'm going to buy one
---
- "Trish decided to quit baseball" → independent clause
- "because she wasn't very good" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Trish decided to quit baseball*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Trish decided to quit baseball
---
- "Mandy couldn't have any food" → independent clause
- "until she finished her homework" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Mandy couldn't have any food*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Mandy couldn't have any food
---
1. Even though he liked soccer, he never played it with his friends.
2. He played on the computer after he ate dinner.
3. Ever since he lived in the new house, he has made it to work on time.
4. Becca never has desert until her father has had some.
5. Simon bought a new car because he got a pay rise.
6. When houses get cheaper, I'm going to buy one.
7. Trish decided to quit baseball because she wasn't very good.
8. Mandy couldn't have any food until she finished her homework.
---
💡 Tip: The main clause is usually the part that makes sense on its own. Look for the subject and verb that form a complete thought — that’s your main clause!
Task:
Underline the main clause in each sentence.
A complex sentence has:
- One main clause (independent clause) – it can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- One or more subordinate clauses (dependent clauses) – they cannot stand alone and begin with subordinating conjunctions like *although, because, when, until, after, since*, etc.
We need to identify the main clause in each sentence and underline it.
---
1. Even though he liked soccer, he never played it with his friends.
- "Even though he liked soccer" → dependent clause (starts with "even though")
- "he never played it with his friends" → independent clause (can stand alone)
✔ Main clause: *he never played it with his friends*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: he never played it with his friends
---
2. He played on the computer after he ate dinner.
- "He played on the computer" → independent clause
- "after he ate dinner" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *He played on the computer*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: He played on the computer
---
3. Ever since he lived in the new house, he has made it to work on time.
- "Ever since he lived in the new house" → dependent clause
- "he has made it to work on time" → independent clause
✔ Main clause: *he has made it to work on time*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: he has made it to work on time
---
4. Becca never has desert until her father has had some.
- "Becca never has desert" → independent clause
- "until her father has had some" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Becca never has desert*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Becca never has desert
---
5. Simon bought a new car because he got a pay rise.
- "Simon bought a new car" → independent clause
- "because he got a pay rise" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Simon bought a new car*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Simon bought a new car
---
6. When houses get cheaper, I'm going to buy one.
- "When houses get cheaper" → dependent clause
- "I'm going to buy one" → independent clause
✔ Main clause: *I'm going to buy one*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: I'm going to buy one
---
7. Trish decided to quit baseball because she wasn't very good.
- "Trish decided to quit baseball" → independent clause
- "because she wasn't very good" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Trish decided to quit baseball*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Trish decided to quit baseball
---
8. Mandy couldn't have any food until she finished her homework.
- "Mandy couldn't have any food" → independent clause
- "until she finished her homework" → dependent clause
✔ Main clause: *Mandy couldn't have any food*
> ✔ Answer: Underline: Mandy couldn't have any food
---
✔ Final Answers (with underlined main clauses):
1. Even though he liked soccer, he never played it with his friends.
2. He played on the computer after he ate dinner.
3. Ever since he lived in the new house, he has made it to work on time.
4. Becca never has desert until her father has had some.
5. Simon bought a new car because he got a pay rise.
6. When houses get cheaper, I'm going to buy one.
7. Trish decided to quit baseball because she wasn't very good.
8. Mandy couldn't have any food until she finished her homework.
---
💡 Tip: The main clause is usually the part that makes sense on its own. Look for the subject and verb that form a complete thought — that’s your main clause!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of complex sentences worksheet 4th grade.
