Main Clauses ad Subordinate Clauses - ESL worksheet by penot - Free Printable

Of course! Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to understand the difference between main clauses (independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences) and subordinate clauses/phrases (dependent parts that cannot stand alone).

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## ✔ PART A: Underline main clauses. Circle subordinate clauses and phrases.

We’ll go through each phrase and label it.

Left Column:

1. Because tom loves eating spicy food → ❗️This starts with “Because” — a subordinating conjunction → CIRCLE (Subordinate Clause)
2. Every friday morning at 8:30am → This is a time phrase, no subject + verb → CIRCLE (Phrase)
3. henry comes to teach us english → Subject “henry”, verb “comes” → Complete thought → UNDERLINE (Main Clause)
4. I want to be a police officer → Subject “I”, verb “want” → Complete thought → UNDERLINE (Main Clause)
5. The pen isn’t working → Subject “The pen”, verb “isn’t working” → Complete thought → UNDERLINE (Main Clause)

Right Column:

6. so I throw it away → Starts with “so” — here it’s a coordinating conjunction, but the clause “I throw it away” is complete → UNDERLINE (Main Clause)
*Note: “So” can sometimes introduce a result, but since “I throw it away” is independent, we underline it.*

7. As singapore is cleaner than bangkok → Starts with “As” — subordinating conjunction → CIRCLE (Subordinate Clause)

8. he ate all of the tom yum goong → Subject “he”, verb “ate” → Complete thought → UNDERLINE (Main Clause)

9. When I grow up → Starts with “When” — subordinating conjunction → CIRCLE (Subordinate Clause)

10. I want to live there → Subject “I”, verb “want” → Complete thought → UNDERLINE (Main Clause)

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✔ Summary for Part A:

Underline (Main Clauses):
- henry comes to teach us english
- I want to be a police officer
- The pen isn’t working
- so I throw it away
- he ate all of the tom yum goong
- I want to live there

Circle (Subordinate Clauses/Phrases):
- Because tom loves eating spicy food
- Every friday morning at 8:30am
- As singapore is cleaner than bangkok
- When I grow up

*(Note: “so I throw it away” is underlined because “I throw it away” is an independent clause. “So” connects it to a previous idea, but grammatically, it’s still a main clause.)*

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## ✔ PART B: Match main clauses with subordinate clauses/phrases. Write complete complex sentences.

We need to pair one main clause with one subordinate clause or phrase to make a logical, grammatically correct sentence. We must use capitals, full stops, and commas where needed.

Let’s match logically:

Possible Logical Matches:

1. Because Tom loves eating spicy food, he ate all of the tom yum goong.
→ Subordinate clause explains why he ate it.

2. Every Friday morning at 8:30am, Henry comes to teach us English.
→ Time phrase sets when the action happens.

3. When I grow up, I want to be a police officer.
→ Subordinate clause sets time for future desire.

4. As Singapore is cleaner than Bangkok, I want to live there.
→ Reason for wanting to live there.

5. The pen isn’t working, so I throw it away.
→ Result of the pen not working.

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✔ Answers for Part B:

1. Because Tom loves eating spicy food, he ate all of the tom yum goong.

2. Every Friday morning at 8:30am, Henry comes to teach us English.

3. When I grow up, I want to be a police officer.

4. As Singapore is cleaner than Bangkok, I want to live there.

5. The pen isn’t working, so I throw it away.

*(Note: You could also match “I want to live there” with “As Singapore is cleaner...”, which we did above. All matches are logical.)*

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## ✔ PART C: Circle the subordinate clause in these sentences.

We’re given full sentences — find and circle only the subordinate clause (not the whole sentence!).

1. When Jimmy opened the door, a swarm of bees came flying in.
→ Subordinate clause: When Jimmy opened the door → CIRCLE this part.

2. This worksheet, which has 10 questions, is very easy.
→ Subordinate clause: which has 10 questions → CIRCLE this part. (It’s a relative clause modifying “worksheet”.)

3. In the morning if I am free, I will help you with your project.
→ Subordinate clause: if I am free → CIRCLE this part.
*(“In the morning” is a phrase, not a clause — it doesn’t have a subject + verb.)*

4. I can relax now because I have finished all of my homework.
→ Subordinate clause: because I have finished all of my homework → CIRCLE this part.

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✔ Answers for Part C:

1. Circle: When Jimmy opened the door

2. Circle: which has 10 questions

3. Circle: if I am free

4. Circle: because I have finished all of my homework

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## 🎯 Final Notes:

- Main Clause = Can stand alone as a sentence. Has subject + verb.
- Subordinate Clause = Cannot stand alone. Starts with words like *because, when, if, as, which, who*, etc.
- Phrase = Group of words without subject + verb (e.g., “Every Friday morning at 8:30am”).

You’ve now completed the entire worksheet! Great job practicing complex sentences and clause identification. 😊

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✔ All answers summarized for submission:

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PART A

Underline (Main Clauses):
- henry comes to teach us english
- I want to be a police officer
- The pen isn’t working
- so I throw it away
- he ate all of the tom yum goong
- I want to live there

Circle (Subordinate Clauses/Phrases):
- Because tom loves eating spicy food
- Every friday morning at 8:30am
- As singapore is cleaner than bangkok
- When I grow up

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PART B

1. Because Tom loves eating spicy food, he ate all of the tom yum goong.
2. Every Friday morning at 8:30am, Henry comes to teach us English.
3. When I grow up, I want to be a police officer.
4. As Singapore is cleaner than Bangkok, I want to live there.
5. The pen isn’t working, so I throw it away.

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PART C

1. Circle: When Jimmy opened the door
2. Circle: which has 10 questions
3. Circle: if I am free
4. Circle: because I have finished all of my homework

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Let me know if you’d like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!