What is a Main Clause Definition and Examples in English Grammar

For a sentence to be complete, rather than a fragment, it must include a main clause. In English grammar, a main clause (also known as in independent clause, superordinate clause, or base clause) is a group of words made up of a subject and a predicate that together express a complete concept. To write sentences effectively, a writer must decide which information to include in the main clause and which to relegate to dependent clauses. The basic rule of thumb is to make sure the most important information goes into the main clause, while information that ties things together by providing description and nuance gets placed in a dependent clause. Examples and Observations In sentence structure, the simple subject is the who, what, or where that comprises the main focus of the sentence. The predicate is the part of the sentence (the verb) that shows the action. For example, in the sentence, The angry bear howled ominously, the word bear is the simple subject and the predicate is howled so the main clause of the sentence would be, The bear howled. In The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics, P.H. Matthews defined a main clause as [a] clause which bears no relation, or no relation other than coordination, to any other or larger clause. Unlike a dependent or subordinate clause, a main clause can stand alone as a sentence, while two or more main clauses can be joined with a coordinating conjunction (such as and) to create a compound sentence. In the following examples, notice the main clause does not necessarily include modifying words. While Fern was in school, Wilbur was shut up inside his yard.—From Charlottes Web by E.B. White. Main clause: Wilbur was shut up Since Fern was in school is modified by the word while which is a subordinate conjunction, While Fern was in school is a subordinate clause, rather than a main clause. Dinner always took a long time, because Antonapoulos loved food and he was very slow.—From The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers Main clause: Dinner took a long time Since its modified by the word because, another subordinate conjunction, because Antonapoulos loved food and he was very slow is a subordinate clause. I learned to type when I was 12 years old. When I finished the class my father bought me a Royal portable typewriter.—From The Writing Life, by Ellen Gilchrist Main clauses: I learned to typemy father bought a typewriter Since when I was 12 years old and When I finished the class are modified by when, yet another subordinate conjunction, they are both subordinate clauses. My father bought a typewriter is the main thought in the second sentence so its the main clause. Yes, he can do that until his crops fail one day and he has to borrow money from the bank.—From The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck Main clauses: he can do thathe has to borrow money Since these two clauses are joined by the conjunction and, they are both main clauses. Sources Matthews, P. H. Main Clause, cited from The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics. Oxford University Press, 1997

Jane Eyre vs. Great Expectatio - 1869 Words

Both Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontà «, and Great Expectations, written by Charles Dickens, have many Victorian similarities. Both novels are influenced by the same three elements. The first is the gothic novel, which instilled mystery, suspense, and horror into the work. The second is the romantic poets, which gave the literature liberty, individualism, and nature. The third is the Byronic hero, which consists of the outcast or rebel who is proud and melancholy and seeks a purer life. The results when all three combined are works of literature like Jane Eyre and Great Expectations. BOTH NOVELS CONVEY THE SAME VICTORIAN IDEOLOGIES COMMON FOR THE TIME PERIOD IN, WHICH THEY WERE WRITTEN. Brontà « displays many of her experiences and†¦show more content†¦Literally, I was (what he often called me) the apple of his eye. He saw natureÂâ€"he saw books through be; and never did I weary of gazing for his behalf, and of putting into words the effect of field, tree, town, riv er, cloud, sunbeam Ââ€" of the landscape before us; of the weather round us Ââ€" and impressing by sound on his ear what light could no longer stamp on his eye (Brontà «, 475). The new relationship forged between Jane and a new Rochester, according to Bronte, knits them very close and happy. Jane becomes Rochesters hands and eyes, becomes the controller of how he moves and perceives. Jane becomes the apple of his eye. An empowered woman, why should not Jane be content and why should not Brontà «, a female writer, pass anything by the best of judgements over this unequal arrangement. Pip, however, in his childlike way, understands the problems of vicarious experience. He worries his account of the Havisham would not be understood, nor would his account of Miss Havisham herself. Moreover, the word coarse has made such an impression of him from Estella, which Pip worries whether his station allows him to drag Miss Havisham as she really wasÂ…before the contemplation of Mrs . Joe Gargery. Pip, then is acutely aware of how his and Mrs. Joes lower class standing to Miss Havishams limits the observations he may make, whereas between Rochester and Jane, the previous class distinctions have disintegrated, allowing

Education of sex in schools Essay Example For Students

Education of sex in schools Essay Sex is something that almost everyone will experience before they die. It is a subject that has been debated about for years. From the debate over birth control to the outbreak of aids. With all this history behind us, sex is becoming even more of an issue. With the new outbreaks of sexually transmitted diseases and the fact that sexually active persons are becoming younger, sex has now become a daily topic. Sex scandals in the media and talk such as â€Å"who slept with who at last night’s keg party† are making these daily conversations apparent in high schools, middle schools, and in a lot of cases grade schools. As the saying goes â€Å"monkey see monkey do† one can only assume that this concept will pertain to these easily influenced children. That is why it is imperative that another side of this issue is presented on a regular basis, a side that demonstrates safe sex as well as no sex. Sex is a basic instinct in all-living beings; sex education in Georgia p ublic schools should encourage abstinence because it is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and disease, but not dismiss protective measures for those who become sexually active, because no matter much you emphasize abstinence, there will always be those who choose to participate in sexual activity. Sex is a basic instinct in all-living beings. Men and women were intended to fall in love and he gave us all a sex drive so that we could become one with that person. Whether people choose to be sexually active or remain abstinent, there is always a desire for sex in most males and females. In our culture, young people’s natural sexual instincts are stimulated by exposure to sexual messages. Because so many young people in our society are exposed things that portray â€Å"sex appeal† their natural curiosities are brought out, they are exposed to sexual stimuli early and often. The media has a huge influence in stimulating the drive for sex in people. Many ads use sex to appeal to the public. For example, Calvin Klein uses beautiful men and women, usually dressed provocatively, portraying them in a seductive way to sell fragrances and clothing items. These ads are successful because a huge majority of the people who see these ads want to be seen as sexually desirable and attractive to the opposite sex, they are responding to a natural feeling. There are also many commercials for things such as beauty products that make the models look sexy and beautiful, this appeals to young ladies wanting to be like those models and getting the attention that the models get. By buying the product they feel that they can become â€Å"sexy† also. Music videos are also very explicit in the way they elude to sexual activity. This not only brings out natural curiosities in young viewers but also portrays sex as something casually enjoyable ignoring the consequences therein. Although the media portrays sex as something that is cool and fun and something that can be taken lightly, sex does have some real consequences which are nether cool nor fun as well as something that can make lasting scars on a person’s life. The consequences that can happen when one becomes sexually active can be both emotional as well as physical. On the emotional side of becoming sexually active, often times young people are not ready for the stress that goes along with becoming emotionally attached to their partner. Not many would argue against the feeling that when you have sex with someone you give them a piece of your â€Å"heartâ€Å", you become one with that person and in turn, often times become attached to them. Some emotional effects of being sexually active can be life changing. One thing we deal with in our society today is a large amount of teen pregnancies. When a young woman becomes pregnant, it puts a huge amount of stress on her. She is faced with many de cisions such as abortion, adoption, or making enough money to raise the baby herself. This baby will change her life, furthermore many young women’s bodies are not ready to take on the physical stress of child birth. The physical consequences that could come about with sex are numerous. There are many Sexually Transmitted Diseases that one can get when they are sexually promiscuous. Statistics show that â€Å"one in every four Americans will be infected with an sexually transmitted disease in their lifetimeâ€Å" (Bonavogilia 1). The most severe sexually transmitted disease people can get is the HIV virus, this is a tragic epidemic that gives the patient excruciating pain and eventually can take their life. Given that sex can be dangerous particularly to emotionally and physically immature teens, abstinence would seem to be the best way for teens to avoid these negative consequences. Abstinence based education is a way to inform and encourage students that there is a way th ey can be positive they will not have to suffer the consequences of sexual activity that is so prevalent today. Studies have shown that other forms of sexual education are not as successful in preventing things like teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Hani Khouzam, who wrote a commentary on the public health strategies proposed by former surgeon general of the United States, made the statement that â€Å"the National Research Council review of pregnancy prevention programs found that although classroom-based sex education may influence attitudes, there was only limited evidence that it influenced behavior. School-based sex education programs include â€Å"value-free† courses teaching students the basic physical nature of sex. These â€Å"value-free courses, however, have failed to prevent unplanned pregnancies.† (Khouzam 709) Students should be taught that it is not only acceptable to say no to sex, but that it would be a very positive decision for them to make, and the best way to prevent pregnancy as well as harmful diseases that can do much damage to their bodies.Abstinence is a choice that would save many young people from much distress, it should furthermore be encouraged by Georgia public schools so that they know that it is a choice that might be hard but can benefit them greatly. Movement of Modernism EssayBibliography: