main clause

main clause (hovedsetning, helsetning): a finite clause which can function on its own as a complete sentence. E.g. Tom was reading a book. Main clauses may contain subordinate clauses (and thus form complex sentences ), e.g. Tom was reading a book when I called. Main clauses can also be co-ordinated, and thus form compound sentences, e.g. Tom was reading a book, but I preferred the TV-guide.