Definition:

A main clause expresses a complete idea and could normally stand alone (as an independent clause) if it weren't for the subordinate clause dependent on it. The main clause is in italics in the following examples.

Examples:

J'ai dit que j'aime les pommes.
I said that I like apples.

L'homme dont je parle habite ici.
The man that I'm talking about lives here.

Related lesson:Subordinate clauses

Related term:clause