Question

Identify the principal clause in the following sentence:
He tells a tale that sounds untrue.
A. He tells a tale
B. That sounds untrue
C. Sounds untrue
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: A principal clause or an independent clause is that part of the sentence, which can be separated from the sentence and holds a meaning of its own. It can become a simple sentence in itself too.

Complete step by step answer:
Option A – This option is an independent phrase or a principal phrase because it has a meaning of its own. It can also be used as a simple sentence; hence this is the right option.
Option B – This option is a subordinate clause or a dependent clause which means that it cannot have a meaning on its own unless there is a principal clause to support it. Hence this is not the right option.
Option C – This option does not fully qualify to be a phrase, it also does not mean anything in itself, nor can it be used as a simple sentence. Hence this is not the right option.
Option D – As we have already concluded that Option A is the right option, this option is not valid.

Thus, the correct option is (A)
Additional Information: Sentences usually have two types of clauses –
- principal clause or independent clause;
- subordinate clause or dependent clause.

Note:
Principal clauses may not be at the beginning of the sentences at all times, sometimes they may be in the middle or in the end. It will help to divide the clauses to check which are independent and which are not.