Question

Identify the principal/main clause in the given sentence-
Wilber acted as though he was a born star.
a) Wilber acted as though
b) As though he were a born actor
c) He was a born actor
d) Wilber acted

Answer 1

Hint:A clause is a part of a larger sentence containing a subject and a predicate of its own.

Complete answer:
A principal/main clause is an independent clause that can exist without a subordinate clause. A subordinate clause is called an independent clause because it cannot exist without the help of the principal clause. In the given question, we have to identify the main clause in the given sentence – Wilber acted as though he was a born star.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct answer :
Option ‘a’ is – Wilber acted as though. This is an incorrect option because it is not an independent clause. It cannot be written independently without a sentence.
Option ‘b’ is – As though he were a born actor. This is an incorrect option because this is also not an independent clause. It cannot be written independently without a sentence.
Option ‘c’ is – He was a born actor. This is an incorrect option because it is also not an independent clause. It cannot be written independently without a sentence.
Option ‘d’ is – Wilber acted. This phrase can exist independently and is a principal clause.
As we have analyzed all the given options, we can easily figure out the correct option. Here, the principal/main clause of the given sentence is – Wilber acted. Hence, option ‘d’ is the correct answer.

Note:
All other options are plausible distractions, you must see if the other options can work independently without a sentence, if yes, then they are the principal/main clause of any given sentence.