main clause

noun, Grammar
1.
a clause that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a predicate with a finite verb, as I was there in the sentence I was there when he arrived.
Also called independent clause.
British Dictionary definitions for independent clause

independent clause

noun
1.
(grammar) a main or coordinate clause Compare dependent clause

main clause

noun
1.
(grammar) a clause that can stand alone as a sentence Compare subordinate clause
independent clause in Culture

independent clause definition


A clause that can stand alone as a sentence. The following sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by but: “The farmers complained of the low price of food, but the office workers did not complain.” (Compare dependent clause.)