Fiche 1 — La proposition principale (Main Clause)

1. Definition

La proposition principale (main clause / independent clause) est une proposition autonome qui contient un sujet, un verbe conjugue et exprime une idee complete. Elle peut fonctionner seule comme une phrase.

Regle : Une phrase anglaise complete contient obligatoirement au moins une proposition principale.

2. Structure de base

Sujet (S) + Verbe conjugue (V) + Complement (C) eventuel.

Sujet	Verbe	Complement	Phrase complete
She	reads	a book	She reads a book.
The team	will finish	the project tomorrow	The team will finish the project tomorrow.
My manager	has signed	the contract	My manager has signed the contract.
We	are working	on a new strategy	We are working on a new strategy.

3. Principale dans une phrase complexe

Dans une phrase complexe, la principale est l'ossature. Toutes les subordonnees s'y rattachent.

I know that he is right. — I know = principale

She called me when she arrived. — She called me = principale

Although it rained, we went out. — we went out = principale

4. Exercices d'identification

Soulignez la proposition principale dans chacune des phrases suivantes :

The book that I bought is expensive.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
She asked me where I lived.
The man who called me is my brother.
Because it was raining, we stayed home.

5. Erreurs frequentes

Incorrect	Correct
When I arrived home. (incomplet)	When I arrived home, he was sleeping.
Because I was tired. (fragment)	I went to bed because I was tired.
That she is right. (fragment)	I think that she is right.