Hence the term clause may refer to the main division of the complex sentence, or it may be applied to the others,—the dependent or subordinate clauses.
Independent clause.
371. A principal, main, or independent clause is one making a statement without the help of any other clause.
Dependent clause.
A subordinate or dependent clause is one which makes a statement depending upon or modifying some word in the principal clause.
Kinds.
372. As to their office in the sentence, clauses are divided into NOUN, ADJECTIVE, and ADVERB clauses, according as they are equivalent in use to nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
373. Noun clauses have the following uses:—
(1) Subject: "That such men should give prejudiced views of America is not a matter of surprise."