Main Clause

Salish thought streams are comprised of a main clause and its subordinate clauses. Salish thought streams are analogous to a sentence. The main clause is the heart of the sentence. The main clause is also called the predicate, predicate clause, head clause, verb phrase, or verb clause.

Subordinate clauses include the object clause, subject clause, indirect object clause, and other modifying clauses that add to and refine clauses.

Salish event structure is Verb, Object, Subject (VOS). This word order holds for intransitive and transitive verbs.

A single word can constitute a main clause. The following are examples of a main clause.

• tixʷ, s/he/it acquired.
• estixʷi, s/he/it is acquiring.
• tixʷm, s/he/it acquired (something).
• estixʷms, s/he/it is acquiring it.
• tixʷis, s/he/it acquired it.
• tixʷšis, s/he/it acquired it for him/her/it.