põhilausset

Põhilausset is a term of Estonian origin that translates to "main sentence" or "fundamental sentence." It is most commonly used in linguistics and grammar to refer to the principal clause within a complex sentence. A complex sentence, by definition, consists of at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The põhilausset is the independent clause, meaning it can stand alone as a complete thought and make grammatical sense on its own.

The põhilausset typically contains the main subject and verb of the sentence, carrying the core meaning. Dependent clauses, in contrast, cannot stand alone and rely on the põhilausset for their full meaning. They often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as "et" (that), "kui" (when/if), "kes" (who), "mis" (what/which), or relative pronouns. Understanding the distinction between the põhilausset and its dependent clauses is crucial for analyzing sentence structure and comprehending complex grammatical constructions in Estonian. This concept is analogous to the "main clause" or "independent clause" in other languages.