What is operative clause?

An operative clause is a grammatical component within a sentence that expresses the main action or objective of the sentence. It is also known as a main clause or a principal clause. Typically, it contains a subject and verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence. In legal language, operative clauses are commonly found in contracts, legislation, and international agreements as they define the specific actions that parties must take or obligations that they must fulfill. In international relations, an operative clause refers to the portion of a resolution that outlines the proposed course of action. In debates and speeches, the operative clause is the statement of intent that specifies what the speaker wants to achieve.