Can't float block next to main content block

I'm having difficulty understanding how to handle the main content block. I have activated the site-wide contact form which shows in, I assume, the main content block. I would like to float a block of text to the right of the form. However the text block always drops below the contact form. I don't want to try forcing the text block next to the form by using some large negative top margin if there is another way to accomplish this. Actually, I can't get any two blocks to float next to each other. Any suggestions regarding what I am missing here would be greatly appreciated.