Just when you thought you could not get your head around the subordinate clause, Edulyte presents a great resource to scale up your knowledge about what is a subordinate clause and the English language overall.
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Unlike its subordinate counterpart, the main or independent clause acts as the primary idea, while subordinate clauses provide additional information, context, or detail to the main idea. You keep coming across them in the sentences you read and hear.
Many of our sentences are complex sentences. They combine an independent clause with one or more subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses are essential building blocks within these complex sentences, providing the necessary nuance and depth to communicate complex thoughts effectively.
By incorporating subordinate clauses, we can create sentences that flow logically and convey a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Mastery of subordinate clause words is a crucial skill for effective writing. When used adeptly, they enable writers to craft eloquent sentences that engage readers on a deeper level. Furthermore, understanding subordinate clauses ensures writers maintain clarity and coherence.
A subordinate clause is a fundamental concept in English grammar that adds depth and complexity to your sentence structures. A subordinate or dependent clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that cannot express a complete thought.
Subordinate clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as “although,” “because,” “when,” “since,” “while,” “if,” and others.
For example :
Although she studied hard for the exam.
This clause provides additional information but does not express a complete idea. It requires an independent clause to form a coherent sentence, such as: “Although she studied hard for the exam, she did not perform well.”
Characteristic features of subordinate clauses include :
To effectively recognise and understand subordinate clauses in sentences, consider the following guidelines:
Subordinate clause examples :
You come across subordinate clause types in various forms, each serving a unique function within a sentence.
Noun Clauses : Noun clauses function as nouns within a sentence and can act as subjects, objects, or complements. They often begin with words like “what,” “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” etc.
Subject : “What she said, surprised everyone.” (Noun clause “What she said” acts as the sentence’s subject.)
Object : “I don’t know where they went.” (Noun clause “where they went” functions as the direct object.)
Complement : “Her dream is to become a doctor.” (Noun clause “to become a doctor” serves as the complement.)
Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses): Adjective clauses provide more information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause, thereby acting as adjectives. They start with relative pronouns like “who,” “whom,” “whose,” etc.
Descriptive : “The book that I borrowed from the library was fascinating.” (Adjective clause “that I borrowed from the library” describes the noun “book.”)
Restrictive : “The girl who won the competition is my sister.” (Adjective clause “who won the competition” identifies a specific girl and restricts the meaning.)
Adverbial Clauses : Adverbial clauses function as adverbs within a sentence, providing additional information about the main clause. Adverbial clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions like “after,” “although,” “because,” etc.
Time : “She will call you when she gets home.” (Adverbial clause “when she gets home” indicates the time of the action.)
Place : “He will meet us where we first met.” (Adverbial clause “where we first met” describes the place of the meeting.)
Reason : “Because it was raining, they stayed indoors.” (Adverbial clause “Because it was raining” provides the reason for staying indoors.)
Check out the few subordinate clause examples to become a pro in creating impressive sentences.