Have you ever come across a sentence that has a clause within it that doesn’t make complete sense on its own? That is a subordinate clause. A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a type of clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.
It is dependent on the main clause of the sentence for its meaning and purpose. Subordinate clauses are usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction such as ‘if’, ‘because’, ‘when’, ‘since’, ‘although’, ‘while’ and ‘unless’.
They provide additional information about the main clause and help to make the sentence more interesting.
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Types of subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses, also called a dependent clause, are an important part of a sentence or phrase that add additional context. They provide important information that can be used to clarify the main clause or sentence and make it more detailed and informative. A subordinate clause is not a full sentence in itself but has a subject and verb and usually begin with a subordinating conjunctions such as “because,” “after,” “although” or any of a list of similar words.
Let’s look at some examples of how a subordinate clause can be used in a sentence. For instance, consider the sentence “After I finish the dishes, I will go see a movie.
” In this sentence, the subordinate clause is “After I finish the dishes” and it is used to provide more context and detail to the main sentence “I will go see a movie. ” The subordinate clause gives us more information about when the action in the main clause will occur – after the speaker is finished with the dishes. Subordinate clauses can be broken down into three basic types including noun, relative, and adverbial.
A noun clause is a type of subordinate clause that functions as a noun in the sentence. It will generally begin with the subordinating conjunctions “that” or “whether” and answer questions such as “what,” “where,” “why” or “how.
” Consider the sentence “I wonder if I will be invited to the party. ” In this sentence, the subordinate clause is “if I will be invited to the party” and it functions as the object of the verb “wonder. ” Another type of subordinate clause is the relative clause.
These clauses provide additional information and are introduced with a relative pronoun. For example, consider the sentence “The house that is painted blue is mine.
” The subordinate clause in this sentence is “that is painted blue” which provides more detail regarding the subject of the main sentence, the house. Finally, there are adverbial clauses. Adverbial clauses modify the verb in a sentence and generally answer questions such as “when,” “where,” “why” or “how. ” They will generally begin with a subordinating conjunction and provide more information about the action in the main clause. Consider the sentence “I went to the store because I needed some sugar. ” In this sentence, the subordinate clause is “because I needed some sugar” and it is used to describe why the speaker went to the store. Subordinate clauses are an essential part of many sentences and phrases and can be used to provide additional context and detail. Whether it’s a noun, relative, or adverbial clause, these clauses are incredibly important for making a sentence more detailed and informative.
Examples of subordinate clauses
Have you ever heard of a subordinate clause? If so, great!
If not, don’t worry, we’ll explain it to you in this blog. A subordinate clause is an important part of a sentence that cannot stand by itself. It always depends on an independent clause to make it complete.
Subordinate clauses add more information to the sentence, but cannot stand by itself. They contain a subject and a verb but don’t convey a clear idea by themselves. In most English sentences, a subordinate clause is attached to an independent clause.
Common subordinating conjunctions used to combine the two clauses can be ‘if’, ‘though’, ‘that’, ‘because’, ‘after’, ‘while’ and ‘before. ‘ Let’s look at some examples.
For instance: If you practice every day, you will become a better musician
Though it may be hard, you can finish your work Because the sun is shining, I will go for a walk After she finishes her test, she will return home Now that you know what a subordinate clause is, you should also be aware that it can appear in different places in a sentence.
For example, a subordinating conjunction can be placed at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle. To illustrate, here are our examples with their respective subordinate clauses in different places: You will become a better musician if you practice every day You can finish your work though it may be hard I will go for a walk because the sun is shining She will return home after she finishes her test So, don’t let subordinate clauses intimidate you; using them is not difficult. Now that you know what a subordinate clause is and have seen some examples, you can easily include them in your writing and sound like a professional.
How to identify subordinate clauses
As a aficionado, you often find yourself in situations where you are presented with seemingly confusing grammar rules. One of the most common cases of this is when trying to identify subordinate clauses. Therefore, it is important to understand how to spot them and why they are used.
A subordinate clause is a part of a sentence that holds information, but cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. Generally, these clauses are joined to independent clauses to form one complete sentence.
They also often contain a subordinating conjunction such as “because”, “when”, “while” and “despite”. To give you a better understanding of what a subordinate clause looks like, here are a few examples: – “Before I left for work today. ” – “Since he broke the vase.
” – “Although she was tired. ”The above examples all start with subtordinating conjunctions, but even if they don’t, it doesn’t make them any less of a clause.
For example, “Who were at the meeting” is still a subordinate clause. It doesn’t start with a subordinating conjunction, but it still holds onto the same terms and conditions. Identifying a subordinate clause is not always straight forward, and there are many different tests that can be applied to clarify grammar points.
However, understanding how these clauses are used and what they are is the first step in being able to identify them correctly. Therefore, the next time you see a seemingly confusing sentence, try to see if it contains a subordinate clause and you’ll be one step closer to understanding grammar.
Benefits of using subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses offer many benefits for written communication. They allow a writer to convey more complex or nuanced ideas, strengthening the impact of their message. They also help to break up long and complex sentences, making them easier to read and understand.
Understanding what a subordinate clause is and how to use it can help writers create more effective, powerful and accurate written work. A subordinate clause is a clause that adds further detail to the sentence but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Subordinate clauses contain both a subject and a verb, and they always help to explain the main clause of the sentence. An example of a subordinate clause is: “Although I was exhausted, I went for a run.
” In this example, the subordinate clause is “although I was exhausted” and the main clause is “I went for a run”. Subordinate clauses can add further detail to an idea, such as explaining why something happened, making them an important part of written communication. They can help to make a sentence more precise, specific and accurate.
They can also be used to create cohesion in writing, by connecting ideas that may have seemed unrelated. For example, “I wanted to go for a run, so I put on my running shoes and headed out.
” The subordinate clause, “so I put on my running shoes and headed out,” provides a natural transition from one sentence to the next. Using subordinate clauses effectively can help writers to express complex and detailed ideas concisely. This, in turn, aids readers in understanding and absorbing the written message.
Writers should take the time to understand what subordinate clauses are and how to incorporate them into their writing in order to get the most benefit from their use.
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Conclusion
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It must be attached to an independent clause in order to make a complete sentence. Subordinate clauses provide additional information to the main clause, and are usually introduced with a subordinating conjunction.
FAQ
What is the purpose of a subordinate clause?
A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, as it does not express a complete thought. Its purpose is to provide additional information to a main clause, and it typically begins with a subordinating conjunction such as “although,” “because,” or “when.”
How is a subordinate clause different from an independent clause?
A subordinate clause is different from an independent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause to give it context and meaning.
What are the different types of subordinate clauses?
The different types of subordinate clauses are adjective clauses, adverb clauses, noun clauses, and relative clauses.
How do subordinate clauses affect the meaning of a sentence?
Subordinate clauses affect the meaning of a sentence by providing additional information that helps to clarify or expand upon the main idea of the sentence. They can also be used to create complex sentences that are more interesting and engaging for the reader.
What are the rules for punctuating subordinate clauses?
The rules for punctuating subordinate clauses are as follows: if the subordinate clause is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma; if the subordinate clause is at the end of the sentence, it should be preceded by a comma; and if the subordinate clause is in the middle of the sentence, it should be surrounded by commas.
How can subordinate clauses be used to add complexity to a sentence?
Subordinate clauses can be used to add complexity to a sentence by providing additional information that is not essential to the main clause, but adds depth and detail to the sentence. They can also be used to create a more complex sentence structure, as subordinate clauses can be nested within other clauses.
