Understanding Subordinate Clauses
A subordinate clause, or dependent clause, is a group of words containing a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be attached to an independent clause.
Key Concepts
- Subject and Verb: Like independent clauses, subordinate clauses have a subject and a verb.
- Dependency: They begin with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., ‘because,’ ‘although,’ ‘if’) or a relative pronoun (e.g., ‘who,’ ‘which,’ ‘that’).
- Meaning: They add extra information but are not the main idea of the sentence.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses function as different parts of speech:
- Adverbial Clauses: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, answering questions like ‘when,’ ‘where,’ ‘why,’ or ‘how.’ Example: ‘We will go after the rain stops.’
- Adjectival Clauses (Relative Clauses): Modify nouns or pronouns, usually introduced by relative pronouns. Example: ‘The book that I read was fascinating.’
- Noun Clauses: Function as nouns, acting as subjects, objects, or complements. Example: ‘What you said surprised me.’
Deep Dive: Structure and Placement
Subordinate clauses can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. When they start a sentence, they are typically followed by a comma.
If you study hard,
you will succeed.
The student who won the award
is my friend.
I know that you are tired.Applications in Writing
Subordinate clauses are essential for:
- Adding detail and complexity to sentences.
- Creating sentence variety and flow.
- Establishing relationships between ideas (cause/effect, time, condition).
Challenges and Misconceptions
A common mistake is to punctuate a subordinate clause as a separate sentence, creating a sentence fragment. Remember, it needs an independent clause to be complete.
FAQs
What is the difference between a subordinate and an independent clause?
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a subordinate clause cannot.
How do I identify a subordinate clause?
Look for subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns that introduce the clause.