Clauses that are unable to function as complete sentences on their own are referred to as dependent or subordinate clauses. They are dependent on the main clause (independent clause) to express a complete thought. Subordinate clauses play a crucial role in sentence structure, adding depth and complexity to our writing.

Understanding Subordinate Clauses

A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb, but it cannot express a complete thought on its own. It is typically introduced by a subordinating conjunction, such as “because,” “although,” “when,” “if,” or “while.”

Example:

Main clause: I went to the store.

Subordinate clause: Because I was hungry.

Combined sentence: I went to the store because I was hungry.

In this example, the subordinate clause “because I was hungry” cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause “I went to the store” to convey a complete thought.

Types of Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses come in three primary categories:

Adverbial Clauses: These clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide information about time, place, manner, reason, condition, or purpose.

Example: He studied hard because he wanted to pass the exam. (Reason)

Noun Clauses: These clauses function as nouns and can be used as subjects, direct objects, or objects of prepositions.

Example: I know who stole the car. (Direct object)

Adjective Clauses: These clauses modify nouns or pronouns.They give more details regarding the word or pronoun.

Example: The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. (Adjective clause modifying “book”)

Functions of Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses serve various functions in sentence structure:

Providing Additional Information: Subordinate clauses can add details, explanations, or reasons to the main clause.

Connecting Ideas: They can connect ideas and create more complex sentence structures.

Expressing Relationships: Subordinate clauses can express relationships between ideas, such as cause and effect, time, and condition.

Varying Sentence Structure: Using subordinate clauses can help you vary your sentence structure and avoid monotony.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions used to introduce subordinate clauses:

Time: after, before, as, when, while, since

Place: where, wherever

Reason: because, since, as

Condition: if, unless, whether

Purpose: so that, in order that

Concession: although, though, even though

Comparison: as, as if, as though

Using Subordinate Clauses Effectively

To use subordinate clauses effectively, consider the following tips:

Vary Your Sentence Structure: Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to make your writing more interesting.

Avoid Overuse: Don’t overuse subordinate clauses, as it can make your writing difficult to follow.

Ensure Clarity: Make sure your subordinate clauses are clear and concise. Avoid overly complex sentences.

Punctuate Correctly: Use commas to separate subordinate clauses from the main clause.

Practice Regularly: The more you practice using subordinate clauses, the better you will become at incorporating them into your writing.

Common Mistakes with Subordinate Clauses

Some common mistakes made when using subordinate clauses include:

Run-on Sentences: Combining two independent clauses with a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Comma splices: When a comma is used to connect two independent clauses.

Fragmentary Sentences: Using a subordinate clause as a complete sentence.

Misplaced Modifiers: Placing a subordinate clause in the wrong position, leading to confusion.

Conclusion

Subordinate clauses are essential elements of sentence structure that add depth, complexity, and variety to your writing. By understanding the different types of subordinate clauses, their functions, and common mistakes, you can use them effectively to enhance your communication skills.

FAQs

What is a subordinate clause?

A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on another clause (the main clause) to express a complete thought.

What are the different types of subordinate clauses?

There are three main types of subordinate clauses:

Noun clauses: These clauses function as nouns in a sentence. They can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, or predicate nominatives.

Example: *I know what she wants. (The clause “what she wants” is a noun clause acting as a direct object.)

Adjective clauses: These clauses modify nouns or pronouns. They often begin with relative pronouns like who, which, that, whose, or whom.

Example: The book that I read was very interesting. (The clause “that I read” is an adjective clause modifying the noun “book.”)

Adverbial clauses: These clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often begin with subordinating conjunctions like because, when, if, although, since, before, after, and while.

Example: *I will go to the store after I finish my homework. (The clause “after I finish my homework” is an adverbial clause modifying the verb “will go.”)

How can I identify a subordinate clause?

A subordinate clause will always contain a subject and a verb. However, it will also begin with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. If a clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, it is likely a subordinate clause.

What is the difference between a subordinate clause and a main clause?

A main clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. A subordinate clause, on the other hand, cannot stand alone and must be combined with a main clause to form a complete sentence.

How can I use subordinate clauses effectively in my writing?

Using subordinate clauses can help you to add variety and complexity to your writing. They can also help you to express your ideas more clearly and precisely. To use subordinate clauses effectively, be sure to vary the types of clauses you use and to ensure that they are grammatically correct.

What are some common mistakes made when using subordinate clauses?

Some common mistakes made when using subordinate clauses include:

Using a comma splice: This occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Using a fragment: A fragment is an incomplete sentence that is missing a subject or verb.

Misplacing modifiers: Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify.

Can a subordinate clause be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, a subordinate clause can be used at the beginning of a sentence. However, if you do this, you must follow it with a comma.

Can a subordinate clause be used in the middle of a sentence?

Yes, a subordinate clause can be used in the middle of a sentence. In this case, you should typically place commas before and after the subordinate clause.

Can a subordinate clause be used at the end of a sentence?

Yes, a subordinate clause can be used at the end of a sentence. However, you must follow it with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

What is the purpose of using subordinate clauses in writing?

Subordinate clauses can be used to add detail, complexity, and variety to your writing. They can also help you to express your ideas more clearly and precisely. By using subordinate clauses effectively, you can create more interesting and engaging writing.

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