SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a

complete sentence because it does not express a complete
thought. For example:
 The dog stopped running when Jack blew the whistle.
("When Jack blew the whistle" is an example of a subordinate
clause. It cannot stand alone as a sentence. "The dog
stopped running" is the main clause in this sentence. It is an
example of an independent clause because it could stand
alone as a sentence.)
A subordinate clause supports the main clause of a sentence by
adding to its meaning. Like all clauses, a subordinate clause has a
subject and verb. In "when Jack blew the whistle," the subject is
"Jack" and the verb is "blew."

EXAMPLES OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

Here are some examples of subordinate clauses. You will notice that none of
the shaded clauses could stand alone as a sentence. This is how a
subordinate clause (or a dependent clause) is different from an independent
clause.

1. Because I was tired, I went to bed early.

2. If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
3. When I finish my homework, I will watch TV
4. Although I’m busy, I will attend the meeting.
5. Since I forgot my phone, I couldn’t call you.

TYPES OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

A subordinate clause supports the main clause in a sentence by
functioning as an adverb, an adjective, or a noun.

 SUBORDINATE ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

A subordinate adverbial clause is a type of
dependent clause that functions as an adverb
within a sentence. It provides additional
information about the main clause, often
explaining when, where, why, how, to what
extent, or under what conditions something
happens. These clauses are introduced by
subordinating conjunctions such as "because,"
"although," "if," "when," "while," "since,"
"after," "before," and "unless."
Structure of Subordinate Adverbial Clauses
1.Subordinating Conjunction: This word links
the adverbial clause to the main clause and
indicates the type of relationship (time,
cause, condition, contrast, etc.).
2.Subject and Verb: Like all clauses, a
subordinate adverbial clause contains a
subject and a verb.
3.Complete Thought: Despite having a
subject and a verb, the clause does not
express a complete thought and cannot
stand alone.

Examples and Types

1.Time: Indicates when the action of the
main clause happens.
Example: "I will call you when I get home."
Subordinating Conjunctions: when, after,
before, while, as soon as
 2.Cause or Reason: Explains why the action
of the main clause happens.
Example: "She was happy because she passed
the exam.
"Subordinating Conjunctions: because, since,
as
3.Condition: States the condition under
which the action of the main clause will
occur.
Example: "If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
"Subordinating Conjunctions: if, unless,
provided that
4.Purpose: Describes the purpose of the
action in the main clause. Example: "She
practiced hard so that she could win the
competition.
“Subordinating Conjunctions: so that, in order
that
5.Contrast or Concession: Shows contrast or
exception to the main clause.
Example: "Although it was raining, they went
for a walk.
“Subordinating Conjunctions: although, though,
even though
6.Place: Indicates where the action of the
main clause happens. Example: "You can
sit wherever you like. “Subordinating
Conjunctions: where, wherever
Punctuation
 Beginning of Sentence: When the subordinate
adverbial clause comes at the beginning of a
sentence, it is usually followed by a comma.
Example: "Because it was late, we decided to
go home.
“End of Sentence: When the clause comes at
the end, a comma is typically not needed.
Example: "We decided to go home because it
was late.”
Functions
Subordinate adverbial clauses add depth and
detail to sentences by modifying the verb,
adjective, or another adverb in the main
clause. They help to:
Specify the time, place, or manner of an
action.
Provide reasons or conditions for actions.
Contrast with the main clause to highlight
differences or exceptions.

 SUBORDINATE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

A subordinate adjective clause, also known as a
relative clause, is a type of dependent clause that
modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It
provides additional information about the noun or
pronoun, making the meaning more specific and
detailed. Components of a Subordinate Adjective
Clause
 Relative Pronoun or Relative Adverb: The
clause usually begins with a relative pronoun
(who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative
adverb (where, when, why).
 Subject and Predicate: Like all clauses, an
adjective clause has a subject and a predicate.
Function
The main function of an adjective clause is to
provide more information about a noun or
pronoun in the main clause. It acts as an
adjective, describing or qualifying the noun or
pronoun.

Functions in a Sentence
Modifying a Subject:
Example: “The book that is on the table is
mine.”
Explanation: “that is on the table” modifies
“The book,” specifying which book is being
referred to. Modifying an Object: Example: “I
saw the movie that you recommended.”
Explanation: “that you recommended”
modifies “the movie,” specifying which movie
was seen.
Modifying an Object of a Preposition: Example:
“She is the person to whom I spoke.”
Explanation: “to whom I spoke” modifies “the
person,” specifying which person was spoken
to.
Types of Adjective Clauses
 Restrictive (Defining) Clause: This type of
clause is essential to the meaning of the
sentence. It defines or restricts the noun it
modifies. Example: “The book that I
borrowed was fascinating.” (The clause
“that I borrowed” is necessary to specify
which book.)
 Non-restrictive (Non-defining) Clause: This
type of clause adds extra information
about the noun but is not essential to the
meaning of the sentence. It is usually set
off by commas. Example: “The book, which
I borrowed from the library, was
fascinating.” (The clause “which I
borrowed from the library” adds extra
information but isn’t necessary to identify
the book.) Examples
 Using Relative Pronouns:
The teacher who taught me was very kind.
The house that Jack built is still standing.
She is the artist whose paintings are
famous.
 Using Relative Adverbs:
This is the place where we met.
I remember the day when we first met.
Do you know the reason why she left?

 SUBORDINATE NOUN CLAUSE

A subordinate noun clause is a type of dependent
clause that functions as a noun within a sentence.
Because it acts as a noun, it can perform various
roles that nouns typically do in sentences, such as
subject, object, or complement. Here’s a detailed
breakdown.
STRUCTURE
A subordinate noun clause often begins with a
subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Common
ones include:
 That
 Whether
 If
 Who, whom, whose, which, what (and their
compounds like whoever, whomever, whichever,
whatever).
FUNCTIONS IN A SENTENCE
 Subject :
Example: “What she said was surprising.
“Explanation: “What she said” is the subject of the
verb “was.”
 Object of a Verb:
Example: “I know that he is coming. “Explanation:
“That he is coming” is the object of the verb
“know.”
 Object of a Preposition:
Example: “We talked about what she did.”
Explanation: “What she did” is the object of the
preposition “about.”
 Subject Complement:
Example: “The question is whether we can trust
him.”
Explanation: “Whether we can trust him” is the
subject complement, explaining more about “The
question.”
 Appositive:
Example: “The idea that we should leave early is
sensible.”
Explanation: “That we should leave early” is an
appositive, providing additional information about
“The idea.”

Identifying Subordinate Noun Clauses

To identify a subordinate noun clause, look for
clauses that:
Begin with the above subordinating conjunctions
or relative pronouns.
Function as a noun within the main clause.
Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Examples
Subject Example: “That she won the prize was
unexpected.”
Here, “That she won the prize” acts as the subject
of the verb “was.”
Direct Object Example: “He believed that the earth
was flat.”
“That the earth was flat” is the object of the verb
“believed.”
Indirect Object Example: “She gave whoever
needed help a hand.”
“Whoever needed help” is the indirect object of
the verb “gave.”
Prepositional Object Example: “They were
concerned about how the event would unfold.”
“How the event would unfold” is the object of the
preposition “about.” Subject Complement
Example: “The fact is that she arrived late.”
“That she arrived late” is the complement of the
subject “The fact.”