Every sentence is a clause. Some sentences have more than one clause, depending on the type of sentence. Clauses, as you already know, are of two main types, namely, main clauses and subordinate clauses. In this article, you will be introduced to what subordinate clauses are and how they can be used in sentences. You can also go through the meaning, definition and types of subordinate clauses. Furthermore, check out the examples given to understand clearly.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Subordinate Clause? – Meaning and Definition
- Types of Subordinate Clauses
- Examples of Subordinate Clauses
- Test Your Understanding of Subordinate Clauses
- Frequently Asked Questions on Subordinate Clauses in English
What Is a Subordinate Clause? – Meaning and Definition
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a combination of words that includes a noun, a verb, a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun, other parts of speech and determiners. It is only a part of the sentence, mostly employed to provide more information about the rest of the sentence. Let us look at how different dictionaries define a subordinate clause.
A subordinate clause, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a group of words that is not a sentence but adds information to the main part of a sentence.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines a subordinate clause as “a clause that cannot form a sentence on its own but can be joined to a main clause to form a sentence.” A subordinate clause is defined as “a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself and that is connected to the main clause of a sentence”, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “A subordinate clause is a clause in a sentence which adds to or completes the information given in the main clause. It cannot usually stand alone as a sentence”, according to the Collins Dictionary.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses or dependent clauses can be classified into various types based on the role they play in a sentence. The types of subordinate clauses are:
- Noun clauses
- Adjective clauses
- Adverb clauses
- Conditional clauses
- Relative clauses
- Comparative clauses
- Verbless clauses
- Complementary clauses
Examples of Subordinate Clauses
Here are a few examples of subordinate clauses that you can refer to.
- After watching the Quiet Place, I was petrified.
- Can you calculate these answer papers if you are free?
- In case you are ready, we can leave.
- Are you coming to the concert that I had told you about last week?
- Unless Quinn is fine with scoring low grades, she should not absent herself from classes too much.
- She continued to tap on the table though her parents asked her not to.
- I met the teacher who taught me French in college.
- As soon as I found out about your accident, I rushed to the hospital.
- Mathi did not go to work today as she was not keeping well.
- No one was paying attention to the chief guest because he had been speaking for a really long time.
Test Your Understanding of Subordinate Clauses
Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentences.
1. With reference to the instructions provided, I think it is compulsory to submit a consent letter from our parents.
2. We did not see the man, who sells balloons in front of our school, today.
3. Although my stomach was so full, I managed to finish my food.
4. After I reach home, I will give you a call.
5. Even though the little dog was blind, it found its way to Arjun.
6. When we have a break, we will discuss the movie.
7. If you don’t want it, make sure you let them know.
8. Since Simba was blind, he moved from one place to another with the help of sounds.
9. I am taller than my brother.
10. When I was six years old, I participated in the singing contest for the first time.
Given below are the answers to the above exercise. Find out if you have identified the subordinate clauses correctly.
1. With reference to the instructions provided, I think it is compulsory to submit a consent letter from our parents.
2. We did not see the man, who sells balloons in front of our school, today.
3. Although my stomach was so full, I managed to finish my food.
4. After I reach home, I will give you a call.
5. Even though the little dog was blind, it found its way to Arjun.
6. When we have a break, we will discuss the movie.
7. If you don’t want it, make sure you let them know.
8. Since Simba was blind, he moved from one place to another with the help of sounds.
9. I am taller than my brother.
10. When I was six years old, I participated in the singing contest for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions on Subordinate Clauses in English
What is a subordinate clause?
A subordinate clause is a combination of words that includes a noun, a verb, a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun, other parts of speech and determiners. It is only a part of the sentence, mostly employed to provide more information about the rest of the sentence. It is also known as a dependent clause as it cannot stand on its own and does not convey complete meaning, if separated from the rest of the sentence.
What is the definition of a subordinate clause?
A subordinate clause, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a group of words that is not a sentence but adds information to the main part of a sentence.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines a subordinate clause as “a clause that cannot form a sentence on its own but can be joined to a main clause to form a sentence.” A subordinate clause is defined as “a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself and that is connected to the main clause of a sentence”, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “A subordinate clause is a clause in a sentence which adds to or completes the information given in the main clause. It cannot usually stand alone as a sentence”, according to the Collins Dictionary.
What are the types of subordinate clauses?
The types of subordinate clauses are:
- Noun clauses
- Adjective clauses
- Adverb clauses
- Conditional clauses
- Relative clauses
- Comparative clauses
- Verbless clauses
- Complementary clauses
Give some examples of subordinate clauses.
Given below are a few examples of subordinate clauses for your reference.
- Are you coming to the concert that I had told you about last week?
- Unless Quinn is fine with scoring low grades, she should not absent herself from classes too much.
- As soon as I found out about your accident, I rushed to the hospital.
- Mathi did not go to work today as she was not keeping well.
- No one was paying attention to the chief guest because he had been speaking for a really long time.
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