What Is A Subordinating Clause

What is a Subordinating Clause? Mastering the Art of Complex Sentences

Understanding subordinating clauses is key to mastering complex sentence structures and writing with precision and nuance. This comprehensive guide will explore what subordinating clauses are, how they function within a sentence, and how to identify and effectively use them in your writing. We'll delve into their different types, common mistakes, and provide ample examples to solidify your understanding. By the end, you'll be confident in your ability to not only recognize but also skillfully employ subordinating clauses to enhance your writing.

Understanding the Fundamentals: What is a Clause?

Before diving into subordinating clauses, let's establish a foundational understanding of what a clause is. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. Think of it as a mini-sentence. For example, "The dog barked" is a clause. It has a subject ("The dog") and a verb ("barked"). Clauses can be independent or dependent.

• Independent Clause: An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought. Example: "The sun is shining."

• Dependent Clause: A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause to complete its meaning. It's incomplete on its own. Example: "Because the sun is shining."

Defining Subordinating Clauses: The Heart of Complex Sentences

Now, let's focus on the star of our show: the subordinating clause. A subordinating clause is a dependent clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. These words signal that the clause is dependent and cannot stand alone. They introduce a subordinate idea that modifies or adds information to the main clause (the independent clause).

Key Characteristics of a Subordinating Clause:

• Dependent: It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Subordinating Connector: It begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, since, if, while, unless, after, before) or a relative pronoun (e.g., who, whom, whose, which, that).
• Complementary Role: It adds detail, explanation, or contrast to the main clause.

Examples:

• Incorrect (incomplete sentence): Because it was raining.

• Correct (complex sentence): Because it was raining, the picnic was canceled. (The subordinating clause "Because it was raining" modifies the main clause "the picnic was canceled.")

• Incorrect (incomplete sentence): While I was sleeping.

• Correct (complex sentence): The thief broke into the house while I was sleeping. (The subordinating clause "while I was sleeping" modifies the main clause "The thief broke into the house.")

Types of Subordinating Clauses: A Deeper Dive

Subordinating clauses can be categorized based on their function within a sentence. Understanding these categories will help you analyze and construct complex sentences more effectively.

1. Adverbial Clauses: These clauses function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the main clause. They answer questions like when, where, why, how, to what extent, or under what condition.

• Time: After the storm passed, the sun emerged.
• Place: We'll go wherever you want to go.
• Reason/Cause: He stayed home because he was sick.
• Condition: If it rains, we'll stay inside.
• Contrast/Concession: Although she was tired, she finished the race.
• Purpose: He studied hard so that he could pass the exam.
• Manner: She spoke as if she knew everything.

2. Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses): These clauses function as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns in the main clause. They provide additional information about the noun they modify. They often begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that).

• Identifying: The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue. (This clause identifies which book is overdue.)
• Non-identifying (descriptive): My dog, who is very playful, loves to fetch. (This clause adds extra information about the dog, but it doesn't identify which dog.)

3. Noun Clauses: These clauses function as nouns. They can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of prepositions. They are often introduced by words like that, what, who, whom, whether, and if.

• Subject: That the earth is round is a well-known fact.
• Direct Object: I believe that he is innocent.
• Predicate Nominative: The problem is that we don't have enough time.
• Object of a Preposition: He’s worried about what might happen.

Subordinating Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns: The Signposts of Subordination

The choice of subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun significantly influences the meaning and function of the subordinate clause. Here's a closer look at some common ones:

Subordinating Conjunctions:

• Time: after, before, since, until, when, whenever, while, as soon as, once
• Place: where, wherever
• Reason/Cause: because, since, as
• Condition: if, unless, provided that, in case
• Contrast/Concession: although, though, even though, while, whereas
• Purpose: so that, in order that
• Result: so...that, such...that

Relative Pronouns:

• Who: refers to people (subject)
• Whom: refers to people (object)
• Whose: refers to possession
• Which: refers to things
• That: refers to people or things (can often be omitted)

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Subordinating Clauses

Even experienced writers sometimes stumble when using subordinating clauses. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

• Comma Splices: Don't join two independent clauses with only a comma. Use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), or separate them into two sentences.

• Run-on Sentences: Avoid creating overly long and complex sentences by stringing together multiple dependent and independent clauses without proper punctuation.

• Dangling Modifiers: Ensure that the subordinate clause clearly and logically modifies the intended word or phrase in the main clause. A dangling modifier is a subordinate clause that doesn't clearly connect to the subject of the main clause.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What's the difference between a subordinating conjunction and a relative pronoun?

A: Subordinating conjunctions introduce adverbial clauses and indicate the relationship between the clause and the main clause (e.g., time, reason, condition). Relative pronouns introduce adjective clauses and connect the clause to a noun or pronoun in the main clause, often acting as the subject or object within the clause itself.

Q: Can a sentence have more than one subordinating clause?

A: Yes, a sentence can contain multiple subordinating clauses, creating increasingly complex sentence structures. However, excessive complexity can make your writing difficult to read. Strive for clarity and conciseness.

Q: How do I punctuate sentences with subordinating clauses?

A: If the subordinating clause comes before the main clause, it's typically followed by a comma. If it comes after the main clause, a comma is usually not needed unless it's a nonrestrictive (non-essential) adjective clause.

Q: How can I improve my use of subordinating clauses?

A: Practice! Read widely to observe how authors use subordinating clauses effectively. Try consciously incorporating them into your own writing, focusing on clarity and avoiding overly complex sentence structures.

Conclusion: Mastering the Nuances of Subordinating Clauses

Subordinating clauses are powerful tools that allow you to create richer, more nuanced, and more complex sentences. By understanding their function, types, and the nuances of their usage, you can significantly enhance your writing's precision and expressiveness. Remember to focus on clarity and avoid overly complex sentence structures to ensure your writing remains easily readable and engaging for your audience. Mastering subordinating clauses will elevate your writing to a new level of sophistication and precision. Through diligent practice and a mindful approach, you'll transform your sentences from simple to sublime, expressing your ideas with greater depth and impact. So, embrace the challenge, experiment with different structures, and unlock the full potential of subordinating clauses in your writing journey!