Subordinate Clauses Explained Why should we learn about

Subordinate Clauses Explained

Why should we learn about subordinate clauses? a. Learning about subordinate clauses helps us build more sophisticated sentence structures. b. Learning about clauses helps us punctuate sentences correctly. c. Learning about clauses helps us vary our sentence structures so that our writing is more pleasurable to read.

Here is an example of two sentences we can combine if we use subordinate clauses. Jim works at Stop & Shop. Jim needs money for college.

Because Jim needs money for college, he works at Stop & Shop. Jim, who works at Stop & Shop, is saving money for college. Whenever Jim works at Stop & Shop, he is saving money for college.

Independent Clause versus Subordinate Clause

Both independent and subordinate clauses contain a verb and its subject.

HOWEVER

An INDEPENDENT clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence. For example: The outfielders were missing easy fly balls.

A SUBORDINATE clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. For example: that many students are eligible for scholarships

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE An adjective clause is a clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. For example: The novel that I’m reading now is about World War II.

Adjective clauses are usually introduced by relative pronouns. whom whose which that

Here are some examples of adjective clauses: She is the person whom I trust the most.

The first one who answers correctly will win the prize. The award was given to Courtney, whom everyone recommended.

Adverb Clause An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

An adverb clause tells • How • When • Where • Why • To what extent • Under what conditions

Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. after although as as if as long as as soon as as though because before even though if in order that since so that than though unless until whenever wherever whether while

Here are some examples: Donna sounds as if she has caught a cold. Before we left, we turned off the lights. You will see our house where the road turns right. As long as he starts early, he will arrive on time. Will you move over so that I can see? Your stereo is louder than it should be.

Noun Clause A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun.

A noun clause can be used as a subject, a predicate nominative, a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition.

A noun clause used as a subject: What I need is my own room.

A noun clause used as a direct object: She believes that lost time is never found again.

A noun clause used as an indirect object: The store owner will give whoever wins the contest a valuable prize.

A noun clause used as an object of the preposition: She has written an article about how she was elected to the senate.

A List of Commonly Used Prepositions Aboard below for past about beneath from since Above beside in through Across besides inside to After between into toward Against beyond like under Along but (except) near underneath Amid of until among By off up around Concerning on upon at Down onto with before During outside within behind Except over without

A noun clause used as a predicate nominative: The happiest time of my life was when we went to Colombia for the summer.

The following words usually introduce noun clauses. that when where whoever whomever whose why how

What are the noun clauses in the following sentences and how are they used?

I don’t know who wrote this. He is what we would call a high achiever. That he was bigoted was obvious to everyone except the bigot himself.

I am disappointed about what you had to say. Albert is what we would call an exceptional student. What I do with my time is none of your business.