Have you ever read a sentence and wondered how all the parts fit together to make sense? A big part of writing clear, detailed sentences comes from understanding clauses—specifically, subordinate clauses. These little groups of words can act just like different parts of speech and can turn a simple sentence into something more interesting.

In this blog, we’ll explore what subordinate clauses are, how they work, and how they can strengthen your writing. Let’s get started!

What is a Subordinate Clause?

A clause is a group of words in a sentence that has both a subject and a verb but can’t stand on its own as a complete sentence like a helper to the main part of the sentence. Subordinate clauses, also called a dependent clause, need a main clause to make sense.

When a clause works as a part of speech—like a noun, adjective, or adverb—it’s called a subordinate clause because it depends on the main part of the sentence to make sense.

♦ Example: When the rain stopped, we went outside.

When the rain stopped is a subordinate clause. It has a subject (the rain) and a verb (stopped), but it makes little sense by itself. You need the rest of the sentence (we went outside) to make it a complete idea.

How do Subordinate Clauses Work?

Subordinate clauses use special words, like pronouns, adverbs, or conjunctions. Let’s break it down:

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions include: who, which, what.

Interrogative Adverbs

We also use Interrogative adverbs in questions include: where, when, how, and why.

Subordinate Conjunctions

Now, the words that often introduce subordinate clauses are called subordinate conjunctions. These are really important for connecting ideas. Some of the most common ones are:

♥ Because, since (both showing reasons)
♥ Though, although (showing contrast)
♥ If, unless (used for conditions)
♥ That (as in in order that or so that)
♥ Lest (showing something to be avoided)
♥ As, as if, as though (showing comparisons or conditions)
♥ Than (for comparisons)
♥ Whether (often used with or to show choices)

Related Reading: Exploring Adverbs: Types, Examples, and Uses 

Working With Parts of Speech

Depending on how they’re used in a sentence, subordinate clauses can act as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. These different types help give extra details, explain why or how something happens, or even name ideas.

Subordinate Clauses as Adjectives

Subordinate clauses can also act as adjectives, meaning they modify (or describe) nouns or pronouns. These are called adjective clauses. They give more information about the noun in the main clause.

♦ Example: The book that you lent me was fascinating.

In this sentence, the adjective clause that you lent me is telling us more about the book.

You can introduce adjective clauses with relative pronouns or relative adverbs of place or time.

Subordinate Clauses as Adverbs

Another role subordinate clauses can play is acting as adverbs. An adverb clause gives us more information about the verb, like when, where, why, or how something happened.

♦ Example: Because it was raining, we stayed indoors. (Because it was raining tells us why we stayed indoors.)
♦ Example: After we finished dinner, we watched a movie. (After we finished dinner tells us when we watched the movie.)

Subordinate Clauses as Nouns

One cool thing about subordinate clauses is that they can act as nouns in a sentence. This means they can do the same jobs as a noun, like being the subject or the object of a sentence.

♦ Example: What you said surprised me. (What you said is the subject of the sentence.)
♦ Example: I didn’t know that she was coming. (That she was coming is the object of the verb didn’t know.)

Sentences can have multiple subordinate clauses, each acting as different parts of speech.

Combining Sentences Using Subordinate Clauses

One of the best things about subordinate clauses is that they help you combine simple sentences to make your writing more complex and interesting.

♦ Example: I was late. I missed the bus.

You can combine these by turning one into a subordinate clause.

♦ Example: I was late because I missed the bus.

See how much smoother that sounds?

Related Reading: Unlocking the Power of Nouns in Writing

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence but doesn’t express a complete thought. It’s missing either a subject, a verb, or a complete idea, which makes it feel incomplete.

Fragments can happen when part of a sentence is left off, usually leaving the reader confused about what’s being said.

♦ Example: Because I was tired.

This is a fragment because it doesn’t explain what happened because you were tired. To fix it, you could write: I went to bed early because I was tired.

♦ Example: After the movie.

This feels incomplete because we don’t know what happened after the movie. A complete sentence would be: After the movie, we went out for ice cream.

Fragments often occur when people write in a rush or don’t fully connect their ideas. To avoid them, make sure every sentence has a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought!

Related Reading: Understanding Verbs: The Action Words of Language

Practice Exercises

Identify the subordinate clauses in these sentences.

1. I’ll go to the party if I finish my homework.
2. When the rain stopped, we went outside to play.
3. She didn’t understand the lesson because she wasn’t paying attention.
4. Although he was tired, he stayed up late to finish the project.
5. They didn’t know why the meeting was canceled.
6. Before the movie started, we bought some popcorn.
7. He was happy that his team won the championship.
8. Since I moved to this town, I’ve made many new friends.
9. I will call you after the show ends.
10. If I had known about the sale, I would have gone shopping.
11. The teacher asked us which book we had chosen for our project.
12. As soon as the bell rings, the students rush out of the classroom.
13. Even though it was raining, they went for a hike.
14. She can’t decide whether to take the bus or walk.
15. Unless you apologize, they won’t forgive you.
16. Because he was late, he missed the beginning of the presentation.
17. While she was reading, the doorbell rang.
18. I’m not sure how we are going to solve this problem.
19. Wherever you go, I’ll be there to support you.
20. He studied hard so that he could pass the exam.

Key Takeaways

1. Subordinate Clauses need help: A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It depends on a main clause to make sense.
2. Use Subordinate Clauses to Add Detail: Subordinate clauses help explain why, when, where, how, or under what conditions something happens.
3. Start Subordinate Clauses with Key Words: Subordinate clauses often start with subordinating conjunctions (like because, if, since) or relative pronouns (like who, which, that).
4. Place Subordinate Clauses Anywhere: Subordinate clauses can come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Just make sure the sentence is clear.
5. Use Adverbial Clauses to Show Time, Cause, or Condition: Adverbial clauses (a type of subordinate clause) explain things like time (when the bell rings), cause (because it was late), or condition (if it rains).

6. Try Using Adjective Clauses to Add Descriptions: Adjective clauses (another type of subordinate clause) describe nouns or pronouns.
7. Use Noun Clauses for More Complex Ideas: Noun clauses function like nouns, often answering what or who. Example: I don’t know what she is thinking.
8. Be Mindful of Sentence Fragments: A subordinate clause on its own is incomplete. Make sure it’s always connected to a main clause.
9. Combine Simple Sentences Using Subordinate Clauses: Turn one of your simple sentences into a subordinate clause to combine ideas.
10. Use Subordinate Clauses to Express Conditions: Conditional clauses (like if, unless, as long as) show possible outcomes or conditions.

Last Words on Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses are powerful tools that can add depth and clarity to your writing. Whether they’re acting as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, these clauses help you create more detailed and connected sentences. The more you practice using subordinate clauses, the easier it will become to spot and use them in your own writing.

Happy writing!

Linda

Liked this post? Pin this image! It’s a huge help for my blog. Thank you!

Feature Image by HH Designs.