What is a Subordinate Clause?

S2-SA1-0284

Grade Level:

Class 1

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on a main clause to make full sense. Think of it like a supporting actor in a movie; it helps the main story but isn't the whole story itself.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you say, 'I will eat my dosa.' This is a complete thought. Now, if you add, 'after I finish my homework,' this part 'after I finish my homework' is a subordinate clause. It has a subject ('I') and a verb ('finish'), but it doesn't make full sense on its own. You need the first part, 'I will eat my dosa,' to understand it fully.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the subordinate clause in the sentence: 'My mother, who loves to cook, made delicious biryani for dinner.'

1. First, identify the complete sentence: 'My mother, who loves to cook, made delicious biryani for dinner.'
---2. Try to find the main part that can stand alone. 'My mother made delicious biryani for dinner' makes complete sense by itself. This is the main clause.
---3. Now, look at the remaining part: 'who loves to cook.'
---4. Does 'who loves to cook' make complete sense if you say it alone? No, it leaves you wondering 'Who loves to cook?'
---5. Does it have a subject and a verb? Yes, 'who' (referring to mother) is the subject, and 'loves' is the verb.
---6. Since it has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone, 'who loves to cook' is the subordinate clause.

Answer: The subordinate clause is 'who loves to cook'.

Why It Matters

Understanding subordinate clauses helps you write clear and complex sentences, which is vital for good communication in any field. Journalists use them to report detailed news, and lawyers use them to draft precise legal documents. Even in literature, authors use them to add depth and detail to stories, making reading more engaging.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking a subordinate clause can be a full sentence on its own. | CORRECTION: Remember, a subordinate clause always needs a main clause to complete its meaning. It's like a side dish that needs a main course.

MISTAKE: Confusing a subordinate clause with a phrase (a group of words without a subject-verb pair). | CORRECTION: Always check for both a subject and a verb within the clause. If one is missing, it's likely a phrase, not a clause.

MISTAKE: Forgetting that subordinate clauses often start with special words like 'because,' 'although,' 'when,' 'who,' 'which.' | CORRECTION: Pay attention to these 'subordinating conjunctions' or 'relative pronouns' as they are strong clues for identifying a subordinate clause.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Identify the subordinate clause: 'We went to the market because we needed vegetables.' | ANSWER: because we needed vegetables

QUESTION: Which part of the sentence is a subordinate clause? 'The student, who scored the highest marks, received a prize.' | ANSWER: who scored the highest marks

QUESTION: Combine these two ideas using a subordinate clause: 'I enjoy playing cricket. It makes me feel active.' | ANSWER: I enjoy playing cricket because it makes me feel active. (or 'Because it makes me feel active, I enjoy playing cricket.')

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following is a subordinate clause?

I love chai.

Running fast.

When the train arrived.

She smiled brightly.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C, 'When the train arrived,' has a subject ('the train') and a verb ('arrived') but cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Options A and D are complete sentences (main clauses). Option B is a phrase, not a clause, as it lacks a subject.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you use a navigation app like Google Maps to find the best route, the app often gives you instructions like 'Turn left after you cross the flyover.' The part 'after you cross the flyover' is a subordinate clause. It gives you important extra information that depends on the main instruction, helping you reach your destination correctly.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

CLAUSE: A group of words with a subject and a verb | MAIN CLAUSE: A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence | SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION: A word that introduces a subordinate clause (e.g., because, although, when) | RELATIVE PRONOUN: A pronoun that introduces a subordinate clause (e.g., who, which, that)

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand subordinate clauses, you're ready to learn about different types of subordinate clauses, like noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses. This will help you add even more detail and variety to your writing!