How to Identify and Use Subordinate Clauses in Sentences
Understanding subordinate clauses is essential for writing clear and complex sentences in English. Whether you are preparing for school exams, competitive tests, or improving daily communication, knowing how to identify and use subordinate clauses will boost your grammar skills and make your writing more effective.
| Clause Type | Can Stand Alone? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main (Independent) Clause | Yes | The dog barked. |
| Subordinate (Dependent) Clause | No | because it saw a stranger |
What is a Subordinate Clause?
A subordinate clause in English is a group of words with a subject and verb, but it does not express a complete thought. This means it cannot stand alone as a sentence and needs a main clause to make sense. Using subordinate clauses helps you add details, reasons, or conditions to your sentences.
Subordinate Clause vs Main Clause
A main clause, also called an independent clause, expresses a full idea and can be a complete sentence. In contrast, a subordinate clause depends on the main clause for its meaning. Recognizing this difference is important for writing error-free sentences.
| Main Clause | Subordinate Clause |
|---|---|
| The team won the match. | because they practiced daily |
| She will go outside. | if it stops raining |
Types of Subordinate Clauses
There are three main types of subordinate clauses found in English grammar. Each serves a unique role in enhancing your sentences and answers exam questions effectively.
Noun Clauses
A noun clause acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Example: What she said made us smile.
Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses)
An adjective clause describes a noun and starts with relative pronouns like who, which, or that. Example: The boy who scored the goal is my friend.
Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It answers how, when, why, or where. Example: I will call you when I reach home.
Connecting Words: Subordinating Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns
Subordinate clauses usually begin with joining words called subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns. They signal that the clause is giving extra information.
| Subordinating Conjunctions | Relative Pronouns |
|---|---|
| because, if, when, although, since, unless, while | who, whom, whose, which, that |
For a detailed list, visit Subordinating Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns on Vedantu.
Examples of Subordinate Clauses in Sentences
See how subordinate clauses add important details. The subordinate clauses are marked in each example.
We started eating when the guests arrived.
I will help you if you ask.
She left early because she was tired.
The car which is red belongs to my brother.
Although he was busy, he attended the meeting.
I do not know where he lives.
This is the place where we met.
After the rain stopped, we went outside.
Punctuation and Comma Rules with Subordinate Clauses
Comma placement can be confusing. When the subordinate clause comes first, use a comma. When the main clause comes first, usually no comma is needed.
| Position | Example |
|---|---|
| Subordinate Clause First | If you study hard, you will succeed. |
| Main Clause First | You will succeed if you study hard. |
Nonessential or nonrestrictive adjective clauses need commas. Essential ones do not. See Adjective Clause for details.
Quick Tips for Identifying Subordinate Clauses
- A subordinate clause always starts with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.
- It has both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone.
- If the clause does not make full sense alone, it is a subordinate clause.
- It often provides reasons, details, or conditions in the sentence.
Why Subordinate Clauses Matter in English
Mastering subordinate clauses improves your exam marks, writing fluency, and spoken English. They help you answer questions that need detailed explanations, write essays, and communicate clearly. At Vedantu, we make grammar topics simple and practical for students at all levels.
Practice Sentences: Find the Subordinate Clause
- The teacher smiled because the students performed well.
- When the bell rings, the class will start.
- This is the gift that my mother gave me.
- We did not go out since it was raining.
- Whoever finishes first will get a prize.
Try identifying the subordinate clauses in these sentences. Practicing with more sentences builds confidence for exams and writing tasks. For broader practice, check Complex Sentences and Sentence Structure on Vedantu.
In summary, subordinate clauses let you connect ideas and add detail to your writing. There are noun, adjective, and adverb subordinate clauses, each with clear uses. Learning these will make your spoken and written English richer and more accurate.
FAQs on Subordinate Clauses in English Grammar: Explanation & Examples
1. What is a subordinate clause in English?
A subordinate clause in English is a group of words containing a subject and verb but doesn't express a complete thought; it depends on a main clause for meaning. For example: "I will call you when I arrive." The bold section is the subordinate clause.
2. Can a subordinate clause stand alone as a sentence?
No, a subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It's a dependent clause that needs a main clause to form a grammatically correct sentence. Think of it as an incomplete thought needing a main clause to complete its meaning. Using the example from question 1: "when I arrive" is incomplete on its own.
3. What are three types of subordinate clauses?
Three main types of subordinate clauses are: noun clauses (function as nouns), adjective clauses (modify nouns), and adverb clauses (modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs). Each type plays a different grammatical role within a sentence.
4. How do you identify a subordinate clause in a sentence?
Look for a group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone. These clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, since, if, when) or relative pronouns (e.g., who, whom, which, that). They act as dependent clauses within a larger sentence.
5. What is the difference between a main clause and a subordinate clause?
A main clause (or independent clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A subordinate clause (or dependent clause) cannot stand alone; it requires a main clause to complete its meaning. The main clause is the central idea, while the subordinate clause provides additional information or modifies the main idea.
6. Do you need a comma before a subordinate clause?
It depends! If the subordinate clause comes before the main clause, you usually need a comma. If it follows the main clause, a comma is often not required, especially with short subordinate clauses. For example, "Because it was raining, the game was cancelled." vs. "The game was cancelled because it was raining."
7. What is an example of a subordinate clause?
Here are a few examples of subordinate clauses: "Although it was cold, we went for a walk." (adverb clause); "The book that I borrowed is interesting." (adjective clause); "I know that he is right." (noun clause).
8. How to identify main clause and subordinate clause?
To identify main and subordinate clauses, look for the independent clause that can stand alone. The subordinate clause will be dependent on this main clause and will usually begin with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. The main clause expresses the complete thought.
9. What are the 10 examples of clauses?
Providing 10 specific examples would be extensive, but here are some clause types for examples: main clauses, subordinate clauses (noun, adjective, and adverb), relative clauses (restrictive and nonrestrictive), and participial phrases (often acting like adjective clauses). Each can function differently within a sentence.
10. What words start subordinate clauses?
Subordinate clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, if, when, since, after, before, while) or relative pronouns (e.g., who, whom, whose, which, that). These words signal the dependent nature of the clause.
