subordinate clause

Incomplete sentence part

A subordinate clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

It depends on a main clause to make sense: Because she was tired, who lives next door, when the rain stops.

Also called a dependent clause.

Subordinate clauses function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within larger sentences.

grammar

conjunction

Word joining clauses together

sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
syntaxRules for arranging words
embeddingPlacing within surrounding mass

predicate · subject · verb · finite · nonfinite · antecedent · parsing

connectors

because

For the reason that

sinceFrom then onward
althoughConcessive conjunction
thoughConcession marker

while · when · if · unless · after · before · until · whereas · whenever · wherever

nonrestrictive

parenthetical

Set off by punctuation

supplementaryServing to complete
appositiveRenaming grammatical element
additionalBeyond the existing amount

nonessential · descriptive · explanatory · interruptive

function

modification

Act of altering something

elaborationDevelopment through detail
conditionState or stipulation
causeWhat produces an effect

concession · purpose · result · time · place · manner · contrast · restriction · specification · qualification

restrictive

essential

Fundamentally necessary

definingSpecifying exact meaning
identifyingDetermining what something is
specifyingStating precisely

limiting · integrated · unpunctuated · necessary · determining

Opposites

grammatical dependency

subordinate clauseindependent clause

Self-sufficient grammatical unit

main clause · simple sentence · complete sentence

Family

clause, subordinate, insubordinate, insubordination, subordination, subordinated, subordinating, subordinately, subordinator

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