Subordinate clauses - Subordinate word groups - Grammar Basics

Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Subordinate clauses
Subordinate word groups
Grammar Basics

Subordinate clauses are patterned like sentences, having subjects and verbs and sometimes objects or complements. But they function within sentences as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. They cannot stand alone as complete sentences.

A subordinate clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. The chart in this section classifies these words according to the kinds of clauses (adjective, adverb, or noun) they introduce.

WORDS THAT INTRODUCE SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Words introducing adjective clauses

RELATIVE PRONOUNS: that, which, who, whom, whose

RELATIVE ADVERBS: when, where, why

Words introducing adverb clauses

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even though, if, in order that, once, since, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whether, while

Words introducing noun clauses

RELATIVE PRONOUNS: that, which, who, whom, whose

OTHER PRONOUNS: what, whatever, whichever, whoever, whomever

OTHER SUBORDINATING WORDS: how, if, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, why

Adjective clauses

Adjective clauses modify nouns or pronouns, usually answering the question Which one? or What kind of? Most adjective clauses begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, or that). In addition to introducing the clause, the relative pronoun points back to the noun that the clause modifies.

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Relative pronouns are sometimes “understood.”

✵ The things [that] we cherish most are the things [that] we might lose.

Occasionally an adjective clause is introduced by a relative adverb, usually when, where, or why.

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The parts of an adjective clause are often arranged as in sentences (subject/verb/object or complement).

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Frequently, however, the object or complement appears first, out of the normal order of subject/verb/object.

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TIP: For punctuation of adjective clauses, see 33e and 34e. For advice about avoiding repeated words in adjective clauses, see 30d.

Adverb clauses

Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, usually answering one of these questions: When? Where? Why? How? Under what conditions? To what degree? They always begin with a subordinating conjunction (such as after, although, because, that, though, unless, or when). (For a complete list, see the chart on this page.)

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Noun clauses

A noun clause functions just like a single-word noun, usually as a subject, a subject complement, a direct object, or an object of a preposition. It usually begins with one of the following words: how, if, that, what, whatever, when, whenever, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose, why.

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The subordinating word introducing the clause may or may not play a significant role in the clause. In the preceding example sentences, Whoever is the subject of its clause, but that does not perform a function in its clause.

As with adjective clauses, the parts of a noun clause may appear in normal order (subject/verb/object or complement) or out of their normal order.

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EXERCISE 49-3

Underline the subordinate clauses in the following sentences. Tell whether each clause is an adjective, adverb, or noun clause and how it is used in the sentence. Answers appear in the back of the book.

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a. The city’s electoral commission adjusted the voting process so that every vote would count.

b. A marketing campaign that targets baby boomers may not appeal to young professionals.

c. After the Tambora volcano erupted in the southern Pacific in 1815, no one realized that it would contribute to the “year without a summer” in Europe and North America.

d. The concept of peak oil implies that at a certain point there will be no more oil to extract from the earth.

e. Details are easily overlooked when you are rushing.