What Is a Subordinate Clause? Guide to Dependent Clauses

A clause is a part of a sentence that functions independently or independently as a complete thought. Clauses contain a subject (the actor) and a verb (the action the subject performs). Sentences are made up of independent and dependent clauses that describe a subject, where they are, the mood, and the action they are taking.

Subordinate clauses, also known as dependent clauses, are sections of a sentence that contain a subject and a verb but act as modifiers to the subject of the independent clause. This part of the sentence can also help establish the time sequence, causality, or a specific example of the idea. Subordinate clauses are usually joined to the independent clause (or main clause) via subordinate conjunctions to form complex sentences or clarify the intent or meaning of the sentence.

Subordinate clauses fall into three categories: direct objects, a noun modifier, or a verb modifier. Here are the three types of subordinate clauses.

1. 1. Noun clauses: Noun clauses are when the subordinate clause in the sentence replaces a noun. Noun clauses contain both a subject and a verb, and typically function as direct objects or predicate nominatives.
2. 2. Adjective clauses: An adjective clause, also known as an adjectival clause or relative clause, is a type of subordinate clause that offers extra information in a sentence. They are used within a main or independent clause to modify a noun or noun phrase. A relative clause is always a dependent clause, meaning that it contains a subject and verb and is not a complete sentence. Relative clauses are typically introduced in a sentence by a relative pronoun (such as “who,” “whom,” “which,” “whose,” or “that”) or a relative adverb (such as “when,” “where,” or “why”).
3. 3. Adverbial clauses: The relative adverbs “where,” “when,” and “why” provide additional information about a place, time, or reason. In a sentence, they function by modifying other parts of speech. When a relative adverb begins an adjective clause, it modifies a noun or noun phrase. When a relative adverb begins an adverb clause, it modifies a verb.

If you’re having trouble identifying subordinate clauses or simply want to improve your sentence structure, the following examples of subordinate clauses may help with understanding the function of these parts of speech.

1. 1. “Whoever you choose to be on your team should be qualified.” In this example, the subordinate noun clause is “whomever you choose to be on your team,” introduced by the relative pronoun “whoever.”
   
2. 2. “The friend that you brought to the party was nice.” In this example, “that you brought to the party” is the group of words that form the adjective clause, because it reveals more information about the friend, the subject of the sentence.
3. 3. “The grocery store where I always shop went out of business.” In this example, “where” is the relative adverb that introduces the dependent adverbial clause “where I always shop” which provides more information about the subject (“the grocery store”).

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Malcolm Gladwell, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.