2. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand on its own as a complete
sentence. It acts as a complement to a sentence’s main clause. A subordinate
clause is dependent on the main clause to make it meaningful. Basically, a
subordinate clause provide informational support to the main idea of the
statement.
For example: We can have some ice-cream if I can find my purse.
From the sentence above, the phrase if I can find my purse is a subordinate
clause because it does not express complete thought on its own.
3. There are three types of subordinate clauses.
CLAUSES
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE (RELATIVE CLAUSE)
ADVERB CLAUSE
NOUN CLAUSE
4. ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
1. An adjective clause is introduced by a relative pronoun which substitutes
for a noun, a noun phrase or pronoun when sentences are combined.
2. The adjective clause is linked to the main clause with a relative pronoun as
shown in the following table.
5. RELATIVE PRONOUN FUNCTION EXAMPLE
who Subject or object for people I like that teacher who always had a kind word for
everyone.
which Subject or object for
animals or things
He bought the white MPV, which was sold at a
discounted price.
whom Object pronoun for people Sara hopes she will see more of the person whom
she spent hours talking with yesterday.
that Subject or object pronoun
for people , animals or
things in defining relative
clause
This is the tree house that Johan built when he
was young.
whose Possession for people,
things or animals
That is the rich whose gather volunteered as a
frontliner during the worldwide pandemic
6. ADVERB CLAUSE EXAMPLES
Adverb clause of manner
➔ Answers the question `how’?
➔ The girl danced as if she were a professional dancer.
➔ You can jump and shout as you like.
Adverb clause of place
➔ Answers the question `where’?
➔ You may sit wherever you like in the room.
➔ Tom ran where he could not be found by his mother
Adverb clause of time
➔ Answers the question `when’?
➔ The scouts returned to the camp when it was quite dark.
➔ You can hand in your work as soon as you have completed
it.
Adverb clause of purpose
➔ It is introduced by `so that’ `lest’
etc
➔ He saved his money so that he could buy a house
➔ Bring all your original documents lest they disbelieve you.
ADVERB CLAUSE
An adverb clause plays the role of the adverb. The entire clause modifies a verb, an adjective or
another adverb. There are several types of adverb clauses.
7. ADVERB CLAUSE EXAMPLES
Adverb clause of reason
➔ Answers the question `why’?
➔ As he had hurt his ankle, he did not gp to school.
➔ Since you have done your work, you may go home.
Adverb clause of condition
➔ Describes the situation of an
action
➔ You must attend all the classes unless you are not
feeling well.
➔ Let’s go home if it is sold out there too.
Adverb clause of concession
➔ It is introduced by `although’, `
however’, `even if’ etc
➔ Even though he was the top sales person, he was not
given a promotion
➔ They would not have been able to get the tickets for the
concert even if they had arrived earlier.
Adverb clause of result
➔ Describe the result of an action
➔ It is introduced by `so… that’,
`such ….that’ , etc.
➔ The flood was so bad that everyone had to be evacuated
➔ We were so tired that all of us fell asleep in the train.
8. FUNCTION EXAMPLES
As the subject of a verb ➔ What he has told us surprised us very much,
➔ How the burglar broke into the mansion was still a puzzle
for the authorities
As an object of a verb ➔ My teacher said that she would be on leave for three days.
➔ Aidan did not understand why his friend left abruptly.
As a subject complement ➔ Cheryl ‘s problem is that she overthinks her decisions.
➔ Haziq’s proudest moment was when he won silver medal in
the race.
As an appositive ➔ The news, that we were given an extra holiday, is not true.
➔ The twin’s idea, for us to go on a road trip, is a good one.
NOUN CLAUSE
An noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun.Noun clause can be used in the
following situation.
