2. Subordinate Clauses
It is noted that the subordinate clause can be either at the
beginning, in the middle or at the end of the sentence, as well as
there may or may not be a link between the two sentences. They
can be adverbial, which are those that modify the verb, substantive,
in which the noun is the subject, and adjective, in which it is part
of a noun phrase.
Subordinate clauses can play different roles in the sentence such
as providing additional information, expressing a condition, giving
a reason, showing a comparison, among others.
Subordinate clauses are groups of words that contain a subject
and a verb, but cannot function as independent sentences. These
clauses are subordinate to a main clause and act as complements or
modifiers within the main clause.
3. Adverbial subordinate clauses are those that take the place
of an adverbial phrase in the main clause. The usual position
of the adverbial subordinate clause is just after the main
clause although most adverbial clauses can also be placed at
the beginning of the main clause.
Adverbial subordinate clauses
There are 8 types of adverbial subordinate clauses:
Conditional: indicates a condition for the main proposition
to be carried out.
Time: indicate the moment in which the verbal action is
carried out.
Purpose: indicates the purpose of what is expressed in the
main proposition.
Reason: indicates the cause of what is expressed in the
main proposition.
Place: indicates the place where the verbal action takes
place.
Result: indicate the consequence of what is expressed in
the main proposition.
Concession: indicates an obstacle that does not prevent
the fulfillment of the main proposition.
Mode: indicates the form or manner in which the verbal
action is developed.
4. Subordinate conjunctions
Time Example
After After running for 3 hours he ate a hamburger
Before He told her the truht before dying
When I was sleeping when you started singing
While While Kathy was doing her homework, his dog was
playing with a bone
Since I go diving since I learnt to swin
Until Her mother wouldn't let him go out until he finished
studying
Reason Example
Because I came back walking as I had no money for the bus
Since We didn't have class since the teacher din't come.
Now that Now that I know the truth, could you stop lying?
As
In order that The criminal cleaned up the house in order that
nobody suspected
So I'll be free this afternoon, so I can go with you
I couldn't call you as I had no battery
Time
Reason
5. Condition Example
If If you work a lot, you will get more tired
Unless We will go to the party unless it is canceled
They will pass the exam, only if they study
He will be the best swimmer no matter if he was
the worst
Only if
Whether or not
Even if I box my mind is not focused
Even if
In case (that) I'll be here if you need me
Consession Example
Although Although he didn't speak Spanish, he could
Just as
Even though It was very wrong even though it's the best for her
Whereas He's very shy, whereas she's extroverted
While While I cleaned the house, you slept
Nevertheless I worked very hard all week ne. Nevertheless, i lost
my job
She is tall just as a giraffe
Consession
Condition
6. Purpose Example
To Study more to be better in life
So that This manager never explains the tasks to the new
staff so that they take their own initiatives.
So I'll go to the party with my friends
So
Purpose
Place Example
where Going to buy ice cream where my friends went
Wherever
Everywhere
In this house the cat can sleep wherever he wants
My cat's hair leaves it everywhere.
Place
Result Example
So that
The mind is constituted, so that it cannot help
feeling.
So
And so
Ken didn't work hard enough, so he failed the
exam.
Result
And so the whole process is mechanical
7. Conjunctions of the verbs
Fixed
Variables
Fixed links are those that are
always used with a specific
verb and cannot be improved
by others. An example of a
hard link is "remember
something".
"She reminds me of my
mother" (She reminds me of
my mother)
Variable links are those that can
vary depending on the verb and
the structure of the sentence. An
example of a variable link is "think
of / about" (think of / around
something).
"Im thinking of going on vacation"
or "What do you think about this
idea?" (What do you think about
this idea?).
8. All these conjunctions serve to introduce subordinate clauses. In
Spanish, the fact that it is a subordinate clause will affect the
punctuation.
If the sentence begins with the subordinate, it will be necessary
to place a comma before the main one. If the order is the
opposite, it should not be placed. This is important as it is
considered a misspelling.
Example:
If you have any problem, just call me
Just call me if you have a problem
Use of the comma in subordinate
clauses