The document discusses subordination in sentences. Subordination is a grammatical strategy to communicate that one idea is more important than another in the same sentence. The main clause contains the more important idea, while the subordinate clause contains the less important idea. Different conjunctions and relative pronouns are used to join the clauses and indicate their relationship. Examples are provided to illustrate proper and faulty subordination. Faulty subordination occurs when the order of importance is reversed or the conjunction does not logically connect the clauses. Faulty sentences can be corrected by changing conjunctions or breaking sentences into multiple sentences.

1. What is subordination in
sentences?
Subordination: is a grammatical strategy to communicate that one idea in a
sentence is more important than another idea in the same sentence.

2. But How?
By placing the more important idea in an MAIN CLAUSE
and the less important idea in a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
Depending on the meaning you want to deliver.
Jack Sparrow faced a dangerous storm while he was looking for the treasure.
MAIN CLAUSE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
When he came to the island, he just found a chest with sand and shells.
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

3. Without Subordination
Here’s a passage with the same message as the example above, but without
subordination.
Jack Sparrow faced a dangerous storm. He was looking for a treasure. He came
to the island. He found a chest with sand and shells.

4. Time Reason/Caus
e
Place Contrast Purpose/res
ult
Condition
After
before
once
until
when whenever
while
As
because
since
wherever
where
although even
though though
whereas while
in order that
so that
that
if
Only if
even if provided
that
unless
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Each SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION has its own meaning. When you choose
one, be sure that its meaning accurately expresses the relationship between
the ideas that you want to convey.

5. Differences between: Coordination and
Subordination
Coordination:
Connect ideas of equal
importance.
Two independent clauses.
It is joined by:
Coordinating conjunctions
(FANBOYS)
and conjunction adverbs
(However, Moreover etc.)
Subordination:
Connect important ideas with less
important ideas.
Main clause with the subordinate
clause.
It is joined by:
Subordinating conjunction
(Because, Since, Before)
and relative pronouns (who,
which, that).

6. EXAMPLES:
 (Coordinated)
 Susan forgot to set the alarm so she
overslept. (Coordinate conjunction)
 Susan forgot to set the alarm;
therefore, she overslept. (Conjunctive
adverb)
 (Subordinated)
 Susan forgot to set the alarm because she
was tired. (Subordinate conjunction)
 Susan, who was tired, forgot to set the
alarm. (Relative pronoun)

7. But How do we create or identify a subordinate
clause?
Adverb clause
After the sky grew dark, the wind died
suddenly.
Subordinating conjunction. Relative pronoun.
Adjective clause
Starts with Starts with
The sky, which had been clear,
turned greenish black.
The stores closed before the storm
began.
Anyone who lives through a
tornado remembers its power.

8. NOW WE ARE READY…

9. Faulty Subordination:
It occurs when:
 The order of importance in the sentence is reversed.
 A sentence contains a series of clauses, each subordinate to an earlier
 One Subordinating conjunction doesn’t communicate a sensible
relationship between the MAIN CLAUSE and the SUBORDINATE CLAUSE.

10. How to correct Faulty Subordination?:
1Change the position of the subordinating conjunction or
phrase.
The hurricane threat has passed, although the red alert in
the coastal áreas remains in effect.
Although The hurricane threat has passed, the red alert in
the coastal áreas remains in effect.

11. 2 Change the SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION that doesn’t communicate a
sensible relationship between clauses.
Because Beethoven was deaf when he wrote them, his final symphonies were
masterpieces.
Although Beethoven was deaf when he wrote them, his final symphonies were
masterpieces.

12. 3 To correct excessive subordination, break the sentence into two or more sentences
or change some of the dependent clauses to modifying phrases.
Sara, who was a San Francisco-native who lived in the University Park Apartments, enjoyed those
special moments when a group of students who also came from Northern California visited her
dorm, which was lonely for most of the school year.
Sara, a San Francisco-native, lived in the University Park Apartments. Because her dorm was
lonely most of the school year, she enjoyed those special moments when a group of students
who also were from Northern California would visit her.

13. CONGRATULATIONS
 NOW YOU ARE A MASTER IN CORRECTING FAULTY SUBORDINATION.
Are you sure?.

14. Item 1
To impress Deepa, his date, Ryan labored over the
chicken stir fry; __________, she took offense that he
was serving meat after she had explained her
vegetarianism.
A. furthermore
B. moreover
C. however
D. additionally
To impress Maria, his girlfriend, Ryan cooked a big
chicken; __________, she took offense that he was
serving meat after she had explained her
vegetarianism.
A. furthermore
B. moreover
C. however
D. additionally

15. Item 2
__________ Thomas scores a 100 on the final exam,
he cannot pass College Algebra, a class he is taking
for the third time.
A. Because
B. Since
C. As a result,
D. Unless
__________ Thomas scores a 100 on the final exam,
he cannot pass English Composition I, a class he is
taking for the third time.
A. Because
B. Since
C. As a result,
D. Unless

16. Item 3
Mackenzie’s clarinet squealed like a startled puppy,
__________ she hadn’t practiced in weeks.
A. because
B. for
C. since
D. unless
Brian's clarinet squealed like a startled puppy,
__________ he hadn’t practiced in weeks.
A. However
B. Due to
C. since
D. unless

17. Item 4
__________ Grandma tasted the spaghetti sauce, she
declared that it needed more basil and salt.
A. Unless
B. Although
C. Whereas
D. After
__________ Grandma tasted the spaghetti sauce, she
declared that it needed more pepper and salt.
A. Unless
B. Although
C. Only if
D. After