Subordination is the combining of two clauses containing ideas that are not of equal importance. The more important idea is called the independent clause and the less important ideas is known as the dependent (subordinate) clause. The result is a complex sentence. Complex sentences are formed using either subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Independent vs. Dependent Clauses

An independent clause stands alone as a complete thought; it could be a simple sentence.

I read the novel.

A dependent clause begins with a connecting word, and although the clause has a subject and a verb, it does not express a complete thought. The idea needs completion

When I read the novel...

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction signals the beginning of a dependent clause.

after	as though	even if	so that	whenever
although	because	in order that	though	where
as	before	provided that	unless	wherever
as if	even though	rather than	until	whether
as long as	if	since	when	while

Functions of Subordinating Conjunctions

FUNCTION	SC	EXAMPLE
condition	if, even if, as long as, provided that, unless	I will go to the concert as long as you go with me. Unless you go with me, I will not go to the concert.
contrast	although, even though, though	I will go to the concert even though you will not go with me. Although you will not go with me, I will still go to the concert.
cause	because, since	I will go because the concert is for one night only. Since the concert is for one night only, I will go without you.
time	after, before, when. whenever, while, until	After I finish my English homework, I will go to the concert. I will finish my English homework before I go to the concert.
place	where, wherever	I will follow this band wherever it plays.
purpose	in order that, so that	So that I don't miss the show, I will even go by myself.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns lead adjective clauses, which are another type of subordinate clause.

EXAMPLES:

Relative pronouns lead adjective clauses, which are another type of subordinate clause.

IC: relative pronouns lead adjective clauses

SC: which are another type of subordinate clause

The researcher who was studying diabetes had a breakthrough.

IC: the researcher had a breakthrough

SC: who was studying diabetes

 

The relative pronoun and the adjective clause it introduces

must immediately follow its antecedent.

CORRECT:

The dog that continued to torment the cats was banished to the kitchen.

INCORRECT:

The dog was banished to the kitchen that continued to torment the cats.

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