Subordinate Clauses: Meaning, Types, Examples and Exercises

Subordinate clauses are among the most significant parts of a sentence in English grammar. They are used to give additional information, to explain ideas in a clear way and to form sentences with more meaning. A subordinate clause by itself is not a complete sentence . It does not express a complete thought . It relies on a main clause for full meaning. These clauses are commonly used in everyday English, academic writing, and professional communication. In this article you will get to know about the meaning of subordinate clause, types of subordinate clause, common words to introduce subordinate clause, examples, difference between main and subordinate clause, comma rules and practice exercises.

Table of Contents

• What is a Subordinate Clause?
• Main Clause vs Subordinate Clause
• Types of Subordinate Clauses
• Words That Begin Subordinate Clauses
• Examples of Subordinate Clauses
• Comma Placement: Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive Clauses
• Why do I need to know which Clauses Are Subordinate?
• Subordinate Clause Exercises
• Frequently Asked Questions on Subordinate Clauses

What is a Subordinate Clause?

A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete idea. It depends on a main clause to complete its meaning. A subordinate clause is also called a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Example: When Jack blew the whistle, the dog stopped running.

Here, ‘When Jack blew the whistle’ is the subordinate clause. It has a subject and a verb, but on its own it feels unfinished. The main clause ‘the dog stopped running’ completes the thought.

Definition of Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause is a clause that adds additional information to a sentence but cannot function independently.

Structure of a Subordinate Clause: Subordinate conjunction/relative pronoun + subject + verb

 

Main Clause vs Subordinate Clause

Understanding the difference between a main clause and a subordinate clause is essential in English grammar.

What is a Main Clause?

A main clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Examples of main clause:

• The baby is sleeping.

• I completed my homework.

• They went to the park.

What is a Subordinate Clause?

A subordinate clause also contains a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought.

Examples of subordinate clause:

• because the baby was tired

• after I completed my homework

• when they went to the park

 

Types of Subordinate Clauses

A subordinate clause can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. These are the three main types of subordinate clauses in English grammar.

• Noun Clauses
• Adjective Clauses
• Adverb Clauses

Adverb Clauses

An adverb clause functions like an adverb. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb in the main clause. Adverb clauses explain when, where, why, how, or under what condition something happens. Some common subordinating conjunctions are because, although, when, while, if, since, after, before, unless, and until

Examples

• We stayed home because it was raining.

• I will call you when I arrive.

• If you practise daily, you will improve.

• I fished until the sun went down.

• She stayed home because she was feeling unwell.

Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause modifies or describes a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It works like an adjective by giving additional information about a person, place, thing, or idea. Because they describe nouns, adjective clauses are also called relative clauses. Adjective clauses usually begin with relative pronouns such as: who, whom, whose, which, that

Examples

• The girl who won the prize is my cousin.

• I met a teacher whom everyone respected.

• This is the book that I borrowed yesterday.

• My teacher, who has taught for twenty years, is retiring.

• The student whom the principal praised won the competition.

Noun Clauses

Noun clauses function as nouns in a sentence. They can act as subjects, objects, or complements. Noun clauses are often introduced by words such as that, what, who, whether, why, how, whoever

Examples

• What she said was true.

• I know that he is honest.

• Whether they will come is uncertain.

• What he said surprised everyone.

• She believes that honesty is important.
  
  

Other Types of Subordinate Clauses

Conditional Clauses: These clauses express a condition.

• Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.

Relative Clauses: These clauses provide information about a noun. They are another name for adjective clauses.

• Example:The boy who won the race is my cousin.

Comparative Clauses: These clauses compare two things.

• Example: She is taller than I expected.

Verbless Clauses: These are clauses where the verb is omitted but understood.

• Example: When in doubt, ask questions.

Complementary Clauses: These clauses complete the meaning of a verb, adjective, or noun.

• Example: She believes that he is innocent.

 

Words That Begin Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses usually begin with subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

Common Relative Pronouns

• who

• whom

• whose

• which

• that

 

Examples of Subordinate Clauses

Here is a range of subordinate clause examples across all three types, with the subordinate clause highlighted in each sentence:

Adverb Clause Examples

• Because he practised every day, he improved rapidly.

• She won't speak until you apologise

• Although it was raining, they continued the match.

• Because it was late, we went home.

• If you hurry, you can catch the bus.

Adjective Clause Examples

• The book that she recommended was outstanding.

• This is the house where I grew up

• The player who scored the goal became famous.

• The man whom you met yesterday is a doctor.

• I lost the keys that you gave me.

Noun Clause Examples

• What she said surprised everyone.

• I wonder whether he will arrive on time

• What he explained was interesting.

• I believe that honesty is important.

• Why she left remains a mystery.

 

Comma Placement: Restrictive vs Nonrestrictive Clauses

When learning subordinate clause, the main confusion is that whether to use a comma or not. If the clause is necessary to understand the sentence, do not use commas. It depends on whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive.

Restrictive Clauses

A restrictive clause gives important information about the noun. Without it, the sentence meaning becomes unclear. So, we do not use commas.

Examples:

• Students who study regularly perform better.

• The book that you gave me is interesting.

• My sister who lives in Moscow is getting married.

Nonrestrictive Clauses

A nonrestrictive clause gives extra information. The sentence still makes sense without it. So, commas are needed. If the clause gives extra information only, use commas.

Examples:

• My brother, who lives in Mumbai, is an engineer.

• The Taj Mahal, which is famous around the world, is in Agra.

• My sister, who lives in Moscow, is getting married.

 

Why do I need to know which Clauses Are Subordinate?

Understanding subordinate clauses is important because they help you write clear, correct, and more advanced sentences in English.

Avoid Sentence Fragments

A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. If it is written alone, it becomes a grammar error called a sentence fragment.

Example:

Incorrect: Because I was tired.

Correct: I went to bed early because I was tired.

Use Punctuation Correctly

Comma rules depend on whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive. Learning subordinate clauses helps you use commas correctly in sentences.

Examples: 

Students who study regularly perform better.

My brother, who lives in Delhi, is a doctor.

Write with More Variety

Subordinate clauses help you create complex and interesting sentences instead of using many short sentences.

 

Subordinate Clause Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Subordinate Clause

Identify the subordinate clause in each sentence.

1. I stayed indoors because it was cold.

2. The girl who sits near me is intelligent.

3. When the bell rang, the students left.

4. We cancelled the trip although the weather improved.

5. The book that you gave me is very helpful.

Answers:

1. because it was cold

2. who sits near me

3. When the bell rang

4. although the weather improved

5. that you gave me

Exercise 2: Identify the Type of Subordinate Clause

Write whether the underlined clause is a noun clause, adjective clause, or adverb clause.

1. I know that she is honest.

2. The boy who won the race is my friend.

3. We stayed home because it was raining.

4. What he said surprised everyone.

5. She smiled when she saw her mother.

Answers:

1. Noun clause

2. Adjective clause

3. Adverb clause

4. Noun clause

5. Adverb clause

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Subordinating Word

Choose the correct word from the brackets.

1. I stayed home ________ I was sick. (because/which)

2. The girl ________ won the prize is my cousin. (who/when)

3. We will wait ________ the bus arrives. (until/that)

4. I know ________ he is telling the truth. (that/although)

5. She practised daily ________ she could improve. (so that/who)

Answers:

1. because

2. who

3. until

4. that

5. so that