Clauses: Types of Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses (also called dependent clauses) are clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and function as part of a larger sentence. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions, relative pronouns, or other markers. There are three main types of subordinate clauses:

1. Noun Clauses

Definition: Function as a noun in the sentence (subject, object, or complement).

Key Markers: “that,” “what,” “whatever,” “who,” “whom,” “whether,” “why,” “if,” etc.

Examples:

Subject: What he said surprised everyone.

Object: She knows that he is coming.

Complement: The question is whether we should proceed.

2. Adjective (or Relative) Clauses

Definition: Modify a noun or pronoun, providing more information about it.

Key Markers: “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” “that,” “where,” “when,” etc.

Examples:

The book that I borrowed is fascinating.

She is the one who helped me.

The house where they live is old.

3. Adverb Clauses

Definition: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing information about time, place, reason, condition, purpose, manner, etc.

Key Markers: Subordinating conjunctions like “because,” “since,” “if,” “although,” “when,” “while,” “after,” “before,” “unless,” etc.

Examples:

Adverb clause of Time: I’ll call you when I arrive.

Adverb clause of Reason: He stayed home because he was sick.

Adverb clause of Condition: If it rains, we’ll cancel the trip.

Adverb Clause of Place

Definition: Indicates the location where an action occurs.

Common Markers: where, wherever

Examples:

You can sit wherever you like.

The treasure is hidden where no one can find it.

They went where the road ended.



Adverb Clause of Purpose

Definition: Indicates the reason or goal of an action.

Common Markers: so that, in order that, for the purpose that

Examples:

She spoke slowly so that everyone could understand her.

He left early in order that he might catch the train.

They practice daily so that they can improve their skills.


Adverb Clause of Manner

Definition: Indicates the way or method in which an action is performed.

Common Markers: as, as if, as though

Examples:

He acted as if he knew the answer.

They worked as hard as they could.

She sings as though she were a professional.

Understanding these types helps in identifying and correctly using subordinate clauses in writing or speech.

1. (A) Identify the sub-ordinate clause and state its name:

1. If you are unable to work well, you will be fired.
2. I will wait until the next bus comes.
3. Pay heed to what the teacher says.
4. The time, which is lost, is lost forever.
5. This is the house that Jack built.
6. What he said was interesting.
7. This is the place where the accident happened.
8. It is the freedom that we must protect.
9. Even though they enjoyed them he was not attached them.
10. He is the boy who broke the window.
11. Tell me where you have been.
12. This is the man whom I met yesterday.
13. Come in when I ring the bell.
14. The boy who found the wallet was rewarded.
15. If you don’t hurry, you can’t meet me.
16. I can’t understand what he says.
17. Do you know who she is?
18. The girl who has won the prize is my sister.
19. He asked why I was late.
20. He worked so hard that he made himself ill.
21. My belief is that he is innocent.
22. The snake that bit my dog was killed.
23. It is a mystery who can have stolen the watch.

24. That was what he said.
25. This is the man I met at the theatre.

Key

Here’s the identification of the subordinate clauses and their types for each sentence:

1. Subordinate Clause: If you are unable to work well
   Type: Adverb Clause of Condition (introduced by “if”).

2. Subordinate Clause: until the next bus comes* 
   Type: Adverb Clause of Time (indicates when the action happens).

3. Subordinate Clause: what the teacher say
   Type: Noun Clause (acts as the object of the preposition “to”).

4. Subordinate Clause: which is lost 
   Type: Adjective Clause (modifies “the time” with “which”).

5. Subordinate Clause: that Jack built 
   Type: Adjective Clause (describes “the house”).

6. Subordinate Clause: What he said
   Type: Noun Clause (acts as the subject of the sentence).

7. Subordinate Clause: where the accident happened 
   Type: Adjective Clause (modifies “the place”).

8. Subordinate Clause: that we must protect* 
   Type: Adjective Clause (describes “the freedom”).

9. Subordinate Clause: Even though they enjoyed them
  Type: Adverb Clause of Concession (contrasts with the main clause).

10. Subordinate Clause: who broke the window
    Type: Adjective Clause (modifies “the boy”).

11. Subordinate Clause: where you have been* 
    Type: Noun Clause (acts as the direct object of “tell”).

12. Subordinate Clause: whom I met yesterday
    Type: Adjective Clause (modifies “the man”).

13. Subordinate Clause: when I ring the bell 
    Type: Adverb Clause of Time (specifies when to “come in”).

14. Subordinate Clause: who found the wallet 
    Type: Adjective Clause (describes “the boy”).

15. Subordinate Clause: If you don’t hurry
    Type: Adverb Clause of Condition (introduced by “if”).

16. Subordinate Clause: what he says 
    Type: Noun Clause (acts as the object of “understand”).

17. Subordinate Clause: who she is
    Type: Noun Clause (acts as the object of “know”).

18. Subordinate Clause: who has won the prize
    Type: Adjective Clause (modifies “the girl”).

19. Subordinate Clause: why I was late 
    Type: Noun Clause (acts as the object of “asked”).

20. Subordinate Clause: that he made himself ill
    Type: Adverb Clause of Result (shows the consequence of working hard).

21. Subordinate Clause: that he is innocent 
    Type: Noun Clause (acts as a subject complement/predicate nominative).

22. Subordinate Clause: that bit my dog 
    Type: Adjective Clause (describes “the snake”).

23. Subordinate Clause: who can have stolen the watch
    Type: Noun Clause(acts as a subject complement explaining “a mystery”).

24. Subordinate Clause: what he said 
    Type: Noun Clause (acts as a predicate nominative).

25. Subordinate Clause: I met at the theatre (elliptical “whom”) 
    Type: Adjective Clause (modifies “the man”; relative pronoun omitted).

Remember 

1. Adjective Clauses  modify nouns/pronouns (often introduced by who, which, that). 
2. Adverb Clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs (indicate time, condition, cause, etc.). 
3. Noun Clauses function as subjects, objects, or complements (introduced by what, that, why, who, etc.).

B. Use the Sentence Linkers to rewrite a single sentence .

1. Why are you late? Tell me.
→ Tell me why you are late.


2. The police arrived. The mob dispersed.
→ The mob dispersed when the police arrived.


3. He has an unpleasant duty. He has to do it.
→ He has an unpleasant duty that he has to do.


4. The Chief Minister is going to visit our town. Tom says so.
→ Tom says that the Chief Minister is going to visit our town.


5. You gave me a pen. It is a very good one.
→ The pen that you gave me is a very good one.

Practice the following sentences. Give your answers in comment section.

6. He will deceive you. It is certain.
7. I have met a man. He knows your uncle.
8. He is intelligent. He does not work hard.
9. He sent me a book. This book was a best seller.
10. This was a bright night. We could see the things around.
11. He was poor. He was not greedy.
12. You are sad. Can you tell me the reason?
13. My mother advised me so. It did accordingly.
14. He is very old. He cannot walk.
15. I shall get the job. I hope so.
16. He bought a new car. Its cost was Rs. 1,20,000.
17. He lost his balance. He fell off the bicycle.
18. I went to the station. I wanted to see him off.
19. He felt tired. He put away his books.
20. He has a large family. He must provide for them.
21. I heard the noise. I woke up.
22. He will deceive you. It is certain.
23. He was sent to prison. He had stolen money.
24. Somebody called. I did not know him.
25. He is in many difficulties. He is cheerful.
26. I did not go. He did not call me.
27. He has not done the work. I want to know the reason.