SubordinationIdea Dependency

Clause

Sentence

Compound

Sentence

Complex Sentence

Review

A group of words where a subject-verb relationship is present

A group of words with at least one subject-verb relationship and a complete

message

A group of two or more simple sentences linked by semicolons or coordinators

A group of two simple sentences linked by a subordinator

?

?

I had a migraine.

I lacked sleep.

Subordination

I had a migraine because I lacked sleep.

Because

I had a migraine.

I lacked sleep.

Subordination

In coordination, ideas are of equal importance. ◦ Co: together

In subordination, things are different. ◦ Sub: ?

“under” ◦ One idea in subordination takes precedence over

the other. ◦ The subordinator becomes part of the dependent or

subordinate clause. ◦ Subordinate clauses are often adjective or

adverbial clauses.

Coordination vs Subordination

I had a migraine because I lacked sleep.◦ There are two clauses: The independent or main

clause… I had a migraine.

◦ And the dependent clause: because I lacked sleep

We discussed last quarter that a dependent clause cannot stand on its own. ◦ “Because I lacked sleep” does not make sense on

its own although “I lacked sleep.” does. ◦ The presence of the subordinator tells us the clause

gets its meaning from another clause.

Subordination

Depending on the case, we may or may not switch the sentences in Coordination:◦ I am hungry, and she is craving pizza. ◦ She is craving pizza, and I am hungry.

In this case, we can switch the sentences around without trouble.◦ She had scraped her knee badly, yet she continued

to run.◦ She continued to run, yet she had scraped her knee

badly. In this case, however, the second example

makes no sense at all.

Subordination

In subordination, however, we can always switch around the order of the clauses.◦ I had a migraine because I lacked sleep. ◦ Because I lacked sleep, I had a migraine.

Note the presence of the comma in the second example.

The comma indicates where one clause ends and the other begins.

In the first example, which comes first? Because the subordinate or dependent clause comes

first in the second example, we separate it from the first with a comma.

Subordination

aka Subordinators Far more numerous than coordinators Like coordinators, subordinators are grouped

according to their function. Adjective clauses:

◦ Inserted into the main clause, usually after the noun it modifies. The boss, who was very angry, scolded Procopio.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Adverbial clauses: ◦ Usually added before or after the main clause. ◦ Time: When, before, after, since

After you complete your counter check-in requirements, proceed to Gate 13.

◦ Reason: because, since I set off the airport’s metal detectors because I had

metal plates in my knees. ◦ Condition: provided that

I will let you pass provided that you present your ID.◦ Concession: even though

Even though the trip was tiring, I enjoyed it.

Subordinating Conjunctions

What those monsters did in Maguindanao recently was utterly shocking.◦ Where is the subject in this sentence? ◦ How many clauses are there?

There are two: “What those monsters did in Maguindanao” [The massacre] was utterly shocking.

◦ The first clause takes the place of the noun.

Noun Clauses

Diagram: Noun Clause (subject)

was shocking

utterl

y

they did What

in

Maguindanao

We wonder why people do these things.◦ How many clauses are here? ◦ There are again two clauses: ◦ The noun clause appears as the direct object.

“We wonder [the reason].” “Why people do these things.”

Noun Clauses

Diagram: Noun Clause (direct object)

We wonder

people do thingsthese

why

Noun clauses take the place of entire nouns and are inserted directly into the sentence.

We do not use a comma if the sentence does not call for it (there are exceptions).

Noun clauses can function as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, subject complements, and objects of the preposition.

Noun clauses begin with relative pronouns: ◦ who ◦ what ◦ when ◦ where◦ why◦ How◦ Whatever ◦ Etc.

Noun Clauses

You should bring me to where she is staying. ◦ How many clauses are here? ◦ There are again two clauses: ◦ The noun clause .

You: subject should bring: verb me: Direct object The presence of the preposition “to” marks this

usage. where she is staying: Object of the preposition

Object of the Preposition

Diagram: Noun Clause (Object of the Preposition)

You should bring

she is staying

where

me

to

What are indirect objects?◦ Indirect objects are recipients of a direct object or

otherwise participants in the action.◦ They sent him a postcard.◦ Cf. “They sent a postcard.” and “They sent him.”

The corrupt politician gave whoever promised to vote for him 200 pesos. ◦ In this case, you can clearly see that:

“200 pesos” is the direct object. “whomever promised to vote for him” is the indirect

object marked by a noun clause.

Indirect Object

Diagram: Noun Clause (Indirect Object)

politician gave

Whoever promised

pesosThe

corrupt

200

tovote

for him

A knight who wishes to slay a dragon must take the appropriate precautions.◦ Note the lack of commas.

Lady Roxalane, who wishes to slay the dragon, is taking the appropriate precautions. ◦ Note the presence of commas. ◦ Commas are used to separate clauses only when

the subject (in this case, Lady Roxalane) is a definite person.

◦ The first example refers to an indefinite person.

Adjective Clauses

These take the place of adjectives and modify nouns and pronouns in complex sentences.

Like noun clauses, adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns, although the –ever pronouns are not used in this case◦ They cannot truly connect themselves to the noun

or pronoun they are modifying.

Adjective Clauses

Before her sister was married, Louisa was already missing.

She looked for work when she arrived at the city.

Louisa realized that she had made a mistake as soon as she called out Paul’s name.

After her family rejected her, Louisa returned to Mrs. Peacock.◦ What function do these underlined clauses have?

Adverbial Clauses

Adverbial clauses of time tell us when the verb in the main clause happened.

Common subordinators for time include:◦ Before◦ After◦ When◦ Whenever◦ As◦ as soon as◦ Then◦ Since◦ Now◦ Once◦ while

Adverbial Clauses: Time

Take note that “When” can also be used for adjective clauses:

Paul was surprised when he saw Louisa. The exact time when Louisa escaped

remains unknown. ◦ Which is the adverbial clause and which is the

adjective clause?◦ The first one is adverbial, the second is an

adjective clause.

Adverbial Clauses: Time

Gandalf held off the Balrog where he stood. Which is the main clause?

◦ Gandalf held off the Balrog. Which is the dependent clause?

◦ where he stood What does the dependent clause tell us?

What question does it answer?

Adverbial Clauses

This answers the question “where” and tells us the place where the verb in the main clause happened.

Subordinators:◦ Where◦ Wherever

WARNING: Similar to noun clauses with the object of the preposition and adjective clauses. ◦ Bob took me to where she is.◦ We entered the theater where Lincoln was shot. ◦ Gandalf fought the Balrog where he stood.

Adverbial Clauses: Place

Adverbial Clauses: Place

Gandalf fought

he stood

Balrog

where

the

Adjective Clause mod. a Place

We entered

Lincoln was shot

theater

where

The adventurers ran from the fire giants as if there was no tomorrow.

Adverbial Clauses

Adverbial Clauses of manner tend to use IDIOMS.

◦ “She danced as if there was no tomorrow.” ◦ “He sang as if his life depended on it.”

What does this idiom mean? “To the best of one’s ability”

Adverbial Clauses: Manner

This answers which question?◦ How

Subordinators:◦ As if ◦ As ◦ As though

WARNING: Similar to adverbial clauses of time. She collapsed as she saw her burning house.

◦ Time

She danced as a seasoned dancer would. ◦ Manner

Adverbial Clauses: Manner

The speaker chose the other road because it wanted wear.

He was sorry since he could not travel both and remain the same person.

He had to make the choice for time was running out on him.

And he has no regrets as he believes he made the right choice.

Adverbial Clauses

The underlined clauses are adverbial clauses of reason. The adverbial clause or reason uses the following subordinators:◦ because◦ Since◦ For◦ as

 Take note that since is also used as a subordinator for time, and as is also used for both time and manner. To distinguish the functions of these subordinators, always remember that they answer to a specific question.

 He left since no one told him about the delay. (answers the question why and thus is an adverbial clause of reason)

She loved him since she first saw him. (answers the question when and thus is an adverbial clause of time)

Adverbial Clauses: Reason

He sent the servants away so that no one would witness his plans.

He kept on mentioning his enemy’s name in order to remind him of his mission.

Adverbial Clauses

The underlined clauses are adverbials of purpose.◦ Reason: justifications. ◦ Purpose: intentions.

The common subordinators used for the adverbial clause of purpose are: ◦ so that, ◦ in order (usually followed by an infinitive)

“In order to defeat his enemies, the adventurer practiced day and night.”

Adverbial Clauses: Purpose

Unless Eowyn defeats the Witch King, we will lose the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

What is the purpose of the subordinate clause?

Adverbial Clauses

Unless Eowyn defeats the Witch King, we will lose the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

Is the main clause absolute? (Will it always happen?)

The main clause will happen if the subordinate clause (the condition) is not met.

This is an adverbial clause of condition. Subordinators:

◦ Provided that◦ Unless◦ If ◦ On condition that

Adverbial Clauses

Problem: Subordinators do not always work the same way.◦ Unless Eowyn defeats the Witch King, we will lose the

battle. ◦ If Eowyn defeats the Witch King, we will lose the battle. ◦ Provided that Eowyn defeats the Witch King, we will lose

the battle. ◦ What is the difference? These are all clauses of condition,

but there is a significant difference in their logic.◦ OTHERS: If [condition] happens, [main clause] will

happen◦ UNLESS: If [condition] does not happen, [main clause]

will happen

Adverbial Clauses: Condition

◦ It does not matter if the main clause is negatively stated—the logic is the same:

◦ If Eowyn defeats the Witch King, we will not lose the battle.

◦ Unless Frodo destroys the One Ring, we will not have victory.

Adverbial Clauses: Condition

Although you come against me with hellfire, demon, I come against you with the wrath of my God!

Adverbial Clauses: Last!

Even if you attack me with all your hordes, you cannot defeat me!

What is the purpose of the subordinate clause?

Adverbial Clauses: Last!

The subordinate clause tells us that there is an unexpected result: We would expect that the subordinate clause would prevent the main clause from happening, but it happens anyway.

This is called a clause of concession. To concede means to surrender. Subordinators:

◦ even though, ◦ even if, ◦ though,◦ Although

Adverbial Clauses: Last!