what is subordinate clause

what is subordinate clause

Subordinate Clause

Subordinate clauses are of three kinds:

1. Noun clause: It does the work of a noun. 

2. Adjective clause: It does the work of an adjective. 

3. Adverbial clause: It does the work of an adverb.

Read the sentences in the passage:

Kamal is a son of a poor father who works in the town. He knows that his father earns by working hard. He often goes to the place where his father works. It was on a holiday when he went to see his father. As his father was busy, he waited there. He waited in the workshop until his father stopped working. His father came out when it was quite dark. Now they began to walk fast so that they could catch the train. They walked fast lest they should miss the train. Kamal could not walk as fast as his father could. Though the road was not visible clearly, they were walking fast. They reached the station at the time when the train was just going to leave.

Ask and answer:

(i) Does this passage contain sentences with more than one clause? 

(ii) Do all the sentences have two clauses? If so, how many kinds of clauses they are? What are they?

Now let's know more about subordinate clauses: 

Noun Clause : 

A Noun Clause usually contains the conjunction 'that', or an interrogative pronoun or an interrogative adverb. The conjunction 'that' may remain expressed or understood.

Examples :

(i) I know that he is well. 

(ii) They say (that) he left home. 

(iii) That he is ill is known to us. 

(iv) I know what he wants. 

(v) I asked him if/whether he was there. 

(vi) We know why he did it. 

(vii) What he says is true. 

(viii) Your success depends on how you prepare yourself. 

(ix) When he will come is uncertain. 

(x) The news that he is dead is a rumour.

In all the sentences above, subordinate clause works as a noun.

Adjective Clause: 

An Adjective Clause contains :

(a) Relative pronouns- who, which, that, as 

(b) Relative adverbs- when, where, how, why, as, whence.

Note : In an adjective clause, the Relative pronouns or the Relative adverbs must have an antecedent. The antecedent is a noun or pronoun qualifying the relative pronoun or relative adverb.

Example : 

a. I have seen the boy who stood first in the examination.

Antecedent Relative pronoun 

b. I know the time when he will come.

Antecedent Relative pronoun

Remember that sometimes the antecedent is understood without the use of relative pronoun or relative adverb as it is in the following sentences.

a. The book (which) he bought has been lost. 

b. I have forgotten the story (that) he told me.

Find out antecedents and underline the clauses of the following sentences :

a) I know your brother who is a teacher. 

b) I went to the village where I was born. 

c) This is the book that I read yesterday. 

d) The tree that stood in front of the house has been cut down.

Read the following sentences :

a. We know who did it. 

b. Tell me when he will come.

C. I know why he did not go.

d. We know how they worked here. 

e. We saw that the man was coming.

Ask and answer:

1. Do the above sentences have antecedents? 

2. Do they belong to the class of Adjective clause? If not, to which class do they belong?

Now change them into adjective clause:

a. We know the man who did it.

b. ............

c. ... ... ... 

d. ... ... ... 

e. ...............

Adverbial Clause: 

An adverbial clause is of different kinds. They are as follows:

Adverbial clause of time. It is introduced by when, while, after, before, till, until, since etc.

Example:

(i) Wait here until I come 

(ii) He came when I was there 

(iii) Many days have passed since he came here.

Adverbial clause of place. 

It is introduced by where, wherever, whence etc. 

Example:

(i) Stay where you are. 

(ii) Go wherever you like.

Adverbial clause of cause or reason. 

It is introduced by because, as, since, that etc.

Example:

i. He will not go because he is ill. 

ii. As he was ill, he did not attend school. 

iii. Since you are ill, you should not come. 

iv. I am happy that you have passed.

Adverbial clause of purpose. 

It is introduced by that, in order that, so that, lest etc.

Example:

i. We read that we may learn. 

ii. He works hard in order that he may prosper. 

iii. Walk carefully lest you should fall down. 

iv. We should work more so that we can earn more.

Adverbial clause of result: 

It is introduced by that, so....... that, such........ that etc.

Example:

i. What have I done that you do not like me? 

ii. He is so tired that he cannot walk. 

iii. He is such a fool that you cannot rely on him.

Adverbial clause of manner: 

It is formed with 'as'.

Example:

i. Do to others as you would be done by. 

ii. It happened as I expected.

Adverbial clause of condition or supposition : 

It contains if, unless, in case, on condition, whether, provided (that), supposing (that) etc.

Example:

If I succeed, I shall help you. 

ii. I shall not come unless you invite me. 

iii. I may come in case I have time. 

iv. He will come provided he gets leave. 

v. I shall try whether I fail or succeed.

Adverbial clause of concession : 

This clause contains though, although,

even, if, etc.

Example :

i. Though he is rich, he is not happy. 

ii. Even if I fail, I shall not give up hope.

Adverbial Clause of Comparison or degree : 

This clause is introduced by so...... as, such...... as, as....... as, than, the, etc.

Example:

i. Rafique is not as tall as his brother. 

ii. He is as wise as you. 

iii. Rina is taller than Mina. 

iv. The sooner, the better.

Exercise :

Now read the passage about Kamal and his father again. Then identify different kinds of clauses in it and state to which class of clauses they belong.

Combine the following two sentences into one sentence having two clauses :

(i) Rahman found me on the way. He came to receive me. 

(ii) I read stories. These are written by Tagore. 

(iii) He is too weak. He cannot walk 

(iv) The sun set. I returned home. 

(v) The man is poor. He is honest. 

(vi) He was ill. He did not come to school.

Divide the following sentences into two clauses : 

(i) He did not come to school on account of his illness. 

(ii) I am surprised at your failure. 

(iii) We are hopeful of your success. 

(iv) I have heard about his arrival. 

(v) I met him on my way to school. 

(vi) This is my birth-place. 

(vii) He will not return till sunset. 

(viii) We know him to be a poet. 

(ix) He left at daybreak. 

(x) I do not believe his statement.

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