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A sentence with a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses is called a complex sentence. The subordinate clause has a subject and a verb, but does not make sense without the main clause. The subordinate clause depends on the main clause for exact meaning.
Examples:
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Main Clause
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Subordinate Clause
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I left town
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before it began to rain.
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I got up
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after the alarm went off.
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He failed the exam
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because he didn’t study.
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He came home
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as soon as his wife called.
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This is the house
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where my sister lives.
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That is the man
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who interviewed me.
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1. Adjective Clause Patterns
Pattern 1
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Main clause
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Subordinate clause
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Subordinator
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Subject
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I know the girl
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whom
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you
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met here.
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This is the place
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where
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you
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take the bus.
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I like the car
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which
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he
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bought.
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Winter is the time
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when
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it
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rains a lot.
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I remember the first time
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that
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I
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soloed.
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Note: The subordinator can often be omitted.
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Pattern 2
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Main clause
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Subordinate clause
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Subject & Subordinator
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I know the girl
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who
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lives here.
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This is the car
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which
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is very expensive.
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He looked at the house
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that
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was for sale.
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Jack threw the ball
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that
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broke the window.
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Note: The subordinator cannot be omitted.
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Pattern 3
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Main
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Subordinate Clause
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Main
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Subordinator
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Subject
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The tape recorder
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which
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Jim
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bought
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is good
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The story
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that
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he
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told us
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was interesting
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The girl
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whom
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I
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know
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is French.
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The place
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where
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we
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have lunch
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is the cafeteria.
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Note: The subordinator can be omitted.
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Pattern 4
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Main
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Subordinate Clause
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Main
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Subordinator & Subject
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The student
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who
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sat behind me
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lent me a pen.
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The plane
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that
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goes to NY
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is a jet.
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The train
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which
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arrived
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came from Calif.
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Note: The subordinator cannot be omitted.
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General note to Patterns 1, 2, 3 4 above: The subordinate cannot be omitted when it is the subject of the subordinate clause.
When it is not the subject, it has a formal pronominal function but is usually not necessary to our understanding of the sentence, and for this reason is often omitted in conversation.
2. Adverb Clause Patterns
Pattern 1
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Main Clause
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Subordinate Clause
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He came to the United States
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after the war was over
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He left town in a hurry
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just before it began to rain.
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We put the TV over there
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where everyone could see it.
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The man acted strange
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as though he were nervous.
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Pattern 2
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Subordinate Clause
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Main Clause
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No matter what he says
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I will go.
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If you study
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you will pass the exam.
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Unless it rains
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we will take a walk.
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Before she left
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I saw her.
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3. Types of adverb clauses that modify the verb.
a. Time
- Since I have been in the U.S. I have seen many interesting things.
- While I was waiting for the doctor, I read an interesting magazine article.
- I left as soon as I made the arrangements.
b. Place
- He put the tape recorder where everyone could use it.
- They live where the weather is very pleasant.
c. Manner
- He spoke as though he didn’t care.
- John looked at me as if he didn’t understand.
- She worked as if she enjoyed it.
d. Purpose
- He is saving money so that he may buy a car.
- We read the book again in order that we might be prepared for the exam.
- They left early for the airport so that they wouldn’t miss the plane.
e. Cause or Reason
- He went to bed because he was sleepy.
- Since he was sick, he couldn’t come to the party.
- We didn’t go on a picnic as it rained.
f. Condition
- I’ll visit you if I have time.
- Unless our plans are changed we’ll leave for Europe next month.
- She will go with you provided that you pick her up.
g. Concession
- Although the movie was interesting, it was too long.
- We won’t be able to finish the work even if he helps us.
- Though we couldn’t afford it, we took a vacation.
4. Types of adverb clauses that modify an adjective or adverb.
a. Result
- He was so tired that he fell asleep.
- It was such a beautiful day that we decided to go swimming.
- She was so happy that she cried.
b. Degree
- Cadet Smith is as tallas you are.
- She is not so fluent as you are in English.
c. Comparison
- He works harder than most students work.
- The X-15 can fly faster than any other airplane can fly.
- She is more beautiful than her sister is.
5. Noun Clause Patterns
Note: Although considered as subordinate clauses, noun clauses may function as integral parts f the main clause, which is not complete without them, and are thus subordinate to the sentence as a whole. Not to any of its parts.
Pattern 1
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Noun Clause
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Verb
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Complement
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Who the teacher told
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Is
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obvious.
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What the student said
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was
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true.
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Why he did it
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is
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a mystery.
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That she was right
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was proved.
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Pattern 2
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Complement
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Subject
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Verb
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Noun Clause
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The captain
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said
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that I would go.
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I
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explained
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what he told me.
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The fact
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is
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that I was not done.
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He
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asked
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what she said.
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Pattern 3
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Subject
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Complement
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Noun Clause
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Verb
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Noun Clause
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What it is
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is
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what I want to know.
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Who the man told
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was
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what she asked.
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That the driver was wrong
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is
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what the lawyer proved.
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Why he took the money
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is
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want no one knows.
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6. Types of Noun Clauses
a. Subject of the verb
- What he told us is true.
- That they will lose the game is obvious.
b. Direct object of the verb
- He said that he studied every night.
- He explained why he was late.
Note: We do not say “he explained why was he late.”
c. Subjective Complement
- The truth is that he is the best student.
- That is what he told me.
- The fact is that they were absent.
d. Object of a preposition
- Give it to whoever arrives first.
- He talked about what they had done.
- They asked for what you said.
e. Appositive
- The report that the students were absent is correct.
- You made the statement that he lost the game.
- The best evidence is the factthat he passed the examination.
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