A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause to give it meaning. Subordinate clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like because, although, if, when, since, while, or relative pronouns like who, which, that.
Examples:
-
Because I was tired , I went to bed early.
(“Because I was tired” is the subordinate clause; it depends on the main clause “I went to bed early.”) -
The book that you gave me is interesting.
(“that you gave me” is the subordinate clause modifying “the book.”)
Key points:
- Cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- Adds extra information to the main clause.
- Introduced by subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns.
If you want, I can give you more examples or explain different types of subordinate clauses!
