How often in our speech we assume, make plans, assert the purpose for which we took this or that action, and regret missed opportunities. If you do not learn the topic of subordinate clauses, then you will not be able to conquer all the peaks of the language.
Offer - it is not just a set of words, but an independent part of speech. Each of them has its own character: some are simple, some are complex. Let's find common language with the second units of speech.
Complex Sentences or Compound Sentences Their names already indicate that they consist of two parts. Their main difference is in the interaction of the parts with each other. So, in the first type there is a main and a subordinate, in the second all relationships are built on equality. Let's compare:
The music stopped and the couples took their places. — The music stopped and the couples took their places (equal).
I thought that he would return on Monday. — I thought he would return on Monday (main and dependent).
So, we are interested in complex phrases, namely, their dependent part. First of all, let's understand what they call subordinate clauses in English. In our speech, we often use phrases that explain the main action, reveal more information, giving us the opportunity to diversify our speech. In other words, a subordinate clause means a secondary action. Let's compare:
He said something. It was very important. - He said something. This was very important (two simple ones)
What he said was very important. “What he said was very important.” (using subordinate clause)
Types of subordinate clauses
If we want to clarify subject, then we use conjunctions or allied words “who” (who), “what” (that), “that” (that), “whose” (whose), “which” (which), “how” (how), “ wether"/"if" (if). To determine the type of offer, ask a question. So, Subject Clauses answer who? What?.
How he made a mistake is not clear to us. “We don’t understand how he made the mistake.” (It’s not clear what?)
Explain English predicate can be done using the same conjunctions as the subject. But Predicative Clauses will answer the question what did you do?
This is what has he done by 6 o'clock. - That's what he did at six o'clock.
Subordinate clauses additions answer the question what?, whom? for what?. The main sentence is connected through the same unions or in a non-union way. Subordinate clauses definitions answer what question? which? and are introduced using the conjunctions “who”, “whose”, “which”, “that”, “whom”, “when”, “how”.
She smiled at what I said . - She smiled at what I said.
I know the girl who has worn the prize . — I know the girl who won the first prize.
Subordinate clauses in English characterizing circumstances of the action, are the largest group.
- Adverbal Clauses place(places) answer questions where? Where? where? and are joined by the conjunctions “where”, “from where”, “wherever” (wherever, wherever). Adverbal Clauses time can be recognized by the conjunctions “when”, “after”, “till/untill”, “while”, “since”, “by the time”, “before”, “whenever” (whenever). Adverbal Clauses of manner(mode of action) adjoin the main idea using the conjunctions “as if”, “as”, “as though” and answer the questions how? how?. The great language of exceptions—English—makes us think here too. Thus, subordinate clauses have features when expressing the future tense.
They went to the street where the famous writer was killed . — They approached the place where the famous writer was killed.
I haven't written to him since we left the school . “I haven’t written to him since we left school.”
He looked at me as if he saw me for the first time. “He looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time.
- Adverbal Clauses reason(reasons) are introduced into a complex sentence with the conjunctions “because”, “since” (meaning since), “as” (since) and answer the question why?. Adverbal Clauses purpose answer the question why? for what purpose? and are joined by the conjunctions “that”, “in order that”, “so that” - so that and the union “lest” - so as not to. The infinitive is most often used to explain the main action.
As we hadn’t any food we couldn’t continue our trip. — Since we had no more food, we could not continue our journey.
She went to England to learn English. — She went to England to study English.
She sent her children into the garden in order to work a little. — She sent the children to kindergarten to do a little work.
- Adverbal Clauses result(consequences) express the result of an action from the main clause. Subordinate clauses of this type are adjacent to the main one using the conjunctions “so that”, “that”, “so” (so). This type is not as simple as the others. When connecting the main and secondary parts, do not forget about the coordination of tenses.
He spoke for such a long time that we began to think that he never stop. “He talked for so long that we began to think he would never finish.”
- Adverbal Clauses concession(concessions) answer the question no matter what? and are joined by the conjunctions “though”, “however” (no matter how), “whoever” (whoever), “whatever” (no matter what), “even if” (even if). Adverbal Clauses condition(conditions)- “if”, “unless”, “in case”.
However rich people are they always want to make more money. - No matter how rich people are, they still want to earn even more money.
If he cleans his shoes it means he is having a date. — If he shines his shoes, it means he has a date.
Note: Conditional sentences have several types that require careful study.
Despite large number, subordinate clauses in English are quite easy to understand and remember. Determine the main idea and explanatory circumstances, pose a question, look at the connecting conjunction - and you have found the answer.
Adverbial clauses perform functions in various circumstances. They answer the following questions when?- When?, why?- Why?, where?– where?, where?, how?- How?
By meaning, subordinate clauses are divided into:
- adverbial sentences of time,
- adverbial clauses of place,
- adverbial clauses of reason,
- circumstantial sentences of investigation,
- adverbial sentences of manner of action and comparison,
- circumstantial concessionary offers,
- adverbial sentences of purpose,
- adverbial clauses conditions.
Please note that adverbial clauses are separated by a comma only if they stand before the main clause.
Subordinate clauses of time. Adverbial Clauses of Time
1. Subordinate clauses of time
- when? - When?
- since when? – since when?
- how long? – how long?
- when - when;
- whenever - whenever;
- while – while, when, while;
- as – when, while;
- after – after;
- before - before;
- till, until – until, until...not;
- as soon as - for now;
- since – since then, etc.;
Examples: I learned to read when I was about 5 years old.– I learned to read when I was about 5 years old.
Before it grew dark, we had reached home. “Before it got dark, we got home. (We separated the adverbial clause with a comma, since it comes before the main clause.)
2. B subordinate clause of time The verb in the future tense is never used.
Remember: replaced by , replaced by , and replaced by .
Examples:When they return home, she'll tell them the news. “When they return home, she will tell them the news.”
Subordinate clauses of place. Adverbial Clauses of Places
1. Subordinate clauses of place answer the following questions:
- where? – where?/where?
- from where - where from?
They are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions:
- where – where, where;
- wherever – wherever, wherever;
Examples:Wherever I meet his brother, he is always troubled. – Wherever I meet his brother, he is always worried.
This is the house where I live in. - This is the house where (in which) I live.
Subordinate clauses of reason. Adverbial Clauses of Cause
1. Subordinate clauses of reason answer the question:
- why? - Why?
They are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions:
- because – because;
- as – since;
- fore – since;
- now that – now when, since.
Examples: There were many people in the streets because it was a holiday. – There were a lot of people on the street because it was a holiday.
We decided to camp there as it was too dark to go on. “We decided to set up camp there because it was too dark to go any further.
Subordinate clauses of manner of action and comparison. Adverbial Clauses of Manner and Comparison
1. Subordinate clauses of manner of action answer the question:
How? – how?/in what way?
They are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions:
- as – how;
- as if (as though) – as if, as if;
- that - what.
Examples: Pronounce the word as I do. - Say the word like I (do).
2. In comparative sentences introduced by conjunctions as if, as though, used Subjunctive II.
Examples: Hey as if he were starving for months. “He ate as if he had been starving for months.”
She talks about Paris as though she had been there herself. – She talks about Paris as if she had been there in person.
3. K subordinate clauses of manner of action include subordinate clauses of comparison, they are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions:
- than – than;
- as...as – just...as/same...as;
- not so...as - (not) so/such...as;
Examples: It's not so bad as her mother thinks it is. “It’s not as bad as her mother thinks.”
Subordinate clauses of consequence. Adverbial Clauses of Result
1. Subordinate clauses of consequence express a consequence arising from the content of the main sentence. They are connected to the main sentence with a conjunction so that, such that - so, in colloquial speech the conjunction is often used so.
Examples: They had such a fierce dog that no one dared to go near their house. “They had such a fierce dog that no one dared to pass by their house.
The weather was so warm that I did not wear a jacket. – The weather was so warm that I didn’t wear a jacket.
Subordinate clauses are concessive. Adverbial Clauses of Concession
1. Concessive subordinate clauses indicate the circumstance contrary to which the action of the main sentence is performed. They are connected to the main sentence by conjunctions:
- thought (although) – although;
- in spite of the fact that - despite the fact that;
- however - no matter how;
- whoever – whoever;
- whatever - whatever;
- whichever – whichever;
- no matter what - no matter what;
- no matter how - no matter how, etc.
Examples: Don't change your plans whatever happens. – Don’t change your plans, no matter what happens.
Although I like insects, I do not wish to study entomology. – Although I love insects, I don't want to study entomology.
In spite of having no qualifications, he got the job. Despite the fact that he had no qualifications, he got the job.
Subordinate clauses of purpose. Adverbial Clause of Purpose
1. Subordinate clauses of purpose indicate the purpose for which the action of the main sentence is performed. Subordinate clauses of purpose answer the following questions:
- what for? – why?/for what?
- for what purpose? – for what purpose?
They are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions:
- so that, so, in order that - so that, in order to;
- in order that – (in order) to.
Union so that– the most common, and in colloquial speech the conjunction is often used so.
The predicate of these sentences is expressed by verbs may (might) and should + infinitive without to. This design is translated.
May (might) used when the predicate of the subordinate clause has a connotation of possibility. Should used when the shade of possibility is absent.
Examples: He told us to get into the back of the car so that we could talk. “She told us to sit in the back seat of the car so we could talk.”
She gave me the key so that I could open the door. “She gave me the key so I could open the door.”
Subordinate clauses conditions. Adverbial Clauses of Condition
1. Subordinate clauses conditions connected to the main sentence using conjunctions:
- if – if (the most common conjunction);
- in case - in case;
- supposing (that), suppose (that) - if, suppose (that);
- unless - if... not;
- provided (that), providing (that), on condition (that) – provided that, provided that.
Examples: I wouldn't do it if I were you. “I wouldn’t do this if I were you.”
I'll be at the flat all evening in case you should change your mind. “I’ll be at my house all evening in case you change your mind.”
Please note that it is possible to consider subordinate clauses in detail only in the context of the whole. Detailed information about conditional sentences you can see .
As is known, the proposal ( sentence) is a combination of words that expresses a specific complete thought. Being the minimum unit of speech, a sentence can be as simple as ( simple), and complex in its structure. Everything is in the article of the same name on our blog. And if you missed something or didn’t notice something while studying them, read the article again.
From the material in the article you will learn that complex sentences can be compound in composition ( compound) and complex ( complex). The difference between them is that in the first all parts of the sentence are equal, and in the second there is a main sentence ( principal clause) and one or more subordinate clauses ( subordinate clauses), which explain it.
Subordinate clauses in English are introduced into a complex sentence with the help of , of which there are not so few. The main ones are that, because, as, if, whether, when, since, after, before, till, unless, though and others.
Types of subordinate clauses in English
Since subordinate clauses in English explain the main thing, they act as various members of a sentence, hence their types and names. So, subordinate clauses are:
- Subject clauses (the subject clause), introduced by unions that(What), if / whether(li), who(Who), what(What), which(which), when(When), where(Where), how(How), why(Why).
Whether we met there or does not mean anything now. “Whether we met or not doesn’t matter now.”
What she told me yesterday turned out to be the truth. “What she told me yesterday turned out to be true.”
- Predicate clauses(predicative – the predicative clause), which uses the same conjunctions as the previous subordinate clause in English.
The question is whether he knows about her betrayal or not. “The question is whether he knows about her betrayal or not.”
The problem was that he treated us as people unfamiliar. “The problem was that he treated us like strangers.
- Additional clauses(the object clause), which are attached to the main clause using conjunctions that, if / whether, what, who, which, where, how, why.
He told us that he had seen us buying a bouquet of flowers. – He said that he saw us buying a bouquet of flowers.
I don't understand what I must do now. – I don’t understand what I should do now.
- Subordinate clauses (the attributive clause), and to work with them you will need such unions as who(which), whose(whose), which / that(which), where(Where), why(Why).
The house where we once lived has been burned. “The house we once lived in burned down.
The woman who helped us was a doctor from our local hospital. “The woman who helped us was a doctor from our district hospital.
- Subordinate adverbial clauses (the adverbial clause) which have their own classification.
First of all, this subordinate clauses of place (the adverbial clause of place), which, based on the name, require only conjunctions where(where, where) and wherever(wherever, wherever).
The dog sleeps wherever he wants. - The dog sleeps wherever he wants.
Do you know where he plays football? – Do you know where he plays football?
Then follow such subordinate clauses in English as adverbial clauses of time (the adverbial clause of time). Accordingly, they require conjunctions that define time parameters: when(When), after(after), before(before) till(until), while(while), since(since), as soon as(as soon as).
She was still crying when he entered the room. “She was still crying when he entered the room.
By the time you get married, I will have a family with three children. - By the time you get married, I will already have a family and three children.
Next, we select a group such as subordinate clauses circumstances (the adverbial clause of reason) and explain them by conjunctions because(because), as / since(because).
I called you because I needed money. - I called you because I needed money.
He can’t go to the party because he caught cold. He can't go to the party because he has a cold.
Smoothly move on to adverbial clause of purpose (the adverbial clause of purpose). Remembering introductory conjunctions that(to), so that / in order that(in order to) lest(so as not to...).
She must speak louder so that everyone could hear her. “She must speak louder so that everyone can hear her.”
He works hard in order that he can afford himself to buy a house of his dreams. – He works hard to afford to buy his dream house.
Of course, we don’t forget about such subordinate clauses in English as adverbial clauses (the adverbial clause of condition), based on unions if(If), provided that / on condition that(assuming that).
If you find the book I asked, I will fulfill my promise. “If you find the book I asked for, I will fulfill my promise.”
I won't be free unless you tell me about this. “I won’t be free until you tell me so.”
There are still subgroups of subordinate adverbial clauses course of action (the adverbial clause of manner), comparisons (the adverbial clause of comparison) And concessions (the adverbial clause of concession). The first and second subgroups of subordinate clauses in English need conjunctions as(How), as if / as though(as if). But for the third one they are suitable though(Although), no matter how(whatever it is) no matter what(whatever it is, anyway).
She is looking at her mother as if she doesn’t recognize her. “She looks at her mother as if she doesn’t recognize her.
He reads as quickly as he can. – He reads as fast as he can.
No matter what he says, I do not believe him. “No matter what he says, I don’t believe him.”
That's how many types subordinate clauses in English formed. Although, despite their number, they are all understandable and not at all difficult. You just have to remember the conjunctions and features of each group of subordinate clauses. And with the help of this information you will be able to quickly navigate such complex topic, How .
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
This topic is one of the most serious in English grammar. Learning a language on initial stage, you can do without this knowledge for some time. But the higher your level, the more you will have a desire to diversify and complicate your speech, making it closer to what native speakers speak. At this point, there will be a need to study the conditions: their meaning, varieties, methods of formation and examples of use. This article will help with that.
Where are they used?
In English, as in Russian, all sentences are divided into simple and complex. And the latter, in turn, can be complex and complex. The first type does not create great difficulties when studying the grammar of a foreign language. But in the case of the second, there are some nuances.
Consider a typical one in English:
If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk - If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk.
In this case, you can easily see two components:
- I'll go for a walk - main clause;
- if (when) the weather is fine -subordinate clause condition clause or time clause.
What do they mean?
In the example discussed above, the main sentence expresses the thought: “What will happen?”, and the subordinate clause expresses the thought “Under what condition (or at what time, when) will this happen?”
Such sentences express an inextricable semantic and grammatical connection main and subordinate parts. In general, subordinate constructions can express the most different meanings: mode of action and degree, place, time, condition, cause, effect, purpose, comparison, concession. But in this article we will talk only about two types, expressing situations of time and conditions.
In speech, such constructions express logical, spatiotemporal and cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, the advanced learner of English needs to understand when to use clauses and clauses.
Used conjunctions
It is characteristic that in complex sentences main part invariably one, but there may be several subordinate clauses. All of them are directly dependent (logical and grammatical) on the main component and are attached to it with the help of various conjunctions and allied expressions. Here are the most common ones:
- if - if;
- in case - in case;
- when - when;
- while - while, while;
- as soon as (as long as) - as soon as;
- until - not yet, until;
- after - after;
- before - before;
- unless (if not) - if not.
Please note: the conjunction used does not always help determine A. This is often necessary to apply the grammatical rule discussed later in the article. To accurately confirm that this is a sentence with a subordinate clause or time, you need to ask a question to the subordinate part.
Remember also that a sentence can begin with either a main clause or a subordinate clause. Is it hard not to get confused? Just pay attention to which part of the sentence the conjunction is in (one or another from the list presented above).
What is a subordinate tense?
IN this type refers to the part that is subordinate to the main one, while answering the questions: “When?”, “How long?”, “How long ago?”, “Since when?”, “Until when?” etc.
To attach subordinate clauses to the main part, conjunctions are used: when, after, before, until and others with a similar meaning. However, in order to make sure that it is the meaning of time that is being expressed, and not some other, it is most reliable to ask a question.
What is a subordinate clause?
Such grammatical constructions answer the question: “Under what conditions?” They are quite varied and are joined by conjunctions if, in case, unless, etc. But it does not always guarantee that the meaning of the condition is realized in the sentence. Because in many cases, the phrase, for example, with if, is translated not “if”, but “whether”. Compare:
- I’ll come if they invite me - I’ll come if they invite me.
- I don’t know if they will invite me - I don’t know if they will invite me.
Subordinate clauses in English are found in sentences that take place in the past, present or future tense. In addition, the conditions put forward themselves have a gradation: real, unlikely and unrealistic. This is best understood through examples.
Type I
The subordinate conditions belonging to the first type describe real fact. That is, what actually took place in the past, present or future. At the same time, the tense forms of the predicate verb in the main and subordinate parts usually match.
This can be clearly seen in the examples.
- Past tense:
If the weather was fine, he went for a walk - If the weather was good, he went for a walk.
- Present tense:
If the weather is fine, he goes for a walk - If the weather is fine, he goes (goes) for a walk.
- Future tense:
If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk - If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk.
Only in the last example can you notice that the two parts complex sentence do not agree in time (the subordinate clause is in the form of the present, and the main clause is in the form of the future). This did not happen by chance, but as a result of a special grammatical rule to which subordinate clauses and conditions are subject. The details will be explained below.
For now, let's look at the manifestations of the second and third types of subordinate conditions. They are no longer revealed in three grammatical tenses, but acquire the meaning “if, then...”. Moreover, such a hypothetical situation may relate to both the present day and the past.
Type II
When the speaker believes that the reality of fulfilling the condition is quite small, then a separate speech construction is used. Drawing an analogy with the Russian language, this is the subjunctive mood (“if only ...”). Example:
If the weather was fine, I would go for a walk - If the weather was good, I would go (went) for a walk.
Please note that the situation described is happening at the time the person is talking about it. This is not regret about yesterday.
To construct a grammatically correct statement of this type, you need:
- in the subordinate clause, put the predicate verb in the Past Simple form;
- in the main part use would + (but without the particle to).
III type
If compliance this condition(and the commission of an action) is considered by the speaker as completely impossible, a subordinate condition of a different type comes into play. The impossibility of realizing such a situation is due to the fact that the action has already taken place in the past, and the speaker is not able to change its result. And therefore, a complex with a subordinate condition of this type usually expresses regret and lamentation about the current circumstances.
If the weather had been fine yesterday, we wouldn’t have stayed home. In that case we would have gone for a walk - If the weather had been good yesterday, we would not have stayed at home. In that case, we would go for a walk.
But there may be another, opposite in meaning, situation. The person thinks about what could have happened, but does not feel regret about it. For example:
If I had overslept, I would have been late - If I had overslept, I would have been late.
Please note that the entire sentence refers to and expresses the impossibility of performing a certain action precisely then, in the past.
The following grammatical structure is formed:
- in the subordinate clause, the predicate verb is put in the Past Perfect form;
- in the main part would + Perfect Infinitive is used.
What tense is used in subordinate clauses?
This question is very serious. A little earlier in the article it was mentioned that it is important to determine the type of subordinate clause. And in this matter, it is necessary to focus not on alliances, but on the questions asked.
The fact is that there is a certain grammatical rule. It is related to the type of clause and the use of present/future tense in it.
If subordinate clauses answer the questions: “Under what condition will the action be performed?” or “At what time (when) will this happen?”, then they express, respectively, a condition or a time. In these types of clauses you cannot use the future tense (with the verb will). The present is used instead. Even when the situation clearly relates to the future and it is at this time that it is translated into Russian.
Compare:
- She’ll make a cake when you come.
- If I get this job, I will be happy.
As is easy to see, in the latter case the example given refers to a variety - subordinate condition of type I. This rule does not apply to the other two types of conditional clauses, since they contain completely different constructions for expressing grammatical meaning.
In many situations, complex sentences allow you to better express the thoughts of the speaker. Subordinate units join with the help of special unions. The main varieties are subordinate tenses and subordinate conditions.
The English language presents certain grammar rules regarding the use of such structures. In order to reliably learn them, you need to thoroughly understand the theory once, and then perform as many exercises as possible so that an example of correct use is fixed in memory. Subsequently, when the need arises, it will automatically appear in speech.
In a complex sentence, the subordinate clause performs a number of functions: adverbials, nominal parts compound predicate, subject, definition and object. Subordinate clauses in English are introduced into the composition complex sentence. Conjunctions are used for this that, if, before, because, as, unless, though till, when, since, after etc.
Classification of subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses are divided into many types.
1. Subordinate clauses (Subject Clause). They act as the subject of a sentence and answer the questions who? What? Subjects are connected by conjunctions that, whether, i f, who (whom), whose, what, which, when, where,how, why.
Where I live is a wonderful place. (Where I live is wonderful)
How he behaves drives me mad. (His behavior is driving me crazy).
2. Predicative clauses. These sentences perform the functions of the nominal part of a compound predicate. Predicates are connected by the same conjunctions as subjects, and answer the question: what is the subject? (what is it? what is the subject?).
The problem is whether they are able to study. (The problem is whether they can learn)
The result was that we hadn’t got any presents. (As a result, we did not receive any gifts)
3. Additions (Object Clause). In a sentence they serve as a direct or prepositional indirect object. These sentences answer the question what?
They said that they did all the tasks. (They said they did all the tasks)
I was told that I was a strange person. (They told me I'm a strange person)
4. Definitions (Attributive Clause). In a sentence, they perform the functions of definition and answer the questions: what? which? whose? In turn, they are connected by unions who, whose, which, that, where, when, why.
I like the song that I heard in the club. (I like the song I heard in the club)
He wears the coat which he bought long ago. (He is wearing a coat that he bought a long time ago)
5. Circumstances (Adverbial Clause). These sentences perform the functions of various circumstances. When do they answer questions? Where? Where? Why? How? etc.
In the English language, this kind of sentence, which performs the functions of adverbials, is divided into 8 types according to their meaning:
- time;
- places;
- reasons;
- consequences;
- mode of action and comparison;
- concessionary;
- goals;
- conditions.
Time
They are connected to each other by alliances when, while, as, as soon as, since, till, untill, after and others.
I won't eat until you join me. (I won't eat until you join me)
You haven’t slept since morning. (You haven't slept since this morning)
Places
The main clause is connected with conjunctions where, wherever.
She leaves where the forest grows the biggest. (She lives where the thickest forest grows)
Wherever I lived, I was always satisfied. (Wherever I lived, I was always happy)
Reasons
They are connected to the main clause by conjunctions because, since, as, now, for.
I caught a cold because I was reckless. (I caught a cold because I was careless)
Since you study well, you may get some privileges. (Since you are a good student, you can get some privileges)
Consequences
Connect with the main clause with a conjunction so that(so... that), instead of which so is often used in colloquial speech.
I was a good boy so I can get sweets. (I was a good boy so I can get sweets)
Mode of action and comparison
I'll think like want to. (I'll think the way I want)
Comparative clauses with the main clause are connected by conjunctions than, as…as, not so...as, the…the.
He is as handsome as his father. (He is as handsome as his father)
Concessive
United by unions though, although, however, whoever and others.
She was never in love though many boys like her. (She never fell in love, although many guys liked her)
Goals
Conjunctions are used so that, in order that, lest.
Do this work right now so that we may start another work. (Do this work now so we can start other work)
Terms
Conjunctions are used if, in case, unless, provided (that) and others.
If we try better, we’ll finish the work by noon. (If we try harder, we will finish the work by noon)
Subordinate clauses in English differ in their functions in a sentence and meaning.
