Grammatical Links: Time, Cause, Condition, and Purpose

Understanding Grammatical Links in Subordinate Clauses

Temporal Subordinate Links (Time)

These links indicate when an action occurs, using adverbs, prepositions, or conjunctive phrases.

• Adverbs (when, while, as soon as): When I finish, my father will come looking.
• Prepositions (until, after): After starting work, I started to make money.
• Conjunctive Phrases (since, before that): Since I started working, I have to get up at six o'clock.
• Al + Infinitive (Upon + Gerund): Upon arriving home, I'm so tired.

Subordinate Links of Place

These links specify the location, often using the adverb where, alone or with a preposition.

• Adverb (where, as far as): I drove the car as far as I could.

Subordinate Links of Manner (Mode)

These links describe how an action is performed.

• Adverbs (such as, as): I went as I had come.
• Adverbial Phrases (as): I did the exercise as you explained to me.
• Conjunctive Phrases (without): He wrote without noticing his nerves.
• Prepositional Phrase (without): I did the test without help.

Comparative Links (Benchmarking)

Comparison is introduced using correlative formulas built with two elements, such as as...as, so...that, or more/less...than. The subject begins in the second clause, which serves as the link.

Correlative Formulas: as...as, so...that, more/less...than.

Causal Links (Cause and Reason)

These links introduce the reason or cause for the main action.

• Conjunctions (because, that, since, as): The members of the organization will accept them because they deserve it.
• Conjunctive Phrases (because, since, due to): Since we are not going to see each other in a long time, we must say goodbye.
• Prepositions (of, for): The wheel is a great invention for allowing us to carry different things.
• Prepositional Phrases (by dint of, because of): The teachers teach us by dint of repeating things a thousand times.

Non-Connected Causal Propositions

Causal propositions can be presented without a formal connector. In this case, the verb of the subordinate clause appears in the gerund or participle form:

• Finished the game, players went home.
• Having come all the students, we can start the class.

Consecutive Links (Result or Consequence)

These links introduce the result or consequence of the main clause.

• Correlative Formulas (so...that, such...that): Television is such a great invention that it surpasses the radio.
• Conjunctions (so, then): I agree with your decision, so I cannot complain.
• Conjunctive Phrases (therefore, consequently): I have done what you asked, therefore do not complain.

Conditional Links

These links introduce a condition necessary for the main action to occur.

• Conjunctions (if, whether, provided that):
  • If I had not claimed, it would be his new car.
  • If you do not study, you will not approve the selectivity exam.
• Prepositions: With my help, my son would volunteer.
• Conjunctive Phrases: If he could, he would be a doctor now. He can help in order not to be stingy.

Concessive Links

These links introduce an obstacle or difficulty that does not prevent the main action from happening.

• Conjunctions (although, though): Although his situation was hopeless, the boy overcame the difficulties.
• Conjunctive Phrases (even though, however much): He got what he wanted even though it was not made easy.

Final Links (Purpose)

These links indicate the purpose or goal of the action.

• Prepositions (to, for): He was examined to take the selectivity exam.
• Conjunctive Phrases (so that, in order that):
  • He went to the hospital to get healed.
  • She requested the office so that / in order to increase her salary.