Mastering Subordinate Clauses: Types and Syntactic Function

Mastering Subordinate Clause Syntax

Subordinate clauses are essential components of complex sentences. They are classified based on their function within the main clause: substantive, adjective, or adverbial.

Substantive Subordinate Clauses

These clauses function like a noun phrase within the main sentence:

• Subject: Introduced by a subordinating nexus (what, who, etc.) or without a connector using an infinitive.
• Direct Object (CD): Introduced by a subordinating link (which, if, interrogative pronoun or adverb, whatever), using the infinitive, or by direct speech (e.g., A said: "B").
• Complement (Supplement): Starts with "preposition + which" or "preposition + infinitive."
• Attribute: Starts with that, sometimes followed by an infinitive.
• Indirect Object (CI): Always starts with "a + relative pronoun."
• Agent Complement (C. Agent): Always starts with "by + relative pronoun."
• Nominal Complement (CN) or Adjective Complement (C. Adj.): Introduced by a preposition (usually "of") + it, and follows the noun complement.

Adjective Subordinate Clauses

The link is a relative pronoun or adverb functioning within the sentence, referring to an antecedent. Types include:

• Restrictive (Specified): Not separated by any punctuation marks from its antecedent.
• Non-Restrictive (Explanatory): Separated from its antecedent by punctuation (usually a comma).

Adverbial or Circumstantial Subordinate Clauses

These clauses modify the verb, expressing circumstances like time, place, or manner:

• Time: Introduced by a temporal adverb (When, as, before, then, as soon as) or with (at, before, after) + infinitive.
• Place: Introduced by the transposing adverb "where."
• Manner: Introduced by an adverb of manner (such as, under, so...) or without + infinitive.
• Causal (Cause of the main action): Introduced by because, since, as, given that, etc.
• Consecutive (Result following the primary action): Introduced by then, therefore, consequently, so... that, much... that, so that.
• Purpose (Main objective): Introduced by to, in order to, so that, to + infinitive or as + infinitive.
• Conditional (A condition for the main action): Introduced by if, how, when, provided that, of course, if only... or using the + infinitive.
• Comparative (The subordinate clause is the second term of comparison): Introduced by as, like, so... as, just as... than.
• Concessive (Obstacle opposing the main clause, but not preventing its realization): Introduced by though, although, by + adverb + that, in spite of that... or in spite of + infinitive, even + gerund.

Grammaticalized Structures and Predicative Verbs

Grammaticalized Structure: Word_x + Subordinate Clause (Word_x)

Example: Say what you want, you will not go out tonight.

Predicative Verbs:

• Ser (To Be): Acts as a predicative verb when it is synonymous with to occur or to happen.
• Estar (To Be): Synonymous with to exist or to remain.
• Parecer (To Seem): Used with the meaning of opinion or belief.