Understanding Subordinate Clauses: Adjective and Adverbial Types

Substantive Clauses

Substantive clauses function as nouns or noun phrases within a sentence. Nexus: that, if, interrogative pronoun.

Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses)

Adjective clauses modify nouns, just like adjectives. The noun being modified is called the antecedent. Adjective clauses are also known as relative clauses because they are introduced by relative pronouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Links:

• Relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, that
• Relative adjectives: whose
• Relative adverbs: where, when, how, why

Types of Adjective Clauses:

Restrictive (Defining) Clauses

Restrictive clauses limit or define the meaning of the noun they modify. They are essential to the sentence's meaning.

Example: Students living far away arrived late. (This limits the statement to only those students who live far away.)

Nonrestrictive (Non-Defining) Clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses add extra information about the noun but are not essential to the sentence's core meaning. They are set off by commas, indicating a pause in pronunciation.

Example: The students, who lived far away, arrived late. (This provides additional information about the students, but the sentence would still make sense without it.)

Adverbial Clauses

Adverbial clauses function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide information about time, place, manner, reason, purpose, result, condition, or concession.

Types of Adverbial Clauses:

Location

Indicate place. Nexus: where.

Example: Jump where you want.

Time

Indicate time in relation to the main clause (before, during, or after). Nexuses: while, when, as soon as, once, after.

Example: Jump whenever you want.

Manner

Indicate how the action in the main clause is performed. Links: as, as if, as though.

Example: Jump as you want.

Comparison

These clauses compare something in the subordinate clause to something in the main clause. Correlative elements (as...as, more...than, etc.) are often used.

Reason (Cause)

Express the cause for the main action. Links: because, since, as.

Example: I awarded the prize because I had done a good job.

Result (Consecutive)

Express the effect of the main action. Links: therefore, so that, consequently.

Example: I had done a good job, so I was awarded the prize.

Purpose (Final)

Express the purpose of the main action. Links: so that, in order that, that.

Example: I have done a good job to give me the prize.

Condition

Express the condition necessary for the main action to occur. Links: if, unless, provided that, in the event that.

Example: If I do a good job, I will be awarded the prize.

Concession

Express a contrast or unexpected circumstance in relation to the main clause. Links: although, though, even though, despite the fact that.

Example: Although I did not do a good job, they granted me the award.