Sentence Subordination: Joining Ideas with Dependent Clauses
Sentence subordination is a grammatical technique where one clause depends on another clause to make a complete thought. It's like attaching a smaller, dependent idea to a bigger, independent idea.
Here's how it works:
* Independent Clause: A complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence.
* *Example: The dog barked.*
* Dependent Clause: An incomplete thought that needs to be attached to an independent clause to make sense.
* *Example: *because he saw the mailman*
To subordinate a clause, you use a subordinating conjunction:
* Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions:
* Time: when, while, after, before, since
* Cause/Effect: because, since, as, so that
* Contrast: although, though, even though, while
* Condition: if, unless, whether, in case
* Place: where, wherever
Putting it all together:
Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause
* Example: *The dog barked because he saw the mailman.*
Why Use Subordination?
* Provides clarity and emphasis: By placing a dependent clause before or after the independent clause, you can highlight a particular aspect of your writing.
* Creates complex and sophisticated sentences: Subordination adds depth and nuance to your writing style.
* Avoids choppy sentences: Combining ideas into one sentence can improve the flow and rhythm of your writing.
Examples:
* Simple Sentence: *The sun is shining.*
* Subordinate Sentence: *Because the sun is shining, we will go to the park.*
* Subordinate Sentence: *While we were eating lunch, a bird landed on the table.*
Remember: The dependent clause always comes after the subordinating conjunction. You can usually move the dependent clause around the independent clause to change the emphasis of your sentence.