Here's a breakdown:
Independent Clause: This is the main part of the sentence, expressing a complete thought. It can stand alone.
Dependent Clause: This adds extra information to the main clause, but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on the independent clause for its meaning.
Here's an example:
* Independent Clause: *The dog barked.*
* Dependent Clause: *because he was hungry.*
Combined, they form a complete sentence with a subordinate clause:
* Complete Sentence: *The dog barked because he was hungry.*
In this case, "because he was hungry" is the dependent clause, and it provides the reason why the dog barked.
Why is subordination important?
Subordination is crucial for:
* Creating clear and concise sentences: It helps avoid choppy and repetitive writing by combining related ideas.
* Adding complexity and depth: It allows you to express more nuanced ideas by providing context and explanations.
* Guiding the reader's focus: By emphasizing the independent clause, subordination highlights the main idea and helps the reader understand the relationship between different pieces of information.
Here are some common ways to create subordinate clauses:
* Subordinating Conjunctions: Words like *because, although, since, while, if, when, before, after* introduce dependent clauses.
* Relative Pronouns: Words like *who, whom, whose, which, that* connect a dependent clause to a noun in the independent clause.
Examples:
* Because the weather was bad, we stayed inside. (Subordinating conjunction "because")
* The house, which was built in the 19th century, is now a museum. (Relative pronoun "which")
By mastering subordination, you can write more sophisticated and engaging sentences that effectively convey your ideas and captivate your reader.