What is a subordinate clause?

Subordinate clause definition

Subordinate clauses are also known as dependent clauses because they depend upon an independent clause in the same sentence. They complement a sentence’s main independent clause by adding extra meaning, but if you take that independent clause away, the dependent or subordinate clause doesn’t read as a complete sentence. This clause can function as an adverb, an adjective, or a noun.

How to spot and test for a subordinate clause

You’ll often see subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions, which are words added to link independent and dependent clauses together. Subordinate clauses can also start with relative pronouns. Knowing what subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns look like are the first steps to identifying subordinate clauses.

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You’ll often see subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions, which are words added to link independent and dependent clauses together. Subordinate clauses can also start with relative pronouns. Knowing what subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns look like are the first steps to identifying subordinate clauses.

Here are some common examples of subordinating conjunctions:

• after
• as
• because
• before
• due to
• for
• hence
• once
• provided that
• since

And here are some common examples of relative pronouns:

• that
• which
• who
• whom
• whichever
• whomever
• whose

When you see these words in a sentence, they most likely precede a subordinate clause. Find the subordinate conjunction in this example:

“The cat ran toward the kitchen when Jordan opened the tuna can.”

Did you find it? It’s the word “when.” You know there’s probably a subordinate clause around. But where?

Now, let’s test the sentence for subordinate clauses. Cover up one of the clauses up with your hand and read the remaining sentence. If it makes sense with a without the other section, it is an independent clause. If it doesn’t make sense without the other section, it is a dependent clause. Try it out with this example:

“The cat ran toward the kitchen when Jordan opened the tuna can.“

Cover up “The can ran towards the kitchen,” with your hand. Does the rest of the sentence make sense on its own? “When Jordan opened the tuna can” has a subject noun and verb, but it does not make sense on its own. That cues you in to the fact that it’s a subordinate clause.

Why does all of this matter? Understanding subordinate clauses helps you understand commas better, too.

Using commas with subordinate clauses

Once you can spot subordinate clauses correctly, you can place commas correctly in your sentence. Follow these rules below:

• Rule 1: When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, place a comma after it.
• Rule 2: When the independent clause begins a main sentence, don’t place a comma after it.

Pretty simple, huh? See these complementary rules in action:

“If I mow the lawn, my parents will give me an allowance”.
“My parents will give me an allowance if I mow the lawn.”

In this example, “my parents will give me an allowance” is the independent clause, and “if I mow the lawn” is the dependent clause. So when you start with the dependent clause “if I mow the lawn,” you put a comma after it. If you start with the independent clause “my parents will give me an allowance,” then you don’t put a comma after it.

There’s one more comma rule you need to know in order to master subordinate clauses:

Nonrestrictive clauses are subordinate clauses that can be removed from a sentence without altering its main message. Since they are nonessential, you should separate them from the rest of the sentence with bookended commas on both sides of the clause. It reads a bit like an interruption from the main point. Here’s an example:

“The movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, starring Michelle Yeoh, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.”

In this example, “starring Michelle Yeoh” is interesting, but it’s not essential to the sentence’s core meaning. You could remove this subordinate clause and the sentence still conveys the exact same meaning more or less.

“The movie Everything Everywhere All at Once won the Academy Award for Best Picture.”

Nonessential clauses are not bad writing, but they can add extra context. Bookending these clauses with commas indicates this clearly to your readers.

Examples of subordinate clauses

Finally, the best way to fully understand grammar concepts is through reading. Look through the following example sentences with the subordinate clauses bolded for your reference.

• There wasn’t any hot water left for me since he took a 45-minute shower.
• Because I ate a big dinner, I didn’t have room for dessert.
• I’m always willing to try something new although I may not stick with it.
• She drove her car until the sun went down.
• The restaurant that overcharged us is still in business.
• When the cheese starts bubbling, remove the casserole from the oven.
• My sister, who lives in Seattle, just mailed me a bag of world-famous coffee.
• Remove the tag before you wear your new sweater.
• My dog and cat snuggle together when they hear loud thunderstorms.
• Mrs. Patel, who tutored me in math, moved to Canada last year.

Do you feel more confident about subordinate clauses now? Pick out some subordinate clauses next time you read a book or blog post to gain more familiarity with them. Then when you sit down to write or edit your work, put these subordinate clause and comma rules into practice. Eventually, you’ll integrate these habits in your normal writing repertoire, and you’ll write properly without needing to concentrate so intensely.