Subordination Order, Emphasis, and Word Relationships

Coordination vs. Subordination Whereas coordination organizes text, it does not emphasize or show relationships between words phrases or clauses Subordination shows which of the presented ideas is most important (emphasis). Subordination allows writers to identify the main idea of a sentence or refine that sentences meaning.

What else can subordination do? Subordination can: –Add order to a sentence –Place an emphasis on a particular idea within the sentence –Allow writers to add details to a sentence

General Tips When you use subordinate elements as modifiers, make sure that it’s clear what they are modifying Sentences where the subject and verb are near the beginning are typically easier to follow than sentences that begin with modifiers (this cuts down on those dangling modifiers!)

Phrase-Level Subordination This is probably the most common type of subordination Its purpose is usually to add emphasis. This type can be quite complicated (See sample on Gorrell pg. 20)

Cumulative Sentences Most common sentences containing subordinate elements are cumulative sentences (sentences where the subject and verb are near the beginning and modifiers are added onto them.) Example- –The boy ran into the room, where he kicked his sister, stomped on the cat, and peed in the corner, before he exited to a chorus of his mother’s screams.

Subordinate Clauses as Parts of Speech Subordinate clauses can be parts of speech, such as adjective clauses and adverb clauses You can identify adjective clauses by looking for who, where, that, and which at the beginning of the clause You can identify adverb clauses by looking for while Noun clauses often begin with that.

How to find subordinate phrases and clauses To find subordinate clauses, look for subordinate conjunctions (for a list of these, refer to the link on my website) You can often find subordinate phrases by looking for prepositions or participles (These often denote that the phrases are being used as modifying parts of speech) Example- –At the end of the day, Peter went berserk, throwing his toys, flailing his arms, and of course, harming the cat.

Work Time! Complete the exercise on page 23 of your Gorrell text. Be prepared to discuss your answers.