What is a subordinate clause? Grammar Toolkit

Unlike a main clause, a subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. Subordinate clauses add meaning to the main clause in a sentence. They may act as a noun, adverb or adjective. Although she’s very busy, I know that my mum, who is really pretty, still wants to be an astronaut. adverbial clause — this one tells why adjectival clause, describing the noun mum noun clause, telling what the thought is

Grammar Toolkit What are the adjectival clauses in these sentences? Ed’s socks, which had not been washed, lay on the bedroom floor. All the actors who signed forms should line up quietly at the door. What are the noun clauses in these sentences? Tip: Ask the question what? Grandma said she was proud of me. Tess didn’t guess who had taken her lunch.

Grammar Toolkit What are the subordinate clauses doing in these sentences? People will behave as they wish. There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. Since it arrived, that dog has been nothing but trouble. I told her the job was done. adverbial clause, telling how adverbial clause, telling when noun clause, telling what adjectival clause, describing the lady Note that that is sometimes left out.

Grammar Toolkit A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It is the basic unit of a sentence. A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It depends on the main clause in a sentence and adds meaning to it. A subordinate clause acts in a sentence as a noun (noun clause), adverb (adverbial clause) or adjective (adjectival clause).

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