SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Subordinate Clauses

• Also known as a dependent clause

• Fragment, thus cannot stand alone

Example: As Joe put ice cream into his cup

Independent Clauses

• Can stand alone as a complete sentence

Example: Maria talked about the paintings.

Subordinate Clauses

• Joined with an independent clause to make a complex sentence

Examples:As Joe put ice cream into his cup, Maria

talked about the paintings.Maria talked about the paintings as Joe put

ice cream into his cup.

Subordinate Santa and Mrs. Main Claus

Punctuating Subordinate Clauses

• If the subordinating clause comes before the independent clause, then a comma follows

Example: As Joe put ice cream into his cup, Maria talked about the paintings.

• If the subordinating clause comes after the independent clause, then no comma separates the clauses

Example: Maria talked about the paintings as Joe put ice cream into his cup.

Subordinate ConjunctionsWords that might precede the clause:

- after-although-as-because-before-even if-even though-if-in order that once-provided that-rather than-since-so that

-than-that-though-unless until-when-whenever-where-whereas-wherever-whether-while-why

Let’s try a few more.

1. If I were rich-If I were rich, I would travel frequently.-I would travel frequently if I were rich.

2. After it rains-After it rains, we will splash in the puddles.-We will splash in the puddles after it rains.

3. Before you feed the dog-Before you feed the dog, wash your hands.-Wash your hands before you feed the dog.

Now, it’s your turn.

1. After I ate the salad2. Even though I should keep my mouth shut3. Until she finds her textbook4. When I save finally enough money5. While you were sleeping6. Since Mark was late 7. Because I bought you a present8. Unless I hear from you 9. Although Trevor can’t block 10.Before Seymour gets on the plane

Grammar Poem

• 1. You must write two stanzas of five lines each.• 2. The first four lines of each stanza must begin

with a word from the list of subordinators and cannot be a complete sentence.

• 3. The last line of the stanza cannot begin with a subordinator and must be a complete sentence.

• 4. The first word of each line must begin with a capital letter.

• 5. The first four lines are punctuated with a comma, and the last line is punctuated with a period.

• Sentence Order: Subordinator - Subject - Verb

Example

Whenever I get up,After the alarm clock has gone off,Before the sun comes up,As I stumble to the shower,I slowly get ready for my day of school. When I arrive at school,As I am talking to my friends,Before classes begin,While I do my work,I long to be back in my cozy bed.