Subordination

Definition

Subordination refers to the grammatical structure where one clause is dependent on another, establishing a relationship where one element is less important or secondary to the main clause. This concept is crucial for understanding how complex sentences are formed, allowing for the expression of nuanced relationships between ideas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subordination is essential for creating complex sentences, which enhance writing by allowing the expression of multiple ideas within a single sentence.
2. In subordination, the dependent clause adds information to the independent clause, often providing context or detail that clarifies the main idea.
3. Common subordinating conjunctions include 'if', 'when', 'since', and 'unless', which signal the nature of the relationship between the clauses.
4. Effective use of subordination can improve clarity and coherence in writing, as it helps in organizing thoughts logically.
5. Misusing subordination can lead to sentence fragments or run-on sentences, highlighting the importance of understanding how clauses interact.

Review Questions

• How does subordination enhance the complexity of sentences in writing?
  • Subordination enhances sentence complexity by allowing writers to combine multiple ideas into one sentence through dependent and independent clauses. This structure adds depth and nuance to writing, enabling the expression of relationships between ideas, such as cause and effect or contrast. By using subordinating conjunctions effectively, writers can create sentences that are more informative and engaging.
• What role do subordinating conjunctions play in forming subordinate clauses, and why are they important?
  • Subordinating conjunctions are crucial in forming subordinate clauses because they indicate how these clauses relate to independent clauses. By introducing dependent clauses, conjunctions such as 'although' and 'because' clarify the context or conditions under which the main idea occurs. This relationship is important because it allows for more sophisticated sentence structures that can convey complex meanings and enhance overall clarity in writing.
• Evaluate the potential pitfalls of improper subordination in writing and their impact on clarity.
  • Improper use of subordination can lead to significant clarity issues in writing, such as sentence fragments or run-on sentences. When dependent clauses are misused or disconnected from their main clauses, readers may struggle to grasp the intended meaning. This confusion can detract from the effectiveness of the communication and make it difficult for readers to follow the writer's argument or narrative, underscoring the necessity of mastering subordination for clear expression.

Related terms

independent clause: A clause that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought.

dependent clause: A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence and relies on an independent clause to provide meaning, often introduced by subordinating conjunctions.

subordinating conjunction: Words that connect dependent clauses to independent clauses, indicating the relationship between them, such as 'although', 'because', and 'while'.