The main subordinate clause types are adjunct clauses, relative
clauses , nominal relative clauses, that-clauses and comparative clauses .
Adjunct clauses
Adjunct clauses are subordinate clauses that function as adjuncts in
sentence structure . They are introduced by a wide range of
subordinating conjunctions, including although, because, if, since, when, while:
Although he is only 18, he has a very mature attitude.
Sandra left early because she has an interview tomorrow.
If you don’t hurry you’ll miss your flight.
He’s lived in the same house since he was a boy.
When he was young, Van Gogh loved to paint trees.
I’ll watch a video while you’re out.
Adjunct clauses express a very wide range of meanings .
Relative clauses
A relative clause is introduced by one of the relative pronouns, that, who, which or whose:
The book that I am reading is fascinating.
The man who lives beside us is unwell.
This is a company which does not exclude people.
I’ve got a friend whose parents are divorced.
In some circumstances, the relative pronoun may be omitted, leaving a zero relative clause :
The book I am reading is fascinating.
(cf. The book that I am reading . . . )
In another variant, the relative pronoun is again omitted, and the verb has an -ed form or an -ing form. This is a
reduced relative clause:
Houses built in the 1940s are usually draughty.
(cf. Houses which were built in the 1940s . . . )
The train arriving at Platform One is the Cambridge train.
(cf. The train which is arriving at Platform One . . . )
Nominal relative clauses
A nominal relative clause is introduced by what, whatever, whoever, where or how:
What you need is a long holiday.
Take whatever you want.
Whoever wins the most seats will form a government.
This is where the rebellion started.
Laura showed me how to set the timer.
There is a close correspondence between a nominal relative clause and a noun phrase :
What you need is a long holiday.
~The thing that you need is a long holiday.
Whoever wins the most seats will form a government.
~The party that wins the most seats will form a government.
Laura showed me how to set the timer.
~Laura showed me the way to set the timer.
That-clauses
A that-clause is introduced by the subordinating conjunction that:
Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous.
The new ruling means that pensioners will suffer.
Bernard has decided that he wants to live in Canada.
It is important to distinguish clearly between the subordinating conjunction that and the relative pronoun that .
Relative pronoun that introduces a relative clause, and it can usually be replaced by which :
The book that I am reading is fascinating.
~The book which I am reading is fascinating.
In contrast, the subordinating conjunction that cannot be replaced by which :
Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous.
*~Everyone knows which smoking is dangerous.
Comparative clauses
Comparative clauses are introduced by than or as . Clauses introduced by than express comparison in a gradable adjective or adverb:
Mary is older than I am.
It travels faster than you’d expect.
Everything is more expensive than it used to be.
Comparative clauses introduced by as express equivalence:
Mary is as old as I am.
This is as good as it gets.
You can be as personal as you like.
clauses , nominal relative clauses, that-clauses and comparative clauses .
Adjunct clauses
Adjunct clauses are subordinate clauses that function as adjuncts in
sentence structure . They are introduced by a wide range of
subordinating conjunctions, including although, because, if, since, when, while:
Although he is only 18, he has a very mature attitude.
Sandra left early because she has an interview tomorrow.
If you don’t hurry you’ll miss your flight.
He’s lived in the same house since he was a boy.
When he was young, Van Gogh loved to paint trees.
I’ll watch a video while you’re out.
Adjunct clauses express a very wide range of meanings .
Relative clauses
A relative clause is introduced by one of the relative pronouns, that, who, which or whose:
The book that I am reading is fascinating.
The man who lives beside us is unwell.
This is a company which does not exclude people.
I’ve got a friend whose parents are divorced.
In some circumstances, the relative pronoun may be omitted, leaving a zero relative clause :
The book I am reading is fascinating.
(cf. The book that I am reading . . . )
In another variant, the relative pronoun is again omitted, and the verb has an -ed form or an -ing form. This is a
reduced relative clause:
Houses built in the 1940s are usually draughty.
(cf. Houses which were built in the 1940s . . . )
The train arriving at Platform One is the Cambridge train.
(cf. The train which is arriving at Platform One . . . )
Nominal relative clauses
A nominal relative clause is introduced by what, whatever, whoever, where or how:
What you need is a long holiday.
Take whatever you want.
Whoever wins the most seats will form a government.
This is where the rebellion started.
Laura showed me how to set the timer.
There is a close correspondence between a nominal relative clause and a noun phrase :
What you need is a long holiday.
~The thing that you need is a long holiday.
Whoever wins the most seats will form a government.
~The party that wins the most seats will form a government.
Laura showed me how to set the timer.
~Laura showed me the way to set the timer.
That-clauses
A that-clause is introduced by the subordinating conjunction that:
Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous.
The new ruling means that pensioners will suffer.
Bernard has decided that he wants to live in Canada.
It is important to distinguish clearly between the subordinating conjunction that and the relative pronoun that .
Relative pronoun that introduces a relative clause, and it can usually be replaced by which :
The book that I am reading is fascinating.
~The book which I am reading is fascinating.
In contrast, the subordinating conjunction that cannot be replaced by which :
Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous.
*~Everyone knows which smoking is dangerous.
Comparative clauses
Comparative clauses are introduced by than or as . Clauses introduced by than express comparison in a gradable adjective or adverb:
Mary is older than I am.
It travels faster than you’d expect.
Everything is more expensive than it used to be.
Comparative clauses introduced by as express equivalence:
Mary is as old as I am.
This is as good as it gets.
You can be as personal as you like.
