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subordinate clause

noun

, Grammar.
  1. a clause that modifies the principal clause or some part of it or that serves a noun function in the principal clause, as when she arrived in the sentence I was there when she arrived or that she has arrived in the sentence I doubt that she has arrived.


subordinate clause

noun

  1. grammar a clause with an adjectival, adverbial, or nominal function, rather than one that functions as a separate sentence in its own right Compare coordinate clause main clause
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Example Sentences

A subordinate clause may be needed if the thought is of great importance.

English is fond of cordination of clauses; Latin prefers to subordinate clause to clause.

And other important matters,—thus again was the weightiest part of the business relegated to a subordinate clause.

The independent part of the sentence is called a principal clause, and the dependent part is called a subordinate clause.

Subordinate clause: Because (as, since) they wished to make the ice smooth, they flooded the pond.

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