Subordinate clauses with conjunctions and prepositions. How to correctly identify subordinate clauses in English

How often in our speech we assume, make plans, assert the purpose for which we took this or that action, and regret missed opportunities. If you don't learn the topic subordinate clauses, then you won’t be able to conquer all the linguistic peaks.

Offer - it is not just a set of words, but an independent part of speech. Each of them has its own character: some are simple, some are complex. Let's find a common language with the second units of speech.

Complex Sentences or Compound Sentences Their names already indicate that they consist of two parts. Their main difference is in the interaction of the parts with each other. So, in the first type there is a main and a subordinate, in the second all relationships are built on equality. Let's compare:

The music stopped and the couples took their places. — The music stopped and the couples took their places (equal).

I thought that he would return on Monday. — I thought he would return on Monday (main and dependent).

So, we are interested in complex phrases, namely, their dependent part. First of all, let's understand what they call subordinate clauses in English. In our speech, we often use phrases that explain the main action, reveal more information, giving us the opportunity to diversify our speech. In other words, a subordinate clause means a secondary action. Let's compare:

He said something. It was very important. - He said something. This was very important (two simple ones)

What he said was very important. “What he said was very important.” (using subordinate clause)

Types of subordinate clauses

If we want to clarify subject, then we use conjunctions or allied words"who", "what", "that", "whose", "which", "how", "wether"/"if" ( If). To determine the type of offer, ask a question. So, Subject Clauses answer who? What?.

How he made a mistake is not clear to us. “We don’t understand how he made the mistake.” (This is unclear?)

Explain English predicate can be done using the same conjunctions as the subject. But Predicative Clauses will answer the question what did you do?

This is what has he done by 6 o'clock. - That's what he did at six o'clock.

Subordinate clauses additions answer the question what?, whom? for what?. The main sentence is connected through the same unions or in a non-union way. Subordinate clauses definitions answer what question? which? and are introduced using the conjunctions “who”, “whose”, “which”, “that”, “whom”, “when”, “how”.

She smiled at what I said . - She smiled at what I said.

I know the girl who has worn the prize . — I know the girl who won the first prize.

Subordinate clauses in English characterizing circumstances of the action, are the largest group.

• Adverbal Clauses place(places) answer questions where? Where? where? and are joined by the conjunctions “where”, “from where”, “wherever” (wherever, wherever). Adverbal Clauses time can be recognized by the conjunctions “when”, “after”, “till/untill”, “while”, “since”, “by the time”, “before”, “whenever” (whenever). Adverbal Clauses of manner(mode of action) adjoin the main idea using the conjunctions “as if”, “as”, “as though” and answer the questions how? how?. Great language exceptions - English - and here it makes us think. Thus, subordinate clauses have features when expressing the future tense.

They went to the street where the famous writer was killed . — They approached the place where the famous writer was killed.

I haven't written to him since we left the school . “I haven’t written to him since we left school.”

He looked at me as if he saw me for the first time. “He looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time.

• Adverbal Clauses reason(causes) are introduced into a complex sentence with the conjunctions “because”, “since” (meaning since), “as” (since) and answer the question why?. Adverbal Clauses purpose answer the question why? for what purpose? and are joined by the conjunctions “that”, “in order that”, “so that” - so that and the union “lest” - so as not to. The infinitive is most often used to explain the main action.

As we hadn’t any food we couldn’t continue our trip. — Since we had no more food, we could not continue our journey.

She went to England to learn English. — She went to England to study English.

She sent her children into the garden in order to work a little. — She sent the children to kindergarten to do a little work.

• Adverbal Clauses result(consequences) express the result of an action from the main clause. Subordinate clauses of this type are adjacent to the main one using the conjunctions “so that”, “that”, “so” (so). This type is not as simple as the others. When connecting the main and minor parts Don't forget to coordinate times.

He spoke for such a long time that we began to think that he never stop. “He talked for so long that we began to think he would never finish.”

• Adverbal Clauses concession(concessions) answer the question no matter what? and are joined by the conjunctions “though”, “however” (no matter how), “whoever” (whoever), “whatever” (no matter what), “even if” (even if). Adverbal Clauses condition(conditions)- “if”, “unless”, “in case”.

However rich people are they always want to make more money. - No matter how rich people are, they still want to earn even more money.

If he cleans his shoes it means he is having a date. — If he shines his shoes, it means he has a date.

Note: conditional sentences have several types that require careful study.

Despite their large number, subordinate clauses in English are quite easy to understand and remember. Determine the main idea and explanatory circumstances, pose a question, look at the connecting conjunction - and you have found the answer.

Additional subordinate clauses ( Object Clauses)
Additional subordinate clauses serve as a direct (less often prepositional) complement to the verb or adjective in the main clause. Additional clauses are connected to the main clause:

• unions that, if, whether:

Do you doubt that I can do it? - Do you doubt What I can do that?
Doyouknowif anychanges have been made in your time-table? - Don't you know there were whether have there been any changes to our schedule?
IN colloquial speech union that After verbs and adjectives, as a rule, it is omitted:
I suppose (that) he’ll be there. - I assume he will be there.

• what,who,whom,which,whose:

Idon'tknowwhat youare talking about. - I don't know, about what you say.
I've forgotten whom I gave the book. - I forgot, to whom I gave the book.

• connecting adverbs when,where,how, howwhy:

Iwonderwhy hehasn’ttcome. - Interesting, Why He did not come.
Do you remember where he lives? - Do you remember, Where he lives?
If a connecting word is combined with a preposition, the latter is placed at the end of the subordinate clause:
Ican'tunderstand,what you are laughing at. - I can not understand, above what you're laughing.

• in a non-union way. In this way, additional subordinate clauses are always introduced to the main sentence, expressed in words Iwish. In this case, the verb in the subordinate clause is used in the conditional or subjunctive mood:

I wish it was summer now. - It's a pity that it's not summer now.
I wish I hadn't gone there. - It was in vain that I went there.

In colloquial speech, non-conjunctive additional clauses are widely used after various verbs and adjectives:
I hope you are ready now. - I hope you're ready now.
I’m glad you’re with us again. - I'm glad you're with us again.

In additional subordinate clauses after verbs of will it is used subjunctive mood With auxiliary verb should:
The family decided that the elder son should become a lawyer. - The family decided that the eldest son should become a lawyer.

Predicate in additional clauses joined by conjunctions when And if, can be expressed by a verb in any future tense:
I don’t know when he will come. - I don't know when he will come.
I don’t know if he’ll be meeting you. - I don't know if he will meet you.

Determinative subordinate clauses ( Attribute Clauses)
A defining subordinate clause performs the function of defining a noun or pronoun in the main clause and answers questions which?what? - Which? The attributive clause takes place after the word that it defines in the main clause and is attached to it:

• connecting pronouns that, who, whom, as, which, whose:

Tom's brother who lives in Moscow is an engineer. - Brother Tom, who lives in Moscow, is an engineer.
His words that he wasn’t coming upsetme.- His words that he would not come upset me.
Relative pronouns whom,whose And which, introducing attributive clauses, can be used with prepositions.

• connecting adverbs where,when,why:

The place where we stopped to rest was very beautiful. - Place, Where we stopped to rest, it was very beautiful.

3) in a non-union way:
Youcantakeanyseatyoulike. - You can sit wherever you like.
I've done all I could.- I did everything I could.
This is the book I told you about. - Here is the book I told you about.
Subordinate clauses are divided into two types: descriptive clauses ( DescriptiveClauses) and restrictive qualifying clauses ( LimitingClauses).

Descriptive qualifying sentences ( Descriptive Clauses)
Descriptive qualifying clauses can be separated into a separate clause or omitted altogether without affecting the meaning of the main clause. Such a qualifying clause is usually separated from the main clause by a comma:
Emily,whothoughtsheknewhimso well,wasalarmed.- Emilia, who thought she knew him so well, was alarmed.

Descriptive Definitive Sentence whothoughtsheknewhimso well can be separated into a separate proposal Shethoughtsheknewhimso well or completely omitted. At the same time, the main sentence does not lose its meaning.
Descriptive attributive sentences are used to describe the person or thing(s) about which we're talking about in the main clause, and to provide additional information about it:
In the street I met some children, who showed me the way. - On the street I met children who showed me the way.

In descriptive definitional sentences relative pronoun that is not used and relative pronouns cannot be omitted (more about the use relative pronouns who,which And that.).

Types of subordinate clauses in English

I. Subordinate clause - subject
that - what
if, whether
who - who
what - what, which
which - which
when - when
where - where
how - how
why - why

Whether we played there or not means nothing now. - Whether we played there or not, it doesn’t matter now.
That she understands his fault is clear. - It is clear that she understands her guilt.
What she told me yesterday proved to be correct. “What she told me yesterday turned out to be true.”
Who spoke at that meeting has escaped my memory. - I can’t remember who spoke at this meeting.
Which of the knives is good for our kitchen has to be decided yet. - Which knife is suitable for our kitchen will still be decided.
Where she is hiding now is not known. - Where she is hiding now is unknown.
When he arrives is not mentioned. - When he arrives is unknown.
Why they have chosen that way was known only to their guide. - Why they chose this path was known only to their guide.
How you have managed to do it is very strange. - It’s very strange how you managed to do this.

II. Subordinate clause - predicate (is the nominal part of the predicate) the same as for the subordinate subject

This is what I told you about. - What I told you about.
The question is whether the weather is sunny. - The question is whether the weather will be sunny.

III. Subordinate clause - addition
that—that
if, whether
what - what, which
who - who
which - which
where - where
how - how
why - why

Tom asked if he could take that book. - Tom asked if he could take this book.
We know that she is pretty. - We know that she is beautiful.
I don't know what Jimmy should do now. - I don't know what Jimmy should do now.
I wonder why penguins don't fly. - I wonder why penguins don’t fly?
The secretary told us how we can arrange our offers. - The secretary told us how we can prepare our proposals.
…where to sleep. -...where to sleep.
… which bag to buy. - ... which bag to buy.

IV. Subordinate clause - attributive
who - which
whose - whose
which - which
that - which
where - where
why - why

The room has a stove which faces the door. - The room has a stove, which is located opposite the door.
It is the same person whom we saw last month. - This is the same man we saw a month ago.
Do you know the reason why Maria was late? - Do you know the reason why Maria was late?
The time when MaryI was young has long passed. - The time when Mary was young is long gone.
The castle where we once had dinner has disappeared. - The castle where we once had lunch has disappeared.

V. Circumstances of the place
where - where
wherever - wherever, wherever.

Put the vase where it belongs. - Put the vase in place.
Wherever you go, you should be careful. - Wherever you go, you must be careful.

VI. Circumstances of the time
when - when
after - after that
before - before
till - until
while - while
since - since
as soon as - as soon as

After you go there, you can call on me. - When you go there, you can visit me.
When summer comes, we'll go to the country. - When summer comes, we will go to the village.
By the time Amy arrives, I’ll be ready. - By the time Amy arrives, I'll be ready.
Let me smoke a cigar before I go. - Let me smoke a cigar before I go.

VII. Circumstance of the reason
because - because
as - since
since - since

Tim can’t go to the concert because he is busy. - Tim can't go to the concert because he's busy.

VIII. Circumstance of the course of action
as - how
that - what
as if = as though - as if

She chews so loudly that everyone can hear her. - She chews so loudly that everyone can hear her.

IX. Circumstance of the goal
that - to
so that or in order to - in order to
lest - so as not to...

Eva had to talk louder, so that everyone could hear her. -Eve had to speak louder so that everyone could hear her.

X. Circumstances of the condition.
if - if
provided that = on condition that - provided that

If she is free today, he might be at the conference. - If she is free today, she should be at the conference.
I will read you an

Types of subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses can perform a wide variety of functions as part of the main clause. They differ from the corresponding members of the sentence in being more expressive, since they contain a predicate that has the ability to represent the whole event.
In English, the following types of subordinate clauses are distinguished: subject subordinate clauses, predicate subordinate clauses, additional subordinate clauses, attributive subordinate clauses, adverbial subordinate clauses.

Subject clauses ( Subject Clauses)
Subordinate clauses perform the function of the subject in a complex sentence and answer questions who? - Who? or what? - What?
The subject clause is usually placed after the predicate, in which case the main clause begins with a formal subject it. In the absence of an introductory it The subordinate clause always comes before the predicate of the main clause.
Subordinate clauses are added to the main clause:

• what,who,whom,which,whose and connecting adverbs when,where,how, howwhy; in the presence of a connecting pronoun what introductory it not used. For example:

What you don' t understand isthat he’ll never agree to this plan. -You don't understand one thing: He will never agree to this plan.
What's worrying me now is the state of her health. -That, WhatworriesmeNow, this is the state of her health.
Who saved his life remained unknown. -Who saved his life remained unknown.
Why he did not come isstillnot known. -Why didn't he come, is still unknown.

• unions that,whetherif(union that used only with introductory it). For example:

Whether he' ll agree isanother question. -Whether he agrees or not, that's another question.
Is it true that you're going away? - This is true, that you are leaving?
After revolutions itisnecessary,itisstrange,itisimportant etc. in a subordinate clause beginning with a conjunction that, the predicate verb is often used in the subjunctive mood:
It is important that the lettershould be sent today. - Important, toletterwas sentToday.
It is strange that he should have said that. - Strange, WhatHeThissaid.

• in a non-union way (only with an introductory it):

It is a pity you couldn't come. - It's a pity, that you couldn't come.
Subordinate clauses beginning with a conjunction whether/if, should be distinguished from subordinate clauses of time and condition. Unlike the latter, in subordinate clauses the predicate can be expressed by a verb in any of the future tenses:
When I shall come back is hard to say. - Hard to say, WhenII'll be back.
If I shall come back is hard tosay.- Hard to say, I'll be backwhetherI.

Predicate subordinate clauses ( Predicate Clauses)
The predicate subordinate clause in a complex sentence performs the function of a predicate (nominal part of the predicate) of the main sentence. Predicate clauses are not used often. They are entered:

• connecting pronouns what,who,whom,which,whose:

That's what I want to tell you. - That's what I want to tell you.

• connecting adverbs when,where,how, howwhy:

This is where I live. - This is where I live.
That's why I came here. - That's why I came here.

• unions that, whether, if:

Thetroubleisthat we' ve got very little time. - The fact is that we have very little time.
The fact is thathe didn't come at all. - Actually, he didn't come at all.
As in subordinate clauses, in subordinate predicates introduced by conjunctions when And if, the predicate verb can be in any of the future tenses:
That’swhen he will appear. - That's when he will appear.

Predicate clauses are usually attached to the subject using linking verbs tobe,togettobecometogrow etc. For example:
Thetalkwas getting what he called pointless. - The conversation was becoming, he said, pointless.
Predicate clauses also include sentences that are combined in impersonal sentences with linking verbs toseemtoappeartolooktohappen:
It seems that he was late for the train. - It seems he missed the train.

This topic is one of the most serious in English grammar. By learning a language at the initial stage, you can do without this knowledge for some time. But the higher your level, the more you will have a desire to diversify and complicate your speech, making it closer to what native speakers speak. At this point, there will be a need to study the conditions: their meaning, varieties, methods of formation and examples of use. This article will help with that.

Where are they used?

In English, as in Russian, all sentences are divided into simple and complex. And the latter, in turn, can be complex and complex. The first type does not create great difficulties when learning the grammar of a foreign language. But in the case of the second, there are some nuances.

Consider a typical one in English:

If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk - If (when) the weather is fine, I’ll go for a walk.

IN in this case you can easily see two components:

• I'll go for a walk - main clause;
• if (when) the weather is fine - condition clause or time clause.

What do they mean?

In the example discussed above, the main sentence expresses the thought: “What will happen?”, and the subordinate clause expresses the thought “Under what condition (or at what time, when) will this happen?”

Such sentences express an inextricable semantic and grammatical connection main and subordinate parts. In general, subordinate constructions can express a wide variety of meanings: mode of action and degrees, place, time, condition, cause, effect, purpose, comparison, concession. But in this article we will talk about only two types, expressing situations of time and conditions.

In speech, such constructions express logical, spatiotemporal and cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, the advanced learner of English needs to understand when to use clauses and clauses.

Used conjunctions

It is characteristic that in complex sentences main part invariably one, but there may be several subordinate clauses. All of them are directly dependent (logical and grammatical) on the main component and are attached to it with the help of various conjunctions and allied expressions. Here are the most common ones:

• if - if;
• in case - in case;
• when - when;
• while - while, while;
• as soon as (as long as) - as soon as;
• until - not yet, until;
• after - after;
• before - before;
• unless (if not) - if not.

Please note that the conjunction used does not always help determine A. This is often necessary to apply a grammatical rule discussed later in the article. To accurately confirm that this is a sentence with a subordinate clause or time, you need to ask a question to the subordinate part.

Remember also that a sentence can begin with either a main clause or a subordinate clause. Is it difficult not to get confused? Just pay attention to which part of the sentence the conjunction is in (one or another from the list presented above).

What is a subordinate tense?

This type includes a part that is subordinate to the main one, while answering the questions: “When?”, “How long?”, “How long ago?”, “Since when?”, “Until when?” and so on.

To attach subordinate clauses to the main part, conjunctions are used: when, after, before, until and others with a similar meaning. However, in order to make sure that it is the meaning of time that is being expressed, and not some other, it is most reliable to ask a question.

What is a subordinate clause?

Such grammatical structures answer the question: “Under what conditions?” They are quite varied and are joined by conjunctions if, in case, unless, etc. But it does not always guarantee that the meaning of the condition is realized in the sentence. Because in many cases, the phrase, for example, with if, is translated not “if”, but “whether”. Compare:

• I’ll come if they invite me - I’ll come if they invite me.
• I don’t know if they will invite me - I don’t know if they will invite me.

Subordinate clauses in English are found in sentences that take place in the past, present or future tense. In addition, the conditions put forward themselves have a gradation: real, unlikely and unrealistic. This is best understood through examples.

Type I

The subordinate conditions belonging to the first type describe real fact. That is, what actually took place in the past, present or future. In this case, the tense forms of the predicate verb in the main and subordinate parts usually coincide.

This can be clearly seen in the examples.

• Past tense:

If the weather was fine, he went for a walk - If the weather was good, he went for a walk.

• Present tense:

If the weather is fine, he goes for a walk - If the weather is fine, he goes (goes) for a walk.

• Future tense:

If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk - If the weather is fine, he will go for a walk.

Only in the last example can one notice that the two parts of the complex sentence do not agree in time (the subordinate clause is in the form of the present, and the main one is in the form of the future). This did not happen by chance, but as a result of a special grammatical rule to which subordinate clauses and conditions are subject. The details will be explained below.

For now, let's look at the manifestations of the second and third types of subordinate conditions. They no longer open in three grammatical tenses, but take on the meaning “if, then...”. Moreover, such a hypothetical situation may relate to both the present day and the past.

Type II

When the speaker believes that the reality of fulfilling the condition is quite small, then a separate speech construction. Drawing an analogy with the Russian language, this is the subjunctive mood (“if only ...”). Example:

If the weather was fine, I would go for a walk - If the weather was good, I would go (went) for a walk.

Please note that the situation described is happening at the time the person is talking about it. This is not regret about yesterday.

To construct a grammatically correct statement of this type, you need:

• in the subordinate clause put the verb-predicate in Past form Simple;
• in the main part use would + (but without the particle to).

III type

If compliance this condition(and the commission of an action) is considered by the speaker as completely impossible, a subordinate condition of a different type comes into play. The impossibility of realizing such a situation is due to the fact that the action has already taken place in the past, and the speaker is not able to change its result. And therefore, a compound with a subordinate condition of this type usually expresses regret and lamentation about the current circumstances.

If the weather had been fine yesterday, we wouldn’t have stayed home. In that case we would have gone for a walk - If the weather had been good yesterday, we would not have stayed at home. In that case, we would go for a walk.

But there may be another, opposite in meaning, situation. The person thinks about what could have happened, but does not feel regret about it. For example:

If I had overslept, I would have been late - If I had overslept, I would have been late.

Please note that the entire sentence refers to and expresses the impossibility of committing certain action right then, in the past.

The following grammatical structure is formed:

• in the subordinate clause, the predicate verb is put in the Past Perfect form;
• in the main part would + Perfect Infinitive is used.

What tense is used in subordinate clauses?

This question is very serious. A little earlier in the article it was mentioned that it is important to determine the type of subordinate clause. And in this matter, it is necessary to focus not on alliances, but on the questions asked.

The fact is that there is a certain grammatical rule. It is related to the type of clause and the use of present/future tense in it.

If subordinate clauses answer the questions: “Under what condition will the action be performed?” or “At what time (when) will this happen?”, then they express, respectively, a condition or a time. In these types of clauses you cannot use the future tense (with the verb will). The present is used instead. Even when the situation clearly relates to the future and it is at this time that it is translated into Russian.

Compare:

• She’ll make a cake when you come.
• If I get this job, I will be happy.

As is easy to notice, in the latter case The given example belongs to the variety - subordinate condition of type I. This rule does not apply to the other two types of conditional clauses, since they contain completely different constructions for expressing grammatical meaning.

In many situations complex sentences allow you to better express the speaker’s thoughts. Subordinate units join with the help of special unions. The main varieties are subordinate tenses and subordinate conditions.

The English language presents certain grammar rules regarding the use of such structures. In order to reliably learn them, you need to thoroughly understand the theory once, and then perform as many exercises as possible so that an example of correct use is fixed in memory. Subsequently, when the need arises, it will automatically appear in speech.