Adverbs of mode of action in English. How to correctly identify subordinate clauses in English

Types of subordinate clauses
Relative clauses can perform a wide variety of functions as part of the main clause. They differ from the corresponding members of the sentence in greater expressiveness, 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 clauses, predicate clauses, additional clauses, attributive clauses, adverbial clauses.

Subject clauses ( Subject Clauses)
Subject 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 the formal subject it. In the absence of an introductory it The subordinate subject always comes before the predicate of the main clause.
Subject clauses are attached to the main one:

• what,who,whom,which,whose and connecting adverbs when,where,how,why; in the presence of a connective 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 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,whether,if(union that used only with introductory it). For example:

Whether he' ll agree isanother question. -Will he agree or not, that's another question.
Is it true that you're going away? - It's true, that you are leaving?
After revolutions itisnecessary,itisstrange,itisimportant etc. in a subordinate clause beginning with a union that, the verb-predicate is often used in the subjunctive mood:
It is important that lettershould be sent today. - Important, toletterIt was senttoday.
It is strange that he should have said that. - Weird, whatis heThissaid.

• union-free way (only with introductory it):

It is a pity you couldn't come. - It's a pity, that you couldn't come.
Subject clauses beginning with conjunction whether/if, should be distinguished from the subordinate clauses of time and condition. Unlike the latter, in subordinate clauses the predicate can be expressed by the 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 performs the function of a predicative (nominal part of the predicate) of the main clause in a complex sentence. Predicate clauses are not often used. 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,why:

This is where I live. - That's 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 thing is, we don't have much time.
The fact is thathe didn't come at all. - In fact, he didn't come at all.
As in subordinate clauses, in clauses introduced by conjunctions when and if, the verb-predicate can be in any of the future tenses:
That'swhen he will appear. - That's when he shows up.

Predicate clauses are usually attached to the subject by means of linking verbs. tobe,toget,tobecome,togrow etc. For example:
Thetalkwas getting what he called pointless. - The conversation became, in his words, pointless.
The predicate clauses also include sentences that are combined in impersonal sentences with linking verbs toseem,toappear,tolook,tohappen:
It seems that he was late for the train. - Looks like he missed the train.

As you know, the proposal sentence) is a combination of words that expresses a certain complete thought. Being the minimum unit of speech, a sentence can be either simple ( simple) and complex in structure. Everything is in the article of the same name on our blog. And if you missed something or didn’t notice something while studying them, read the article again.

From the material of the article, you will learn that complex sentences can be compound in composition ( compound) and complexly subordinated ( complex). The difference between them is that in the first all parts of the sentence are equal, and in the second there is a main sentence ( principal clause) and one or more subordinate clauses ( subordinate clauses) to explain it.

Relative clauses in English are introduced into a complex sentence with the help of, which are not so few. The main ones are that, because, as, if, whether, when, since, after, before, till, unless, though other.

Types of subordinate clauses in English

Since subordinate clauses in English explain the main thing, they play the role of various members of the sentence, hence their types and names appeared. So, subordinate clauses are:

1. Subject clauses (the subject clause) introduced by unions that(what), if / whether(whether), who(who), what(what), which(which), when(when), where(where), how(as), why(why).
   

   Whether we met there or does not mean anything now. Whether we met or not doesn't matter now.

   What she told me yesterday turned out to be the truth. What she told me yesterday turned out to be true.

2. Predicate clauses(predicative - the predicative clause), which is found in the same unions as the previous subordinate clause in English.
   

   The question is whether he knows about her betrayal or not. “The question is whether he knows about her betrayal or not.

   The problem was that he treated us as unfamiliar people. “The problem was that he treated us like strangers.

3. Adnexal additional(the object clause), which are attached to the main clause using conjunctions that, if / whether, what, who, which, where, how, why.
   

   He told us that he had seen us buying a bouquet of flowers. He said he saw us buying a bouquet of flowers.

   I do not understand what I must do now. I don't understand what I should do now.

4. Clauses (the attributive clause), and to work with them you will need unions such as who(which), whose(whose), which / that(which), where(where), why(why).
   

   The house where we once lived has been burnt. The house we once lived in burned down.

   The woman who helped us was a doctor from our local hospital. The woman who helped us was a doctor from our district hospital.

5. Adverbial clauses (the adverbial clause) , which have their own classification.

   First of all, this adverbial clauses of place (the adverbial clause of place), which, as the name suggests, require only conjunctions where(where, whither) and wherever(wherever, wherever).

   The dog sleeps wherever he wants. The dog sleeps where he wants.

   Do you know where he plays football? Do you know where he plays football?

   This is followed by such subordinate clauses in English as adverbial adverbial tense (the adverbial clause of time). Accordingly, they need unions that determine the time parameters: when(when), after(after), before(until), till(until), while(while), since(since), as soon as(once).

   She was still crying when he entered the room. She was still crying when he entered the room.

   By the time you get married, I will have a family with three children. “By the time you get married, I will already have a family and three children.

   Next, we select a group such as adverbial adverbial reasons (the adverbial clause of reason) and explain them by unions because(because), as / since(as).

   I called you because I needed money. I called you because I needed money.

   He can't go to the party because he caught cold. He cannot go to the party because he has a cold.

   Smooth transition to adverbial adverbial purpose (the adverbial clause of purpose). Remember introductory unions that(to), so that / in order that(in order to), lest(not to...).

   She must speak louder so that everybody could hear her. She must speak louder so that everyone can hear her.

   He works hard in order that he can afford himself to buy a house of his dreams. He works hard to afford to buy his dream house.

   Of course, do not forget about such subordinate clauses in English as adverbial adverbial clauses (the adverbial clause of condition) based on unions if(if), provided that / on condition that(provided that).

   If you find the book I asked, I will fulfill my promise. “If you find the book I asked for, I will keep my promise.

   I won't be free unless you tell me about this. "I won't be free until you tell me."

   There are still subgroups of adverbial clauses course of action (the adverbial clause of manner), comparisons (the adverbial clause of comparison) and concessions (the adverbial clause of concession). The first and second subgroups of subordinate clauses in English need conjunctions as(as), as if / as thought(ostensibly). But for the third fit though(although), no matter how(no matter how), no matter what(whatever it is, anyway).

   She is looking at her mother as if she doesn't recognize her. She looks at her mother as if she doesn't recognize her.

   He reads as quickly as he can. He reads as fast as he can.

   No matter what he says, I do not believe him. Whatever he says, I don't believe him.

How many types subordinate clauses in English formed. Although, despite their number, they are all understandable and by no means difficult. One has only to remember the unions and features of each group of subordinate clauses. And with the help of this information, you can quickly navigate in such a complex topic as.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

The English sentence can be compared with the Russian one in that their structure is partially similar, and we are not talking about the members of the sentence, but about the parts of one phrase. So, in the language there are. The second, which will be touched upon in this article, in turn, are compound, where all parts are equal and independent, and complex. A complex sentence is called so because one or more of its parts are subordinate to another, and these subordinating parts themselves can answer different questions and act as different components of the phrase. These features led to the emergence of such a concept as clauses, and determined the classification of types of clauses in accordance with the role in the sentence. This will be discussed in this article. We will look at what subordinate clauses are in English, what types of them are distinguished and how they differ from each other.

General information about accessory parts

The translation of the word clause will be “part”, and then we are talking about those parts of a complex sentence that can convey different meanings and answer different questions. In general, there are main / principal - main and subordinate clauses - subordinate clauses in English (parts). Such a division is very clearly visible in the subjunctive mood, because conditional sentences in English consist directly of such components: the main sentence carries the main essence, and the subordinate part - the condition.

It is worth noting that parts of a complex sentence can be connected either through conjunctions or other connecting words, or not have any connecting units. An example of an allied connection:
She was sure that nobody would come to see her off She was sure that no one would come to see her off.

An example of a unionless relationship:
I wish I had been there a few days before– It is a pity that I was not there a few days before.

It is also impossible not to note the fact that the subordinate clauses do not have any specific place, that is, they can either precede the main parts or stand after them:

It was hard to overcome the problem because the task was too difficult– It was difficult to overcome the problem because the task was too difficult

· When he phoned in the evening, I was watching my favorite TV program - When he called in the evening, I was watching my favorite program

Translation of clauses today can also be considered all subordinate clauses, including those that contain the main members of the sentence. This is due, perhaps, to the fact that the types of subordinate clauses are very numerous, and when talking about parts of a complex sentence, it is important to emphasize all fragments of the phrase without exception. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the types of clauses in more detail, give examples from different categories and determine what questions a particular type answers.

The main types of accessory parts

It is customary to distinguish the following types of subordinate clauses in English:

1. Subject clause

or, more simply, a part that has a subject in its composition. It shows the relation of this clause to the predicate and can be either at the beginning or at the end and have different conjunctions or linking words in front of it (who, what, which, where, that, etc.):

What does he want to do is to go away right now - What he wants to do is leave right now

2. Predicative clause - subordinate predicates

In many ways, they resemble the previously described subject clauses, since they also contain one of the two main members. In addition, approximately the same conjunctions and connecting elements are also used before them - who, what, that, how, why, etc. The only difference is that those subordinate clauses in English that have a predicative usually stand in the second half:

The problem was how the boys could reach that place– The problem was how the boys could get to that place

3. Object clause - additional clauses

In fact, they perform the function of a full-fledged supplement. Additional subordinate clauses can be connected to the main part through a variety of conjunctions and connecting elements - that, is, what, who, whatever, whoever, etc. Such parts are also called explanatory and answer questions of indirect cases: what? about whom? etc.:

He always does what his mother tells him to do He always does what his mother tells him to do.

4. Attributive clauses

They play the role of definitions and are associated with either nouns or pronouns that are in the main clause. Definitive sentences in English can be linked to main clauses through different elements: they can be relative pronouns (who, that, which, etc.), relative adverbs (when, where), and the method can be non-union. Complicated sentences with attributive clauses are quite popular because of the possibility of different ways of agreeing with the main part; Usually the attributive clause answers the question which one? and may look like this:

He started in the hope that everyone would support him He started in the hope that everyone would support him.

5. Adverbial clauses - adverbial clauses

which constitute perhaps the largest subgroup. Complicated sentences with adverbial clauses are very common, as they convey a lot of meanings and have several separate subtypes. It is logical to assume that NGN with adverbial adverbial clauses has a part in the circumstance function inside, which can have different meanings and be used to display different situations. So, any table with these types will offer the following options:

a) Adverbial clause of time

Quite often, parts of time and conditions stand together, since both subordinate conditions and time are clearly reflected in the subjunctive mood, where they have special grammatical norms for the formation of time. Temporary clauses have conjunctions that precede them - as, as soon as, till, until, when, etc.:
As soon as I saw her, I called my friends to tell them this news - As soon as I saw her, I called my friends to tell them this news

b) Adverbial clauses of place

There is usually nothing complicated in them, and the words that precede them are somehow connected with the place - where, wherever:
I feel good where I live– I feel good where I live

c) Adverbial clauses of purpose

Their essence lies in the name itself: they convey the purpose for which the action is performed. They are preceded by well-known structures such as in order, so that, etc.:

I looked at him so that he could understand the seriousness of my intention I looked at him so that he could understand the seriousness of my intention.

d) Of cause

This part is designed to show this or that reason in relation to the main part. May begin with unions because, for, since, as, etc.:

I decided not to go there since I didn't know anyone at that party– I decided not to go there because I didn’t know anyone at that party.

e) Of condition - relative clauses of the condition

They are quite familiar to those who remember Subjunctive Mood and Conditional Sentences. Conditional clauses usually begin with conjunctions such as if (whether), unless, in case, etc.:

In case she comes, nobody will meet her - In case she comes, no one will meet her

f) Of comparison - comparisons

Their essence is quite simple: their translation begins with the words “as if”, “as if”, which are usually expressed through unions identical in meaning as if / as though or other structures: as - as, so - as, etc .:

He looked as if nothing could frighten him He looked like nothing could scare him

g) Of result - the result or, as they are also called, the consequences

The translation of such constructions is “so much so that ...”, “such that ...”. Such clauses are usually expressed through the so that structure, but such a case of its use should not be confused with an adverbial clause of purpose, where the essence will be completely different. Here is what the subordinate corollary looks like:

We were deeply involved in working on the project, so that we didn't hear he come– We were so involved in the work on the project that we did not hear him come

h) Of manner

The conjunction as usually indicates how the action is performed, that is, the way it is performed. For example:
He did everything as you ordered him- He did everything as you ordered him.

i) Adverbial clause of concession

A typical translation from which such a part will begin is “although”, “despite”, etc. Such meanings are expressed through conjunctions although, though, however, despite, etc.:

thought he was free, he refused to help us - Although he was free, he refused to help us

As can be seen from all of the above information, there are quite a few types of subordinate parts of a sentence, but each of them has individual distinctive features in the form of unions that introduce them, so the study of this extended topic usually does not cause big problems and difficulties.

The use of subordinate clauses in English has its own characteristics. Let's look at what kind of subordinate clauses are and how to use them correctly with the main ones.

How to recognize a subordinate clause

A subordinate clause in English (clause), also called a dependent clause, begins with either a relative pronoun and contains . By itself, it does not form a complete statement, but only provides the reader with additional information.

List of subordinating conjunctions:

Take a look at these examples:

• After Bob came home from school

After - subordinating union; Bob - subject; came - predicate.

• Once John climbed the mountain

Once - subordinating union; John - subject; climbed - predicate.

• Until he watches his favorite film

Until - subordinating union; he - subject; watches is a predicate.

A subordinate clause in English cannot be independent, since it does not express a complete thought. It makes the reader think: “What next?”. If a word group starts with a capital letter and ends with a dot, it must contain at least one . Otherwise, it will be a gross grammatical error.

• After Bob came home from school (After Bob came home from school) - What happened next? Did he start doing homework or went to play with friends?
• Once John climbed the mountain (When John climbed the mountain) - What then? Did he go down or put up a flag?
• Until he watches his favorite film (Until he watches his favorite film) - Will he go to bed? Or won't he get to work?

How to connect a subordinate clause with a main clause

If the subordinate clause in English comes before the main clause, you need to separate them with a comma: subordinate clause + , + main clause

• After Bob came home from school, he had dinner.
• Once John climbed the mountain, he put up the tent.

If , punctuation is usually not required: main clause + Ø + subordinate clause

• Bob did poorly on his math test Ø because he did not review the material.
• John went straight back to the camp where his friends were waiting for him.
• He turned off the TV once the film was over.

Punctuation of subordinate clauses

Pay attention to the punctuation when a subordinate clause in English starts with .

Relative clauses can begin with a relative pronoun (then they are called attributive clauses). When the attributive clause begins, for example, with who, whose, or which, there are some nuances in punctuation.

Sometimes a comma is needed, sometimes not, depending on whether the English clause is individualizing or descriptive.

When the information contained in a subordinate clause specifies a general noun, it is individualizing and is not separated by a comma.

main clause + Ø + individualizing clause

• The old woman always left some milk for the cat Ø who lived near her house.

Cat is a general noun. What cat are you talking about? The subordinate clause explains this - who lived near her house. Thus, it is individualizing and does not require a comma.

When a subordinate clause in English follows a specific noun, the punctuation changes. The information in the subordinate clause is no longer so important, and it becomes descriptive. The descriptive sentence is separated by a comma.

main clause + , + descriptive relative clause

• The old woman always left some milk for her cat Missy, who lived in her house.

Missy is the name of a particular cat, and we immediately know who we are talking about. The information in this subordinate clause is not necessary to understand the meaning. In this case, it must be separated from the main clause by a comma.

The attributive clause can also be placed inside the main clause. Again, the individualizing sentence does not require punctuation in this case. If the sentence is descriptive, it must be separated by commas on both sides. Take a look at these examples:

• The woman Ø who gave us first aid Ø was a doctor from the local hospital.
• Mrs. Johnson, who gave us first aid, was a doctor from the local hospital.

subordination

Use subordination to combine two thoughts into one.

Writers often use the subjunctive to combine two thoughts into one sentence. Take a look at two simple sentences:

• Elizabeth gasped. A giant tree crashed onto the sidewalk in front of her.

Since they are interrelated, you can combine them into one to describe what is happening more expressively:

• Elizabeth gasped when giant tree crashed onto the sidewalk in front of her.

If two thoughts are not equal in importance, put the more significant one at the end so that the reader remembers it better. If we rewrite the example by swapping the fragments, the emphasis will shift:

• When a giant tree crashed onto the sidewalk in front of her, Elizabeth gasped.

However, it is not Elizabeth's reaction that matters to the reader, but the tree that has collapsed onto the sidewalk.

Knowing the rules for using subordinate clauses in English, you will be able to express your thoughts more competently and clearly. This, in turn, will allow you to significantly improve the level of your. If you still have questions about how to turn two simple sentences into one complex one, we will be happy to answer them in the comments!

All sentences, according to their structure, are divided into simple and complex, both in English and in other languages. With simple sentences, everything is quite simple, which cannot be said about complex ones, especially in English. Complex sentences are divided, according to their composition, into compound and complex sentences. Compounds consist of several equal parts. But complex subordinate clauses include one main and one (or more) subordinate clause, while the second only explains the first. Subordinate clauses perform a wide range of functions in English: they can act as a subject, predicate, object, circumstance, definition.

The subordinate clause as part of a complex

In English, in order to introduce a subordinate fragment into the complex structure of a complex sentence, as a rule, such unions and allied words are used:

• that- what
• because- because
• if- if
• when- when
• since- with
• after- after
• before- before
• till- before
• though- although, etc.

It happens that the use of allied words is not needed.

• Tom never thought he should see them again. — Tom never thought he would see them again.

Typology of subordinate clauses

Depending on the function performed, subordinate clauses in English are divided into types, which are named according to their role in phrases:

1. Subject clauses

This type of subordinate clauses perform, which is already understandable based on the name, the function of the subject and answer the questions:

• Who? - who?
• what? - what?

It can be introduced by the following unions:

• What I told them yesterday is the lie. — What I told them yesterday is a lie

2. Subordinate predicates (or predicative members)

This type of subordinate clauses performs the function of the nominal part of the predicate. Question to be answered:

• what is the subject?- what is the subject?

The same allied words are used for their introduction as for the previous type.

• The question is whether Kate knows about his decision or not. — The question is whether Kate is aware of his decision or not.

3. Adnexal additional

Questions answered by adverbial clauses

• whom? - whom
• what? - what?

In English, this type of sentence does not require a comma to separate it from the main clause. Introductory union that may be missed. We can use the future tense, even after the introductory word when :

• Jean knows when her friend will return. — Jane knows when her friend will be back
• I don't understand what I can do. — I don't understand what can I do

4. Clauses

Questions answered by relative attributive clauses:

• which? - which?
• what? - which?.

Definitive sentences are attached to the main clause in an unconjunctive way, or the following adverbs and pronouns are used to introduce the defining parts of a phrase:

If attributive sentences are introduced by pronouns whom ,whose and which , then it is likely that a pretext will also be required. Defining constructions refer to one of the members of the main clause, expressed by a noun or pronoun, and these constructions are placed after the member they define.

• The house where my family once had a rest has been flooded. — The house where my family once rested was flooded

Here the attributive clause together with the union where comes after the noun house:

• where my family once had a rest

5. Adverbial clauses

The group of adverbial clauses is large enough. Depending on the "circumstances", they were divided into conditional, concessive, etc.

Mode of action and comparison
Question to be answered:

• how? - How? How?

• The weather is not so nasty now as it was at the beginning of the month. — The weather is not as bad as it was at the beginning of the month

Causes
Answer the question

• why? - Why?

The main sentence is joined with the words:

• As it's hot, I'll stay at home. - Since it's hot, I'll stay at home

Goals
Questions to be answered:

• what for? - why?
• f or what purpose? - for what purpose?

They can be entered with structures such as:

• in order that- so as to
• so that- in order to
• lest- not to

The predicate in this type of sentence requires an auxiliary verb may (to be able) followed by the main verb in the infinitive. In Russian, the subjunctive mood is used in such cases, in English it is absent. May not translated into Russian literally.

• In order that the students might say their opinions, it was mentioned about democracy in our country. — In order for students to speak (could speak) their opinion, it was mentioned about democracy in our country

Consequences
They have the meaning of the consequence that follows from the whole phrase. Union that joins two (or more) parts of a phrase.

• The night was so hot that I could not sleep. — The night was so hot that I couldn't sleep.

concessions
The question they usually answer

• in spite of what? — in spite of what?

Allied words that connect the phrase into a single whole:

• Whatever wages it is Nick will work here. — Whatever the salary, Nick will work here

Conditional clauses
Adverbial conditionals are attached to the main sentence with the help of:

Types of conditional clauses

There are three types of conditional clauses in English:

• Conditionals of the first type express possible-realizable events that can refer to any of the three times (present, future or past). Verbs are used in the indicative mood in both parts (main and subordinate) of the phrase.
  • If you leave a dog here, it will escape. — If you leave the dog here, he will run away.
• Conditionals of the second type express unrealistic events or assumptions that relate to the present or future.
  The conditional part uses either to be past tense, plural were , or the verb in the past simple ( past simple).
  • He would not wait if he were you. - He wouldn't wait if he were you (was you)
  • If Lucy ceased to work, her family would have financial problems. — If Lucy stopped working, her family would have financial problems.
• Conditionals of the third type indicate unfulfilled events, assumptions that relate to the past.
  In the main part of the phrase, the following situation is observed with the tense form of the predicate:
  would + present perfect"
  In the conditional part, the verb is in past perfect
  • I would have relaxed better, if it had not been for John. — I would have rested even better if not for John