Hello there! I'm an expert in linguistics and I'm here to help you understand the intricacies of language, particularly the concept of subordinate clauses. Let's dive right in!
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a type of clause that cannot function independently as a sentence. It is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb), but it is incomplete in meaning and requires an independent clause to complete its thought. Subordinate clauses are used to add detail, condition, or a variety of other nuances to the main clause in a sentence.
There are several types of subordinate clauses, each serving a different function within a sentence:

1. Adverbial Clauses: These clauses function like adverbs, providing information about the circumstances under which the main clause occurs. They often answer questions of time, place, manner, or reason. For example:
- "After I finish my homework, I will go out to play."
- "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk."

2. Noun Clauses: These clauses function like a noun, often serving as the subject, object, complement, or the object of a preposition in a sentence. For example:
- "What she said was very interesting."
- "I believe that he is honest."

3. Adjective Clauses: Also known as relative clauses, these clauses function like adjectives, modifying a noun or pronoun that comes before the clause. They often begin with relative pronouns such as "who," "which," "that," "whose," etc. For example:
- "The book that I read was very informative."
- "The man who lives next door is a doctor."

4. Gerund Clauses: These are clauses that use a gerund (a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun) as the subject or object of the clause. For example:
- "Seeing is believing."
- "Her going to the party surprised everyone."

5. Infinitive Clauses: These clauses use an infinitive (to + base form of the verb) to express purpose, cause, or other relationships. For example:
- "To succeed, one must work hard."
- "He seemed to be happy about the news."
Subordinate clauses are often set off with commas when they are non-restrictive (not essential to the meaning of the sentence), but not when they are restrictive (essential to the meaning of the sentence). Here's how you can identify them:
- Non-restrictive Clauses: These add extra information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. They are set off with commas.
- Example: "My brother, who is a doctor, lives in Canada."
- Restrictive Clauses: These are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off with commas.
- Example: "The book that I bought yesterday is very interesting."
Understanding how to use subordinate clauses can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills by allowing you to express complex ideas clearly and effectively. They are a powerful tool for adding depth and detail to your language.

Now, let's move on to the translation part.

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A subordinate clause, also called a dependent clause, cannot stand alone in a sentence because it is an incomplete thought and must have that independent clause by its side to function properly. A clause is just another word for a group of words containing one subject and one verb.read more >>