Hello there! I'm an expert in linguistics and I'm here to help you understand the intricacies of language, including the concept of a subordinate clause. Let's dive right in.
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a type of clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. Instead, it functions as a part of a larger sentence, often providing additional information or context to the main clause.

Subordinate clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions, which are words that connect the subordinate clause to the main clause. These conjunctions include words like "because," "although," "since," "when," "while," "if," "unless," and many others. They serve to indicate the relationship between the subordinate clause and the main clause.

Here are some key points about subordinate clauses:


1. Subject and Verb: Every subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb. Without both, it cannot be considered a clause.


2. Incomplete Thought: A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought on its own. It relies on the main clause to complete its meaning.


3. Function in a Sentence: Subordinate clauses can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence. This means they can provide information about the subject (noun function), describe another clause or phrase (adjective function), or give information about the verb (adverb function).


4. Types of Subordinate Clauses: There are several types of subordinate clauses, including adverbial, noun, and adjective clauses. Each serves a different purpose within the sentence.


5. Adverbial Clauses: These act like adverbs and modify the verb in the main clause. They often answer questions of time, place, manner, cause, or condition. For example, "After I finish my homework, I will go out to play."


6. Noun Clauses: These function as the subject, object, complement, or the object of a preposition in the main clause. They can include information, opinion, or command. For instance, "What she said was very surprising."

7.
Adjective Clauses: Also known as relative clauses, these modify a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They begin with relative pronouns like "who," "which," "that," "whose," "whom," etc. An example is, "The book that I read last night was fascinating."

8.
Position in a Sentence: Subordinate clauses can come before or after the main clause. Their position can affect the emphasis and clarity of the sentence.

9.
Punctuation: When a subordinate clause is at the beginning of a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma. If it's in the middle or at the end, it may or may not be followed by a comma, depending on the context and the need for clarity.

10.
Importance in Writing: Using subordinate clauses effectively can enhance the complexity and sophistication of your writing. They allow you to include more details and create more nuanced sentences.

Understanding how to use subordinate clauses can greatly improve your ability to express complex ideas in writing and speaking. They are a powerful tool for adding depth and detail to your language use.

Now, let's translate this into Chinese.

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A subordinate clause--also called a dependent clause--will begin with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun and will contain both a subject and a verb. This combination of words will not form a complete sentence. It will instead make a reader want additional information to finish the thought.read more >>