What is a subordinate clause?

Definition
	A subordinate clause is a clause that is embedded as a constituent of a matrix sentence and that functions like a noun, adjective, or adverb in the resultant complex sentence.

Generic
	A subordinate clause is a kind of
	What is a clause?

Kinds
	What is a relative clause? What is an adverbial clause?

Sources
	Hartmann and Stork 1972 76, 224
	Foley, W. and Van Valin 1984 243
	Thompson and Longacre 1985 172
	Quirk, Greenbaum, Leech, and Svartvik 1985 44, 719, 991
	Mish 1991 1175
	Crystal 1980 106, 129

Context for this page:

Concept module: subordinate clause
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): S
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

© 2004 SIL International