Subordinate clauses are those that depend on the main verb of the sentence. The subordinate clauses can be classified into: adjective subordinates, adverbial subordinates and substantive subordinates. A sentence is subordinate when it does not make sense by itself and depends on another main preposition, that is, it is a complement or a subject of another.
In this article we will focus on analyzing substantive subordinate clauses. These are those that within a compound sentence perform the same function as a noun or name within a simple sentence.
Substantive subordinate clauses are those that have functions of a name or a noun phrase, therefore, they perform the same functions. They must be introduced by a nexus or an infinitive and must be commutable by a noun; As this situation is not possible, they can be exchanged for a neuter demonstrative pronoun such as: eso, aquelo, esto. In other words, subordinate prepositions perform noun functions.
Introduced by a link (they can be conjunctions such as “if”, “that” or “that if”)
It overwhelms me that you are like this.
There are also interrogative forms such as who, what, how, when, where.
Tell me what you’re eating.
The subordinate clauses introduced by que si or si, are generally indirect interrogatives: I don’t know if you’ve been late (the question would be: have you been late? And the answer is I don’t know)
Another example of an interrogative that can work would be: I don’t know who has been there.
Introduced by an infinitive
It bothers me to speak in front of the public.
Within the analysis, substantive subordinate prepositions will be very important, they perform the same functions as the substitute. The main functions they perform are the following:
Subject noun subordinate preposition: he likes everything to go well . Here you can see that the subordinate clause acts as the subject of the main verb. One tactic is to change the subordinate clause to “that” to see if it makes sense: “he likes that”, as you can see, it makes sense.
Direct object noun subordinate preposition : The lawyer said he wouldn’t come back. Generally with links such as “what” or “if”; Adverbs such as when, where and how also act as links in direct questions.
Substantive subordinate preposition of indirect object : we always give support to those who need it. The link is a + is/who. In this type of sentences the link is the preposition “a” followed by the pronoun who or who; is a sentence that refers to people.
Attribute noun subordinate preposition : my intention is that you can learn to write well. It works as an attribute to the main sentence.
Substantive subordinate preposition of verbal regime complement attribute : I got used to the fact that you never listen to me.
Noun complement noun subordinate preposition: I liked the idea of us going to the theater. Who or what.
Substantive subordinate preposition of adjective complement : Manuel is sure that he will not pass the exam.
More examples of subordinate clauses of nouns
Tell me if you love me
Camilo says you work a lot
There is no hope that he will return
I convinced her to come on Monday
What do you need to analyze a noun subordinate clause?
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Instructions for analyzing a subordinate subordinate clause
- Keep in mind that subordinate clauses depend on the verb of the sentence and therefore, by themselves, do not make sense. “It is very good that everything has been resolved.”
- Now you must divide this complex sentence into subject and predicate. It is possible that the subject is a substantive subordinate clause; You have to take into account that the substantive subordinate clause can appear within the predicate or the subject.
- To distinguish that it is a noun subordinate clause, it must have a conjunction that can be “if” or “that” or an exclamatory or interrogative particle. In the previous sentence you can see the conjunction that.
- Divide the sentence in two, for that it detects the verbs and if there is more than one, you will know that it is a compound sentence. It is very good (main) 2. That it has been solved (subordination), as you can see the second one would not make sense without the first one and the first one could work alone.
- Then look at the link to know what kind of subordinate you are, replace this link with the word “this”, the sentence would look like this “this is very good” as you can see, it is a sentence that makes sense, which indicates that Yes, we are faced with a subordinate clause.
- The nucleus of a complex sentence will be the verb that does not carry a nexus.
- Taking into account that substantive subordinate clauses behave like a noun, they can be replaced by neuter pronouns like this, that, that. Example: that you eat is important; if you substitute for “that’s important” you will see that the sentence still makes sense.
Tips for analyzing a subordinate subordinate clause
- Recognize the noun subordinate clause looking at the link or substitute the pronoun that. They are the two most practical ways you have to recognize it.