3.14: Subordination and Sentence Combining
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- 293711
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Subordination and Sentence Combining
Subordination is used to join two sentences with related ideas by merging them into a main clause (a complete sentence) and a dependent clause. This creates a complex sentence. Coordination allows a writer to give equal weight to the two ideas that are being combined, and subordination enables a writer to emphasize one idea over the other. Take a look at the following sentences:
Example: Farnaz stopped to help the injured man. She would be late for work.
To illustrate that these two ideas are related, we can rewrite them as a single sentence using the subordinating conjunction even though.
Revised Example: Even though Farnaz would be late for work, she stopped to help the injured man.
In the revised sentence, we know have an independent clause (she stopped to help the injured man) that stands as a complete sentence and a dependent clause (Even though Farnaz would be late for work) that is subordinate to the main clause. We could also write the sentence as shown below:
Revised Example: Farnaz stopped to help the injured man even though she would be late for work.
The meaning remains the same in both of the sentences.
Tip: To punctuate sentences correctly, look at the position of the main clause and the subordinate clause. If a subordinate clause preceded the main clause, use a comma. If a subordinate clause follows the main clause, no punctuation is required.
Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction is a word that joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause. Review the following chart of some common subordinating conjunctions and examples of how they are used.
|
Function |
Subordinating Conjunction |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Concession |
although, while, though, whereas, even though |
Sarah completed her report even though she has to stay late to get it done. |
|
Condition |
if, unless, until |
Until we know what is causing the problem, we will not be able to fix it. |
|
Manner |
as if, as though |
Everyone in the conference room stopped talking at once as though they had been stunned into silence. |
|
Place |
where, wherever |
Rita is in San Jose, where she has several important client meetings. |
|
Reason |
because, since, so that, in order that |
Because the air conditioning was turned up so high, everyone in the office wore sweaters. |
|
Time |
after, before, while, once, when |
After the meeting had finished, we all went to lunch. |
Key Takeaways:
- Coordination and subordination join two sentences with related ideas.
- Coordination joins sentences with related and equal ideas, whereas subordination joins sentences with related but unequal ideas.
- Sentences can be coordinated using either a coordinating conjunction and a comma or a conjunctive adverb and a semicolon.
- Subordinate sentences are characterized by the use of the subordinate conjunction.
- In a subordinate sentence, a comma is used to separate the main idea clause from the dependent clause if the dependent clause is placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Combine each sentence pair into a single sentence using either a subordinating conjunction.
Example:
- Tanya wants to get a cat.
- Her husband is allergic to cats.
__Although Tanya wants to get a cat, her husband is allergic to cats..
Pair 1
- Amir wants to go to Mexico with his friends.
- He cannot take any time off.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 2
- A snowstorm disrupted the traffic all over the east coast.
- There will be long delivery delays this week.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 3
- My neighbor had his television volume turned up too high.
- I banged on his door and asked him to keep the noise down.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 4
- Jessica prepared the salad and sauteed the potatoes.
- Brenda marinated the chicken.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 5
- The administrative team meets.
- A decision will be made.
_____________________________________________________________________
Combine each sentence pair using a coordinator, a subordinator, or a conjunctive adverb.
Pair 1
- Heroin is an extremely addictive drug.
- Thousands of heroin addicts die each year.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 2
- Shakespeare’s writing is still relevant today.
- He wrote about timeless themes. These themes include love, hate, jealousy, death and destiny.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 3
- Originally, gay marriage was legal in only six states: Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
- The Supreme Court ruled it was legal in all states.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 4
- Prewriting is a vital stage of the writing process.
- Prewriting helps you organize your ideas. Types of prewriting include outlining, brainstorming, and idea mapping.
_____________________________________________________________________
Pair 5
- Ernest Hemingway is a famous writer.
- His house is in Key West, Florida.
_____________________________________________________________________
Attributions:
Content on this page was adapted from ESL Academic Writing(opens in new window), which was shared under a CC BY (opens in new window)license by Prince George's Community College.