What is Subordination? For Bankura University Students

What is Subordination?

Subordination is the process of linking two clauses in a sentence to indicate that one clause (the dependent clause) is less important than the other (the main clause). This creates a hierarchical relationship between the clauses, where the main clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, but the dependent clause cannot.

### Subordination Explained

**Main Clause**: This is the independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

- Example: "I went to the store."

**Dependent Clause**: This is the clause that depends on the main clause for its meaning. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

- Example: "because I needed milk."

When you combine these two using subordination, you get a complex sentence:

- "I went to the store because I needed milk."

### Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are the words used to link the dependent clause to the main clause. Common subordinating conjunctions include:

- **Time**: after, before, when, while, since, until

  - "I waited until he finished his homework."

- **Reason**: because, since, as

  - "She stayed home because she was sick."

- **Condition**: if, unless, provided that, as long as

  - "You can go out if you finish your chores."

- **Concession**: although, though, even though, whereas

  - "Although it was raining, we went for a walk."

- **Purpose**: so that, in order that

  - "He whispered so that he wouldn’t wake the baby."

### Examples of Subordination

1. **Time**:

   - "We will start dinner when Dad gets home."

2. **Reason**:

   - "She was happy because she won the prize."

3. **Condition**:

   - "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."

4. **Concession**:

   - "Though it was late, he continued to work."

5. **Purpose**:

   - "She left early so that she could catch the train."

### Why Use Subordination?

Subordination helps to create complex and nuanced sentences, allowing writers and speakers to express more detailed and specific ideas. By showing the relationship between different pieces of information, subordination adds depth and clarity to communication.