subordinate clause

noun

, Grammar.

a clause that modifies the principal clause or some part of it or that serves a noun function in the principal clause, as when she arrived in the sentence I was there when she arrived or that she has arrived in the sentence I doubt that she has arrived.

subordinate clause

grammar a clause with an adjectival, adverbial, or nominal function, rather than one that functions as a separate sentence in its own right Compare coordinate clause main clause

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A subordinate clause may be needed if the thought is of great importance.

English is fond of cordination of clauses; Latin prefers to subordinate clause to clause.

And other important matters,—thus again was the weightiest part of the business relegated to a subordinate clause.

The independent part of the sentence is called a principal clause, and the dependent part is called a subordinate clause.

Subordinate clause: Because (as, since) they wished to make the ice smooth, they flooded the pond.

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