The Subordinate Clause and the Complex Sentence
While a compound sentence is made by combining independent clauses, a complex sentence is made by combining an independent clause with one or more subordinate clauses (also called dependent clauses):
Example of a Complex Sentence:
If I finish work early, I'll go shopping.
Identifying Subordinate Clauses
A subordinate clause, like an independent clause, has a subject and a verb, but unlike an independent clause, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Subordinate clauses begin with certain words or short phrases called subordinating words (also known as dependent words, or subordinating/subordinate conjunctions).
If a clause begins with a subordinating word, that clause is a subordinate clause and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
after if what
although in order that whatever
as provided that when
as if since whenever
as long as so that where
because than whereas
before that wherever
even if though whether
even though unless
ever since until
Relative Pronouns are also subordinating words:
who which whomever
whom that whichever
whose whoever
Examples of subordinate clauses:
Although the weather didn't cooperate
As he was in a hurry
If you really want to go
who led the Metis in the North West rebellions