Summary of Subordination

Subordination | Traditional Summary

Contextualization

Subordination is an essential concept in the structure of sentences in the Portuguese language. It refers to a relationship of dependence between the main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. In this type of construction, the subordinate clause complements, specifies, or adds information to the main clause, without which it would not have complete meaning. This relationship is fundamental for constructing more complex and cohesive sentences, allowing for a more detailed and precise expression of ideas.

There are different types of subordinate clauses, each with a specific function in the sentence. Substantive subordinate clauses function as nouns and can be subjective, objective, nominally completive, predicative, or appositive. Adjective subordinate clauses act as adjectives, qualifying or specifying a preceding noun, and can be restrictive or explanatory. Finally, adverbial subordinate clauses serve as adverbs, indicating circumstances such as time, cause, condition, concession, among others. Understanding and identifying these types of clauses is crucial for interpreting texts and producing more elaborate writings.

Substantive Subordinate Clauses

Substantive subordinate clauses are those that perform the function of a noun within the structure of the sentence. These clauses can occupy various syntactic positions in the main clause, such as subject, direct object, indirect object, nominal complement, predicative, and appositive. For example, in the sentence 'It is important that you study', the clause 'that you study' functions as the subject of the verb 'is important'.

These clauses are introduced by integrative subordinative conjunctions, such as 'that' and 'if'. Identifying the syntactic function that the substantive subordinate clause performs is crucial for the grammatical analysis of the sentence. It is important to note that despite being clauses, they fulfill the role of nouns and, therefore, can be replaced by demonstrative pronouns like 'that'.

There are different types of substantive subordinate clauses: subjective, direct objective, indirect objective, nominally completive, predicative, and appositive. Each type plays a specific role in the sentence, contributing to the overall meaning of the statement. Understanding these functions allows for a more detailed and precise analysis of complex syntactic structures.

• They perform the function of a noun in the sentence.

• They can be subjective, direct objective, indirect objective, nominally completive, predicative, and appositive.

• Introduced by integrative subordinative conjunctions like 'that' and 'if'.

Adjective Subordinate Clauses

Adjective subordinate clauses are those that function as adjectives, qualifying or specifying a preceding noun. They are introduced by relative pronouns such as 'that', 'who', 'which', 'whose', 'where', among others. For example, in the sentence 'The book that you lent me is interesting', the clause 'that you lent me' specifies the noun 'book'.

These clauses can be classified into two types: restrictive and explanatory. Restrictive clauses limit or restrict the meaning of the noun they refer to, without commas, as in 'The students who study pass the year'. Explanatory clauses provide additional information, usually set off by commas, as in 'The students, who study a lot, pass the year'.

Understanding the difference between restrictive and explanatory adjective subordinate clauses is essential for the correct interpretation and production of texts. Restrictive clauses are fundamental for identifying and specifying elements within a group, while explanatory clauses provide additional information that, though relevant, is not essential for identifying the preceding noun.

• They perform the function of an adjective, qualifying or specifying a noun.

• Introduced by relative pronouns such as 'that', 'who', 'which', 'whose', 'where'.

• Classified as restrictive (without commas) and explanatory (with commas).

Adverbial Subordinate Clauses

Adverbial subordinate clauses perform the function of an adverb, indicating circumstances such as time, cause, condition, concession, among others. They are introduced by adverbial subordinative conjunctions, such as 'when', 'because', 'if', 'although', 'as soon as', 'as', among others. For example, in the sentence 'When he arrived, everyone stood up', the clause 'When he arrived' indicates a circumstance of time.

These clauses are classified according to the type of circumstance they express: causal, conditional, concessive, temporal, final, proportional, comparative, and consecutive. Each type plays a specific role in constructing the meaning of the main clause, adding important information that modifies or complements the main action.

Understanding adverbial subordinate clauses is fundamental for interpreting texts because they provide crucial details about the circumstances in which actions occur. Furthermore, correctly using these clauses in written production allows for clearer and more precise communication, enriching writing with detailed information about time, cause, condition, among others.

• They perform the function of an adverb, indicating circumstances in the sentence.

• Introduced by adverbial subordinative conjunctions such as 'when', 'because', 'if', 'although'.

• Classified as causal, conditional, concessive, temporal, final, proportional, comparative, and consecutive.

Identification and Analysis of Subordinate Clauses

Identifying and analyzing subordinate clauses is an essential skill for understanding and producing complex texts. Identification involves recognizing the main clause and the subordinate one, as well as the conjunction or relative pronoun that connects them. In addition, it is necessary to determine the syntactic function of the subordinate clause in the sentence by classifying it correctly.

The analysis of subordinate clauses involves a detailed understanding of the dependency relationships they establish with the main clause. This includes understanding how each type of subordinate clause contributes to the overall meaning of the sentence, whether by adding information, specifying elements, or indicating circumstances. For example, in the sentence 'He said he would come, if he could', we have a substantive subordinate clause that is a direct object ('that he would come') and a conditional adverbial subordinate clause ('if he could').

The process of identification and analysis is fundamental for text interpretation, especially in academic contexts such as entrance exams and standardized tests. It allows for a more attentive and detailed reading, facilitating the understanding of nuances and implied meanings in complex structures. In addition, this skill is crucial for producing cohesive and coherent texts, where the appropriate use of subordinate clauses enriches communication.

• Recognize the main clause and the subordinate one, as well as the conjunction or relative pronoun that connects them.

• Determine the syntactic function of the subordinate clause in the sentence and classify it correctly.

• Detailed understanding of dependency relationships and how each type of subordinate clause contributes to the overall meaning of the sentence.

To Remember

• Subordination: A relationship of dependence between a main clause and a subordinate clause.

• Subordinate Clause: A clause that depends on another (main clause) to complete its meaning.

• Substantive Subordinate Clause: A clause that performs the function of a noun in the sentence.

• Adjective Subordinate Clause: A clause that functions as an adjective, qualifying or specifying a preceding noun.

• Adverbial Subordinate Clause: A clause that performs the function of an adverb, indicating circumstances such as time, cause, condition, among others.

• Main Clause: A clause that has complete meaning and from which the subordinate clause depends.

• Subordinative Conjunction: A word that introduces the subordinate clause, establishing the dependence relationship with the main clause.

• Relative Pronoun: A word that introduces adjective subordinate clauses, connecting them to the main clause.

Conclusion

During the lesson, we addressed the subordination of clauses, understanding its structure and importance in constructing complex and cohesive sentences. We discussed the different types of subordinate clauses: substantive, adjective, and adverbial, each with its specific characteristics and functions in the sentence. We exemplified and analyzed various cases, highlighting how these clauses complement, specify, or add information to the main clause, enriching the overall meaning of the statement.

Understanding subordinate clauses is essential for interpreting texts, especially in academic contexts such as entrance exams and standardized tests. This skill allows for a more detailed reading, facilitating the identification of nuances and implied meanings in complex constructions. Furthermore, the correct use of these clauses in written production contributes to clearer and more precise communication, which is essential for writing cohesive and coherent texts.

Reinforcing the importance of the topic, we encourage students to explore more about subordinate clauses, as this knowledge is fundamental not only for academic success but also for effective communication in daily life. The ability to identify and correctly use subordinate clauses allows for expressing ideas in a more detailed and precise manner, enriching both understanding and the production of texts.

Study Tips

• Review the examples given in class and try to create your own sentences using different types of subordinate clauses. This will help solidify knowledge and identify patterns.

• Read various texts, such as articles, chronicles, and stories, and practice identifying the subordinate clauses present. Try classifying each one and analyzing its function in the sentence.

• Complete exercises proposed in the textbook and supplementary materials. Constant practice is fundamental to solidifying the understanding and application of subordinate clauses.