If she is ambitious, don’t try to hold her back.
Clauses are explained in Chapters 3 and 5.
conjunctions
8.2 When you put two clauses into one sentence, you use a conjunction to link them and to show the relationship between them.
When he stopped, no one said anything.
They were going by car because it was more comfortable.
The telephone rang and Judy picked it up.
The food looked good, but I was too full to eat.
8.3 There are two types of conjunction. They show the different types of relationship between clauses in a sentence.
subordinating conjunctions
8.4 When you are adding a clause in order to develop an aspect of what you are saying, you use a subordinating conjunction.
The cat jumped onto my father’s lap while he was reading his letters.
He had cancer although it was detected at an early stage.
When the jar was full, he turned the water off.
A clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction is called a subordinate clause.
When an atom is split, it releases neutrons.
If he had won, he would have shared the money.
The house was called Sea View, although there were no sea anywhere in sight.
You can also add subordinate clauses to questions and imperative clauses.
How long is it since you’ve actually taught?
Make a plan before you start.
Sentences containing a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses are often called complex sentences.
There are three main kinds of subordinate clause:
Adverbial clauses: these are dealt with in paragraphs 8.6 to 8.82.
Relative clauses: these are dealt with in paragraphs 8.83 to 8.116.
Nominal that-clauses: those relating to reported speech and thought are referred to as reported clauses, and are dealt with in Chapter 7; those relating to facts are dealt with in paragraphs 8.117 to 8.128.
coordinating conjunctions
8.5 If you are simply linking clauses, you use a coordinating conjunction.
Her son lives at home and has a steady job.
He’s a shy man, but he’s not scared of anything or anyone.
You can also put coordinating conjunctions between questions and between imperative clauses.
Did you buy those curtains or do you make your own?
Visit your local dealer or phone for a brochure.
Clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction are called coordinate clauses.
She turned and left the room.
Sentences that contain coordinate clauses are sometimes called compound sentences.
A full explanation of coordinate clauses is given in paragraphs 8.149 to 8.163. Other uses of coordinating conjunctions are explained in paragraphs 8.164 to 8.201.
Adverbial clauses
8.6 There are eight types of adverbial clause:
type of clause usual conjunction paragraphs time clauses when, before, after since, while, as, until paragraphs 8.8 to 8.24 conditional clauses if, unless paragraphs 8.25 to 8.42 purpose clauses in order to, so that paragraphs 8.43 to 8.48 reason clauses because, since, as paragraphs 8.49 to 8.53 result clauses so that paragraphs 8.54 to 8.64 concessive clauses although, though, while paragraphs 8.65 to 8.72 place clauses where, wherever paragraphs 8.73 to 8.77 clauses of manner as, like, the way paragraphs 8.78 to 8.82
Non-finite clauses, when they begin with a subordinating conjunction, are dealt with in the sections dealing with adverbial clauses. Non-finite clauses that do not begin with a subordinating conjunction are dealt with separately in paragraphs 8.129 to 8.145. Other structures that function like non-finite clauses are described in paragraphs 8.146 to 8.148.
position of adverbial clause
8.7 The usual position for an adverbial clause is just after the main clause.
I couldn’t think of a single thing to say after he’d replied like that.
The performances were cancelled because the leading man was ill.
However, most types of adverbial clause can be put in front of a main clause.
When the city is dark, we can move around easily.
Although crocodiles are inactive for long periods, on occasion they can run very fast indeed.
Occasionally, you can put an adverbial clause in the middle of another clause.
They make allegations which, when you analyse them, do not have too many facts behind them.
There are a few types of adverbial clause that always go after a main clause; other types always go in front of one. This is explained in the sections dealing with the different types of clause.
Time clauses: When I was young, …
8.8 Time clauses are used for saying when something happens, by referring to a period of time or to another event.
Her father died when she was young.
Stocks of food cannot be brought in before the rains start.
He was detained last Monday after he returned from a business trip overseas. When I first arrived I didn’t know anyone.
Time clauses can be used after time adverbials.
We’ll give him his presents tomorrow, before he goes to school.
I want to see you for a few minutes at twelve o’clock, when you go to lunch.
Time adverbials are explained in Chapter 4.
tenses in time clauses
8.9 When you are talking about the past or the present, the verb in a time clause has the same tense that it would have in a main clause or in a simple sentence.
I was standing by the window when I heard her speak.
I look after the children while she goes to Denver.
However, if the time clause refers to something that will happen or exist in the future, you use the present simple, not the future.
For example, you say When he comes, I will show him the book, not When he will come, I will show him the book.
As soon as we get the tickets, we’ll send them to you.
He wants to see you before he dies.