Subordinate clause
Which part of the sentence depends on another part?
Merkitys
One part of a sentence can depend on another to say what someone knows, which thing is meant, or why something happens. This lets us build several linked ideas into one sentence. Languages can mark this link with joining words, special verb forms, or word order, and some do not use a separate joining word. Unlike Addition, the parts do not have equal jobs: one supports or completes the other.
Näin tunnistat sen
Look for a smaller message that completes or adds information to another part of the sentence rather than standing as an equal statement.
Opiskeltavalla kielelläsi
English often starts a subordinate clause, a sentence part that depends on another, with a word such as that, because, if, or who. In a question used inside a larger sentence, the subject normally comes before the verb, as in where Emma lives. That can often be left out after verbs such as think, but joining words are not generally optional.
I think the store is closed.
This part tells what the speaker thinks; that could be added before the store.
Do you know where Emma lives?
The inside question uses Emma lives, not does Emma live.
The man who lives next door has a small dog.
This part describes which man is meant.
Learners whose language keeps question word order inside another sentence may use does she live instead of she lives after where. Learners whose language requires a linking word may add that before a question word such as where.