Subordinate clause
Which part of the sentence depends on another part?
Meaning
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.
How to spot it
Look for a smaller message that completes or adds information to another part of the sentence rather than standing as an equal statement.
In your native language
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.
In your learning language
Spanish links a subordinate clause, a sentence part that depends on another, with words such as que, si, porque, or cuando. A relative clause describes a noun and often starts with que. The verb form depends on the link and meaning: wishes and demands commonly require the subjunctive (subjuntivo), forms such as vengas rather than vienes.
Sé que Ana trabaja aquí.
I know that Ana works here.
La tienda que está al lado de mi casa cierra a las ocho.
The store next to my house closes at eight.
The clause identifies which store is meant.
Quiero que vengas mañana.
I want you to come tomorrow.
Vengas is a subjunctive form used after a wish involving another person.
Learners whose language allows a linking word to be omitted may leave out que after verbs of saying or knowing. Learners whose language has no comparable verb forms may use an ordinary present form after a wish, as in *Quiero que vienes.