Subordination Period

Period composed of subordination... When talking about this subject, the first notion that must necessarily occur to us is that if it is a compound period, it is because there is more than one clause and, consequently, if it is related to subordination, it is because there is a relationship of dependence between the clauses that the make up.

Such dependence is manifested by the syntactic function that a given term of a clause exerts on the other. By analyzing the statement that follows, we will be able to understand in practice what this statement reveals to us. So, let's see:

Wanted orders to be delivered in person.

It appears that the second sentence carries within itself a syntactic term referring to the other (which in this case is the first), that is, the highlighted term represents the direct object of the verb to want, given that "whoever wants, want something". Thus, by demarcating this dependency with the first clause, it is called subordinate.

In view of the function they perform, subordinate clauses are classified into

Subordinate nouns, adjectives and adverbials. Let's look at them in particular:

Subordinate Substantive Sentences

They carry out the functions proper to a noun. Note:

We look forward to your return. We have that “back”, in this case, represents the nucleus of the direct object referring to the verb “to wait”. This can be replaced by a sentence with equivalent syntactic function, now manifested by:

we wait that you come back. (around you)

The highlighted term characterizes a substantive subordinative clause.

According to the classification, the nouns are subdivided into: subjective, direct objective, indirect objective, nominal complement, predicative and apositive, it can also be connectives, juxtaposed or reduced.

At connectives are those introduced by the conjunctions "what" and "if":

We do not know if he will come back soon.
speak that prices will be readjusted again.

juxtaposed – introduced by adverbs or interrogative pronouns (when, who, how, when, among others):

we didn't see who invaded the opposite lane.
I do not know where we can find it again.

reduced – those that are not introduced by a connective, and the verb always takes a nominal form (gerund, participle and infinitive):

we suppose to be the author of the attack. (it is noticed that the verb “to be” takes its original form – infinitive)

Subjective subordinate clauses

They act as the subject of the verb of the main clause:

It's essential that you attend the meeting.
Or. subjective noun

direct goals

They are those that exercise the function of direct object in relation to the verb of the previous clause (main):

we want May you be our partner.
Or. direct objective noun

Indirect Objectives

They act as an indirect object, complementing the verb in the previous sentence:

Remember if that we need to get back early.
Or. indirect objective noun

Nominal complements

They exercise the function of nominal complement of a name of the previous clause:

I have the impression of always being in doubt about something.
Or. Nominal complete noun

Positive

They act as an affixed to a term in the main clause:

I only have one alternative: reveal the whole secret.
Or. apositive noun

Predicates

They act as predicative of the subject of the main clause:

The truth is that he is no longer interested in continuing.
Or. predicative noun

Subordinate adjective clauses

Adjective subordinate clauses perform the proper function of an adjective (adjunct adnominal and explanatory apposition, in some circumstances). Because they add to the noun, or to the pronoun of another sentence, a more important or less important idea, they are classified as restrictive and explanatory. Such clauses are always represented by relative pronouns, now demarcated by "what, which, which, whose, whose, which, which", etc.

restrictive adjectives

They are those that restrict the meaning of the previous term, individualizing it:

The girl that was passing at that moment helped me.

We have that the highlighted term represents the restrictive adjective subordinate clause by referring to that girl in particular – the one who was passing by at that time.

explanatory adjectives

They are characterized by the fact that they highlight or expand data referring to a previous term, significantly expressed:

Rio de Janeiro, which is considered the wonderful city, offers different tourist attractions.

We note that the term demarcated between commas represents the explanatory adverbial subordinate clause.

Returning to the issue of adjective subordinate clauses, they also appear in reduced form, just for this eliminates the relative pronoun and uses the verb in the participle, gerund and, rarely, in the infinitive. Let's look at some examples:

Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)

I visited the cousins ​​who arrived from Europe. I visited the cousins arrived from Europe. (Or. subord. reduced participle adjective)

In this class there are students who strive a lot. In this class there are students trying hard. (Or. subord. reduced adjective of gerund)

Adverbial subordinate clauses

They are those that exercise the function of adverbial adjunct to the verb of the main clause. As with adverbial adjuncts, since their classification occurs through the circumstance that express, also occurs with adverbial subordinates, which are classified into nine groups, studied the follow:

causal

They express the cause, the reason for the fact expressed in the main clause. They are usually introduced by conjunctions: as, since, because, since, since, among others:

as it was raining a lot, we gave up the tour.
Or. causal adverbial

Comparatives

They establish a comparison, whether that of equality, inferiority or superiority, in relation to the term expressed in the main clause. They are introduced by the following conjunctions: as, as, as or as much as, more than or than, as, etc.:

like an angel, slept peacefully.
Or. comparative adverbial

concessional

They are characterized by a breach of expectation, by the idea of ​​contrast, an obstacle, in relation to the term expressed in the main clause. Such clauses are usually introduced by conjunctions: although, even if, however, though, though, among others:

Although he had tried very hard, did not get good results.
Or. adverbial concessive

conforming

They indicate the circumstance of conformity, that is, they reveal the path to be adopted for the execution of what is stated in the previous clause. The conjunctions that introduce them are demarcated by: as, according, second, consonant:

As the teacher requested, we did the research.
Or. conformative adverbial

consecutive

They reveal the consequence of the fact expressed in the main clause, now introduced by the conjunctions: so that, so that, without that, so, so much, so that, etc.:

The storm was such, that the whole city was destroyed.
Or. consecutive adverbial

Conditional

They express a condition for the realization of the fact expressed in the main clause, introduced by the conjunctions: if, case, provided that, unless, provided that, unless, among others:

You may even not attend the meeting, as long as it presents justifications.
Or. conditional adverbial

Endings

They express the intention, the purpose of what is stated in the main clause. Such sentences are integrated by conjunctions: for what, in order for what, why and what:

In order that they could reach a consensus, decided to talk.
Or. final adverbial

Storms

They express the idea of ​​time, referring to simultaneous events, earlier or later, expressed in the main clause. They are introduced by the conjunctions: so what, whenever, whenever, now that, when, while, as soon as, after, etc.:

as soon as you left, they arrived from the tour.
Or. temporal adverbial

Like nouns and adjectives, subordinate adverbials can also appear in reduced form, or that is, devoid of the connective (conjunction), presenting the verb in one of the nominal forms: gerund, infinitive or participle:

doing good deeds, will be respected by everyone.
Or. Conditional adverbial reduced from gerund (provided you practice good deeds...) 

applauded by all, verified the greatness of his work.

Or. Reduced causal adverbial of participle (He found the greatness of his work, since he was applauded by all)

Upon receiving a visit from some friends, saw how much she was loved by everyone.

Or. Temporal adverbial reduced to infinitive (When he received a visit from some friends, he saw how much he was loved by everyone)

Interspersed or interfering prayers

They are characterized by being independent from the syntactic structure of the period. Used with the intention of inserting an observation, caveat, opinion or warning of the issuer, they are always isolated by commas, dash or parentheses:

Let's celebrate, said one of the colleagues, this date is very important for everyone.

The term now expressed between commas (as it could also be between parentheses or dash) represents the modality in question.

By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters
Brazil School Team

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