California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) Practice Test 2025 - Free CSET Practice Questions and Study Guide

The function of a subordinate clause in a complex sentence is to provide additional information and can serve as a noun, adjective, or adverb. This versatility allows subordinate clauses to enhance the meaning of the main clause in various ways.

When a subordinate clause functions as a noun, it can act as the subject or object in the sentence. For instance, "What she said was surprising." Here, "What she said" is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun.

When functioning as an adjective, a subordinate clause helps to describe a noun, adding clarity and detail. For example, in the sentence "The book that she wrote is excellent," the clause "that she wrote" provides more information about the noun "book."

Finally, as an adverb, a subordinate clause can modify the verb by providing context such as time, reason, or condition. For instance, in "He left because it was late," the clause "because it was late" explains the reason for his action of leaving.

This multifaceted role of subordinate clauses is what enables them to enhance the richness of complex sentences, contributing to more nuanced communication.