Subordinate Clause – Meaning, Definition & Types with Examples

Subordinate Clause (आश्रित उपवाक्य) : आश्रित उपवाक्य, एक ऐसा उपवाक्य (Clause) होता है जो मुख्य उपवाक्य (Principal Clause) पर निर्भर होता है अर्थात् स्वतंत्र नहीं होता है एवम् किसी न किसी योजक से जुड़ा होता है। इसके द्वारा प्रायः मिश्रित वाक्य (Complex Sentence) का निर्माण होता है।

Meaning and Definition

Subordinate Clause: आश्रित उपवाक्य (Subordinate Clause) वह उपवाक्य होता है जो अपना अर्थ स्पष्ट करने के लिए किसी अन्य उपवाक्य (Clause) पर निर्भर होता है।

A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a type of clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

उदाहरण के लिए-

1. I know that you are a good boy.
2. He came when I was sleeping.
3. Where is the boy who helped you yesterday?

उपर्युक्त वाक्यों में गहरे रंग के शब्दों से Subordinate Clauses बनी हैं।

उदाहरण 1 में निम्नलिखित दो Clauses हैं-

1. I know. (Principal clause)
2. That you are a good boy. (Subordinate clause)

दूसरी Clause (That you are a good boy = कि तुम एक अच्छे लड़के हो) अपने अर्थ को स्पष्ट करने के लिए पहली Clause (I know = मुझे ज्ञात है।) पर निर्भर है।

अतः That you are a good boy- Subordinate Clause हुई और सम्पूर्ण वाक्य Complex Sentence हुआ।

Kinds Of Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate Clauses (आश्रित उपवाक्य) तीन प्रकार की होती हैं-

1. Noun Clause (संज्ञा उपवाक्य)
2. Adjective Clause (विशेषण उपवाक्य)
3. Adverb Clause (क्रिया-विशेषण उपवाक्य)

THE NOUN CLAUSE

Noun Clause (संज्ञा उपवाक्य) वाक्य में संज्ञा (Noun) का कार्य करती है; जैसे-

• He said that Hari helped Hamid. (इस वाक्य में “That Hari helped Hamid” Noun Clause है क्योंकि यह ‘said’ क्रिया का Object (कर्म) है।)
• Life is what we make it. (इस वाक्य में “What we make it” Noun Clause है क्योंकि यह ‘is’ क्रिया का Complement (पूरक) है।)
• There is no meaning in what you say. (इस वाक्य में “What you say” Noun Clause है क्योंकि यह ‘in‘ Preposition का कर्म (Object) है अर्थात यह in द्वारा सम्बन्धित (governed) है।)
• It is clear that he was guilty. (इस वाक्य में “That he was guilty” Noun Clause है क्योंकि यह ‘It’ का Case in Apposition है।
• What he said was true. (इस वाक्य में “What he said” Noun Clause है क्योंकि यह ‘was’ क्रिया का कर्ता (Subject) है।)

अंतिम वाक्य में निम्नलिखित दो Clauses हैं-

1. It was true. (Principal clause)
2. What he said. (Noun clause, Subject to the verb ‘was’ in clause)

THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE (Relative Clause)

Adjective Clause : विशेषण उपवाक्य (Adjective clause) वाक्य में विशेषण का कार्य करता है; जैसे-

• We love them who love us. (इस वाक्य में “Who love us” Adjective Clause है । यह Principal Clause के Pronoun ‘them’ की विशेषता प्रकट करती है।)
• I know the man who came here yesterday. (इस वाक्य में “Who came here yesterday” Adjective Clause है जो Principal Clause के Noun “man” की विशेषता प्रकट करती है।
• The fort which is in Agra, was built by Akbar.

अंतिम वाक्य में निम्नलिखित दो Clauses हैं-

1. The fort was built by Akbar. (Principal clause)
2. Which is in Agra. (Adjective clause, Qualifying the noun ‘fort‘ in clause)

इस वाक्य में “Which is in Agra” नामक Adjective Clause के कारण Principal Clause “The fort was built by Akbar” दो भागों में विभाजित है।

Adjective Clause विशेषण उपवाक्य-Who, Which, Whose, That आदि Relative Pronouns से तथा When, Where, Why, How आदि Relative Adverb से बनती है।

THE ADVERB CLAUSE (Adverbial Clause)

Adverb Clause :क्रिया-विशेषण उपवाक्य (Adverb Clause) वह उपवाक्य होता है जो वाक्य में क्रिया-विशेषण (Adverb) का कार्य करता है; जैसे-

• He passed because he worked hard. (इस वाक्य में “Because he worked hard” Adverb Clause है क्योंकि यह कारण (Reason) प्रकट करती है।)
• He came after I had slept. (“इस वाक्य में After I had slept” Adverb Clause है क्योंकि इससे समय (Time) प्रकट होता है।)

Adverb Clause द्वारा समय (Time), स्थान (Place), शर्त (Condition), प्रभाव (Effect), कारण (Reason), कार्यविधि (Manner), तुलना (Comparison) तथा रिआयत (Concession) आदि भाव प्रकट होते हैं; जैसे-

• When he came, father was reading a paper. (Time)
• He may sit wherever he likes. (Place)
• If it rains, I shall not go out. (Condition)
• She is so tired that she cannot work. (Effect)
• I could not work as I was ill. (Reason)
• Do as you please. (Manner)
• You are older than you look. (Comparison)
• Though he is rich, he is not proud. (Concession)

उपर्युक्त वाक्यों में गहरे रंग के शब्दों से Adverb clauses व्यक्त हो रही हैं।

Frequently Asked Questions from Subordinate Clause

What is a subordinate clause?

A subordinate clause is a type of clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it relies on another independent clause to form a complete thought. It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence and is introduced by subordinating conjunctions.

What is the difference between a subordinate clause and an independent clause?

The main difference between a subordinate clause and an independent clause is that a subordinate clause relies on another clause to form a complete sentence, while an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Subordinate clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions and function as dependent parts of a sentence.

What are some examples of subordinating conjunctions used to introduce subordinate clauses?

Some examples of subordinating conjunctions used to introduce subordinate clauses include “although,” “because,” “while,” “if,” “since,” “when,” “where,” “whether,” and “that.” These conjunctions indicate the relationship between the subordinate clause and the main clause.

What are the different types of subordinate clauses?

There are three main types of subordinate clauses: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses. Noun clauses function as nouns within a sentence, adjective clauses modify nouns, and adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

How do subordinate clauses contribute to sentence structure and meaning?

Subordinate clauses add depth and complexity to sentences by providing additional information, explaining relationships, and adding detail. They help to clarify meaning, provide context, and show cause and effect relationships within a sentence. Subordinate clauses play an important role in creating well-structured and coherent sentences.