Want to make your Spanish sound more sophisticated and fluent? Start using subordinate clauses! These dependent clauses add depth and detail to your sentences, allowing you to express more complex ideas. Let’s break down what they are and how they work.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
In Spanish, subordinate clauses (or cláusulas subordinadas) are like building blocks for longer sentences. They can’t stand on their own, but they add key information to the main part of the sentence.
There are three main types:
1. Noun Clauses (Cláusulas Sustantivas)
Think of these like the “noun” of a sentence. They can act as the subject or object of the main verb.
Examples:
- Subject: Que llegues tarde no me sorprende. (That you arrive late doesn’t surprise me.)
- Object: Espero que vengas a la fiesta. (I hope that you come to the party.)
2. Adjectival Clauses (Cláusulas Adjetivas)
Also known as relative clauses, these describe or give more information about a noun in the main sentence.
Example:
- El libro que estoy leyendo es muy interesante. (The book that I’m reading is very interesting.)
3. Adverbial Clauses (Cláusulas Adverbiales)
These clauses act like adverbs, adding details about time, place, manner, reason, condition, and more.
Examples:
- Time: Llamaré cuando llegue a casa. (I’ll call when I get home.)
- Condition: Si llueve, nos quedaremos en casa. (If it rains, we’ll stay at home.)
Important Things to Remember
- Conjunctions are Key: These clauses often start with words like que (that), si (if), cuando (when), donde (where), etc. These are your signposts for a subordinate clause!
- Verb Tenses Matter: Sometimes, the verb in the subordinate clause needs to be in the subjunctive mood. This depends on the main clause and the type of subordinate clause.
- No Commas Needed: Unlike in English, you usually don’t need a comma to separate subordinate clauses from the main clause in Spanish.
- Word Order is Flexible: You can sometimes move subordinate clauses around in the sentence for emphasis.
Level Up Your Spanish
Mastering subordinate clauses is a fantastic way to express yourself more clearly and fluently in Spanish. Keep practicing with different types of clauses and you’ll soon be building beautiful, complex sentences like a pro! ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)