Subordinate clauses

Question

What's right and what's wrong are the questions at the heart of true civilisation.Are there three or two subordinate clauses in this sentance? i.e if there are three 'What's right' 'what's wrong' and 'are the questions at the heart of true civilisation'? also is what's a verb? And what is the verb in the clause 'are the questions at the heart of true civilisation'? 'are' or 'questions'?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

What's right and what's wrong are the questions at the heart of true civilisation.

Are there three or two subordinate clauses in this sentance?

Two. I underlined them.

i.e if there are three 'What's right' 'what's wrong' and 'are the questions at the heart of true civilisation'? also is what's a verb?

What's is short for what is. The verb here is is.

And what is the verb in the clause 'are the questions at the heart of true civilisation'?

'are' or 'questions'? are

James, if you are having trouble identifying words like 'is' and 'are' as verbs, and if you don't realize that 'questions' is a noun because it is preceded by 'the', my opinion is that you are not ready yet to study subordinate clauses.

My advice is that you should spend some time studying sentences that are simpler. You have to understand the basics before you can understand more complicated things. I think you are just going to confuse yourself in all these threads you are posting.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

jamez101,

You should seriously think over what Clive has said above. It's good advice. You may need to review some of the more basic concepts before trying to understand the advanced material.

But we'll try to help, whatever you decide.

CJ

Jamez101 · Answer

I think you're right. I'm currently trying to learn from one book which is informative and I'm learning things but it doesn't break things down very much or give many examples so I'm getting confused by certain topics i.e subordinate clauses. I'm going to get another book in a couple of weeks - essential grammar in use, so hopefully that will help. I'm not trying to skip the basics it's just the book I'm currently reading doesn't break things down into basics the best. Thanks again.

CalifJim · Answer

jamez101I'm going to get another book in a couple of weeks - essential grammar in use, so hopefully that will help.

Good idea! I hope that plan works for you.

CJ

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Let us know if you need any more help, OK?

Clive

Subordinate clauses

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