Subordinate Clauses

Question

Does lining up subordinate clauses allways mean that they are cascaded or can I put several subordinate clauses in a line that all directly refer to the preceding main clause?

Like in : They took the bus, although they could have taken their car, because the bus was more comfortable

I assume the subordinate clauses can only be properly assigned to their target semantically and not syntactically but I have to be sure.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Generally: yes.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes lining them up means there are cascaded or yes they might refer to the same superordinate clause?

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouscan I put several subordinate clauses in a line that all directly refer to the preceding main clause?

Yes, as in your 'bus' example. That's OK.

AnonymousI assume the subordinate clauses can only be properly assigned to their target semantically and not syntactically

Most readers/listeners will be able to sort it out. Nevertheless there is always the chance of creating ambiguity, but that possibility exists for any sentence. Here's one that has to be sorted out semantically, or maybe we should say by applying common sense.

I knew that Nixon was going to resign because my sister works at the White House.

CJ

Subordinate Clauses

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions