Grammar: Sentence: Combining clauses in a sentence

Binding clauses together (subordination)

How do we recognise a binding relation?

There are several ways of binding an independent clause with a dependent clause. All use a grammatical form: conjunction, non-finite verb, or relative pronoun. Here are some examples of each way of binding:

Binding clauses with a subordinating conjunction

We bind independent clauses with dependent clauses using a 'subordinating conjunction' (while, besides, because, if):

MegaMonster was angry           independent clause because Granny Gong was ruining his evil plans.        dependent clause

When the ghost found no popcorn,        dependent clause he became really grumpy.        independent clause

The subordinating conjunction because in the clause because Granny Gong was ruining his evil plans is a dependent clause, and so the relation between the two clauses is a binding relation. Note that although Granny Gong was ruining his evil plans would be an independent clause if it occurred by itself, here it is a dependent clause because it is introduced by the subordinating conjunction because.

Binding clauses with a non-finite verb

We can also bind independent and dependent clauses using a 'non-finite' verb form (-ing form, to infinitive):

The non-finite verb forms feeling, tired and to catch tell us that these clauses are dependent, and that they are related to the independent clauses by binding.

As always, clauses related by binding can be reversed:

Such non-finite clauses are also referred to as '-ing participial clause' (walking, by walking), '-ed participial clause' (called, driven), and 'to-infinitive clause'. Note that the '-ed participial clause' includes clauses whose verbs end in -ed (called, walked), -en (driven, given) and other irregular endings (gone). 

Binding clauses with a relative pronoun

We can also bind independent and dependent clauses using a 'relative pronoun' (which, who, that, whom):

The relative pronoun in which was a good thing tells us that the clause is dependent, and that the clause is bound to the independent clause Granny was very smart.