Understanding Íslenska Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses are parts of a sentence that add extra information but cannot stand alone. In Icelandic, these clauses help us understand more about the main action or the main clause. Let's explore how they work!
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Important Points
- Relative Clauses: These describe a noun and often start with words like 'sem' (that/which/who).
- Adverbial Clauses: These give more information about the verb, like time, reason, or condition, and often start with words like 'þegar' (when) or 'ef' (if).
- Complement Clauses: These complete the meaning of a verb or adjective and often start with 'að' (that).
How to Identify Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses usually start with a special word that links it to the main clause. This word is called a conjunction. In Icelandic, common conjunctions are 'sem', 'að', 'þegar', and 'ef'.
Examples of Subordinate Clauses
Examples
- Ég veit að þú kemur.
- Hún borðar þegar hún er svöng.
- Þetta er hundurinn sem ég sá.
Tips for Using Subordinate Clauses
Important Points
- Look for conjunctions to spot subordinate clauses.
- Remember, these clauses add extra information to the main clause.
- Practice by creating sentences with different types of subordinate clauses.