subordinativas

Subordinativas refers to subordinate clauses, a category of clauses in many languages that depend on a main clause to form a complete sentence. These clauses cannot stand alone and are used to add information such as content, time, reason, condition, purpose, place, or result. Subordinadas are typically introduced by subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns, and they can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within the sentence.

There are three main kinds of subordinativas. Subordinadas sustantivas (nominal clauses) act as a noun phrase within the sentence, as in “Dijo que vendría” (He said that he would come). Subordinadas adjetivas (relative clauses) modify a noun, as in “El libro que leíste es interesante” (The book that you read is interesting). Subordinadas adverbiales (adverbial clauses) modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and express time, cause, condition, purpose, consequence, or concession, such as “Salí cuando llovía” (I left when it was raining) or “No saldré a menos que termines” (I won’t go out unless you finish).

Conjunctions and pronouns vary by language. In Spanish, common introducers include que, si, cuando, donde, porque, aunque, como, para que, sin que, a menos que. In English, equivalents include that, if, whether, because, when, where, although, since, until. Subordinate clauses have their own subject and verb and often align tense and mood with the main clause; in Spanish, some subordinate clauses after verbs of doubt, desire, or necessity can require the subjunctive mood.

Subordinativas are a foundational tool for constructing complex sentences, enabling nuanced expression across languages while showing clear cross-linguistic variation in form and usage.