Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses is one of three types of subordination of secondary (or dependent) parts in each type. Each type has its own subtleties and tricks, knowing which you can easily determine this type.
Homogeneous, consistent and parallel subordination subordinate clauses
All three types characterize the order in which the answer to the question posed from the main part of the sentence occurs. It is worth noting that there can be (and most often is) several subordinate parts and they can stand both in front of the main part and after it.
Homogeneous subordination of subordinate clauses is a subordination when all minor parts answer the same question. As a rule, such clauses have one common conjunction or For example: “Mom told me that everything would be fine and that she would buy me a doll.” In this case, you can see one common conjunction “what”. However, there are also cases when the conjunction is omitted, but it is implied. An example is the following sentence: “Nastya noticed that he was looking at her and there was a blush on his cheeks.” In this version, the conjunction is omitted, but the meaning remains the same. It is very important to see this omitted conjunction clearly, as such sentences often appear in the exam.
Consecutive subordination of subordinate clauses is such a subordination when the secondary members answer the question of their “predecessor”, that is, questions are asked from each part of the sentence to the subsequent member. For example: “I am sure that if I get an excellent score, I will enter a good educational institution" The sequence is clearly expressed here: I am sure (of what?), that..., then (what will happen?).
Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses is a type of subordination when the secondary parts refer to one thing. They do not answer one question, but together they explain the meaning of the main statement. It is advisable to draw up diagrams of this kind so as not to make mistakes in determining the type. So, submissions: “When the cat jumped out of the window, Masha pretended that nothing bad had happened.” So, the main part is the middle of the sentence (and from it you can ask a question both to the first subordinate clause and to the second): Masha pretended (when?) and (what happened then?). It is worth noting that a simple complex sentence will not contain any of the types of subordination presented above. As a rule, they are built only between parts.
Thus, we can conclude that in a complex sentence the dependent parts have three types of attachment: homogeneous, sequential and parallel subordination of subordinate clauses. Each type determines the dependence on the main member and the connection with the same secondary parts. To correctly identify this type, you just need to ask the question correctly and draw diagrams of complex sentences, indicating these same questions with arrows. After a visual drawing, everything will immediately become clear.
And everything connected with it is studied in school course Russian language, and is also included in the examination paper.
Options for subordinating dependent parts (including sequential subordination of subordinate clauses) will be discussed below.
Complex sentence: types of subordinate clauses
A complex sentence is a sentence where there are two or more grammar basics, one of which is the main one, the rest are dependent. For example, the fire went out(main part), when morning came(dependent part). Subordinate, or dependent, clauses can be different types, it all depends on the question that is asked from the main clause to the dependent one. Yes, when asked Which the dependent part is considered definitive: the forest (which one?) in which we walked has thinned out. If a question of circumstance is attached to the dependent part, then the subordinate part is defined as adverbial. Finally, if the question is to the dependent part - one of the questions indirect cases, then the subordinate clause is called explanatory.
Complex sentence: several subordinate clauses
Often in texts and exercises there are several subordinate clauses. At the same time, not only the subordinate clauses themselves can be different, but also the way they are subordinated to the main sentence or to each other.
| Name | Description | Example |
| Parallel subordination | The main clause includes dependent parts of different types. | When the ice broke, fishing began, which the men had been waiting for all winter.(Main sentence: fishing began. First adverbial clause: started (when?); second clause attribute: fishing (what kind?). |
| Homogeneous Subordination | The main clause includes dependent parts of the same type. | Everyone knows how BAM was built and how dearly the people paid for it.(Main sentence: everybody knows. It includes both subordinate explanatory clauses: how BAM was built And how dearly the people paid for it. Subordinate clauses are homogeneous, since they refer to a single word - it is known one question is asked to them: it is known that?) |
| Consistent submission | The main clause includes one subordinate clause, on which other subordinate clauses depend. | He guessed that they didn't like the movie they saw.(From main sentence he guessed one clause depends: that they didn't like the film. Another thing depends on the subordinate clause related to the main clause: which they watched. |
Determining parallel, homogeneous, sequential subordination of subordinate clauses is a task that causes difficulties for students. When solving this question, you must first find the main sentence, and then, by asking questions from it, determine the nature of the subordination.
Subordination and sequential subordination
In complex sentences, in which there are several predicative stems, there may be subordination of subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses are subordinate clauses that depend on a single main clause. Consecutive subordination is different from subordination. The fact is that in complex sentences with sequential subordination, not all subordinate clauses depend on the main clause, that is, there is no subordination in them.
It is not an easy task to determine the types of subordinate clauses, especially in sentences with sequential subordination. The question is how to find consistent subordination of subordinate clauses.
- Read the proposal carefully.
- Highlight grammatical basics.
- Determine whether the sentence is complex. In other words, find out whether there is a main and dependent parts, or whether the parts of a complex sentence are equal.
- Identify subordinate clauses that relate directly to the main clause.
- The subordinate part, which is not related in meaning to the main sentence, will refer to another part, dependent on the main sentence. This is the sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
By following this algorithm, you can quickly find the sentence specified in the task.
The main thing is to know the answer to the question, sequential subordination of subordinate clauses - what is it? This is a complex sentence, where a subordinate clause depends on the main clause, which is the main one for another subordinate clause.
Sentence structure with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses
The most interesting structurally is a complex sentence with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses. A chain of interdependent clauses can be located both outside the main clause and inside it.
The day they spent in the sunny city, where there are many historical monuments, will be remembered forever.
Here is the main offer they will remember the day forever encircles subordinate clauses connected to each other. The subordinate clause depends on the main clause which they spent in the sunny city. This subordinate clause is the main one for the subordinate clause where there are many historical monuments. Therefore, this is a sequential subordination of clauses. In another sentence He saw the owner scolding his cat for catching a chicken the main clause is located outside the subordinate clauses.
Examples of sequential subordination of subordinate clauses
Consistent subordination of subordinate parts is used as in colloquial speech, and in writing. Such sentences are found in works fiction. For example, A.S. Pushkin: Natalya Gavrilovna was famous at the assemblies for being the best dancer, which was... the reason for the misconduct of Korsakov, who the next day came to apologize to Gavrilo Afanasyevich; at L.N. Tolstoy: I remembered how once he thought that his husband had found out and was preparing for a duel... in which he intended to shoot into the air; from I.A Bunin: And when I looked up, it seemed to me again... that this silence was a mystery, part of what is beyond the knowable.
Complex sentences may have not one, but several subordinate clauses.
Complex sentences with two or more subordinate clauses are of two main types:
1) all subordinate clauses are attached directly to the main clause;
2) the first subordinate clause is attached to the main clause, the second - to the first subordinate clause, etc.
I. Subordinate clauses that are attached directly to the main clause can be homogeneous and heterogeneous.
1. Complex sentences with homogeneous subordination subordinate clauses.
With this subordination, all subordinate clauses refer to one word in the main clause or to the entire main clause, answer the same question and belong to the same type of subordinate clause. Homogeneous subordinate clauses can be connected with each other by coordinating conjunctions or without conjunctions (only with the help of intonation). The connections of homogeneous subordinate clauses with the main clause and among themselves resemble the connections of homogeneous members of the sentence.
For example:
[I came to you with greetings, to tell you], (that the sun has risen), (that it fluttered with hot light across the sheets). (A. Fet.)
[That, (who lives real life), (who has been accustomed to poetry since childhood),forever believes in the life-giving, full of reason Russian language]. (N. Zabolotsky.)
[At the end of May, the young bear was drawn to her native place], (where she was born) And ( where the months of childhood were so memorable).
In a complex sentence with homogeneous subordination, the second subordinate clause may lack a subordinating conjunction.
For example: ( If there is water) And ( there won't be a single fish in it), [I won't trust the water]. (M. Prishvin.) [ Let's shudder], (if suddenly a bird flies up) or ( an elk will trumpet in the distance). (Yu. Drunina.)
2. Complex sentences with heterogeneous subordination subordinate clauses (or with parallel subordination). With this subordination, subordinate clauses include:
a) to different words of the main sentence or one part to the entire main sentence, and the other to one of its words;
b) to one word or to the entire main clause, but answer different questions and are different types of subordinate clauses.
For example: ( When in my hands A new book ), [I feel], (that something living, speaking, wonderful came into my life). (M. Gorky.)
(If we turn to the best examples prose), [then we'll make sure], (that they are full of true poetry). (K. Paustovsky.)
[From the world (which is called children's), the door leads into space], (where they have lunch and tea) (Chekhov).
II. Complex sentences with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
This type of complex sentences with two or more subordinate clauses includes those in which subordinate clauses form a chain: the first subordinate clause refers to the main clause (clause of the 1st degree), the second subordinate clause refers to the subordinate clause of the 1st degree (clause of the 2nd degree), etc.
For example: [ The young Cossacks rode vaguely and held back their tears.], (because they were afraid of their father), (who was also somewhat embarrassed), (although I tried not to show it). (N. Gogol)
The specificity of subordinate parts is that each of them is subordinate in relation to the previous one and main in relation to the following one.
For example: Often in the fall I would closely watch the falling leaves to catch that imperceptible split second when a leaf separates from a branch and begins to fall to the ground.(Paustovsky).
With sequential subordination, one clause can be inside another; in this case, there may be two subordinating conjunctions nearby: what and if, what and when, what and since, etc.
For example: [ The water came down so scary], (What, (when the soldiers ran below), raging streams were already flying after them) (M. Bulgakov).
There are also complex sentences with a combined type of subordination of subordinate clauses.
For example: ( When the chaise left the yard), [he (Chichikov) looked back and saw], (that Sobakevich was still standing on the porch and, it seemed, was looking closely, wanting to find out), (where will the guest go). (Gogol)
This is a complex sentence with parallel and sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
Punctuation marks in a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
A comma is placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses not connected by coordinating conjunctions.
For example: I realized that I was lying in bed , that I'm sick , that I was only delirious.(Cupr.)
I envy those who spent their lives in battle , who defended a great idea.(EU)
We remember the great hour when the guns fell silent for the first time , when all the people met victory both in the cities and in every village.(Isak.)
Comma not placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses connected by a single connecting conjunction (regardless of whether there is a subordinating conjunction or a conjunctive word with both subordinate clauses or only with the first).
For example: I believe that nothing passes without a trace and that every smallest step we take matters for our present and future life.(Ch.)
The militia brought Prince Andrei to the forest where the trucks were parked and where there was a dressing station.(L.T.)
When the rain began to fall and everything around sparkled, we followed the path... came out of the forest.(M.P.).
When repeated coordinating conjunctions A comma is placed between subordinate clauses.
For example: Everyone found out that the lady had arrived, and that Kapitonich let her in , and that she is now in the nursery...(L.T.).
Unions either... or when connecting predicative parts of a complex sentence, they are considered repeating, and homogeneous subordinate clauses are separated by a comma, which is placed before or.
For example: Whether there were weddings in the city, or someone cheerfully celebrating name days, Pyotr Mikhailovich always talked about it with pleasure.(Writing).
In case of heterogeneous subordination, subordinate clauses are separated or separated by commas.
For example: As soon as the heat passed, the forest began to get cold and dark so quickly that I didn’t want to stay in it.(T.)
Anyone who has not experienced the excitement of the barely audible breathing of a sleeping young woman will not understand what tenderness is. (Paust.).
With sequential and mixed subordination, a comma is placed between subordinate clauses according to the same rules as between the main and subordinate clause.
For example: If only our wanderers could be under their own roof , if only they could know , what happened to Grisha.(Necr.)
Helen smiled with such a look , who spoke , that she did not allow the possibility , so that anyone can see her and not be admired.(L.T.)
Any , who in life fought for the happiness of being yourself , knows , that the strength and success of this struggle depend on confidence , with which the seeker goes to the goal(M.P.)
A comma is placed between two adjacent subordinating conjunctions or between a conjunctive word and a subordinating conjunction, as well as when a coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, if the internal clause is not followed by the second part of the double conjunction this or that.
For example: The bear fell in love with Nikita so much that , When he went somewhere, the animal anxiously sniffed the air.(M.G.)
We were warned that , If If the weather is bad, the excursion will not take place.
The night is over and , When the sun rose, all nature came to life.
The removal of the second (internal) part here does not require the restructuring of the first subordinate part.
If the subordinate clause is followed by the second part of a complex conjunction then, so, then a comma is not placed between the preceding two conjunctions.
For example: The blind man knew that the sun was looking into the room and that if he stretched his hand out the window, dew would fall from the bushes.(Cor.)
I thought that if at this decisive moment I did not out-argue the old man, then later it would be difficult for me to free myself from his tutelage.(P.).
Removing or rearranging the subordinate clause (if he reaches out his hand through the window and if at this decisive moment I don’t argue with the old man) is impossible, since parts of the double conjunction something will be nearby.
Dash in a complex sentence
Between the subordinate part (group of subordinate clauses) and the subsequent main part of the sentence Maybeput a dash , if a subordinate clause or a group of subordinate clauses preceding the main clause is pronounced with logical emphasis on an informatively important word and with a deep pause before the main part (usually this is how subordinate explanatory clauses are distinguished, less often - conditional, concessive, etc.).
For example: Where did Nelidova go?- Natasha didn’t know(Paust.); And if you look at them for a long time– the rocks began to move and crumble(Ast.); Did he call them, did they come on their own?– Nejdanov never found out...(T.).
A dash is placed also between the subordinate and main parts in similarly constructed parallel complex sentences.
For example: He who is cheerful laughs, he who wants will achieve it, he who seeks will always find!(OK.).
A dash is placed after the subordinate clause standing before the main clause, if it contains the words this, here, and also if the subordinate clause is an incomplete sentence.
For example: That she is an honest person is clear to me.(T.)
What he found in her is his business.
Where is he now, what is he doing - these are the questions that I could not answer.
I answered something that - I don’t know myself(compare full - what did I answer).
A dash is placed between subordinate clauses in the absence of an adversative conjunction or the second part of a comparative conjunction between them.
For example: Artistry is so that every word is not only in place - so that it is necessary, inevitable and so that there are as few words as possible(Black).
A dash is placed to clarify the nature of the subordinate clause.
For example: Only once did she perk up - when Mika told her that ditties were sung at yesterday's wedding.(R. Zernova)
A dash is placed to enhance the interrogative nature of the sentence while emphasizing the unusual location of the subordinate part before the main one or the intonation separation of the main part from the subsequent subordinate clause.
For example: What is influence?- You know?; Are you sure – is this necessary?
A dash is also placed when there are an abundance of commas, against which the dash acts as a more expressive sign.
For example: But we gained experience , and for the experience , as the saying goes , no matter how much you pay, you won’t overpay.
Comma and dash in a complex sentence
Comma And dash as a single punctuation mark, they are placed in a complex sentence before the main part, which is preceded by a number of homogeneous subordinate parts, if the division of the complex sentence into two parts with a long pause before the main part is emphasized.
For example: Wherever I am, whatever I try to have fun with , – all my thoughts were occupied with the image of Olesya.(Cupr.)
Who is to blame and who is right? , - It’s not for us to judge.(Kr.)
The same sign is also placed before a word repeated in the same part of a sentence in order to connect with it a new sentence or the next part of the same sentence.
For example: I knew very well that it was my husband, not some new person unknown to me, but a good man , - my husband, whom I knew as myself.(L.T.)
And the idea that he can be guided by this interest, that in order to sell this forest he will seek reconciliation with his wife , – this thought offended him.(L.T.)
A dash is placed after the closing comma subordinate clause, including before the word this.
For example: The best he could do , - leave on time; The only thing I like here , - This is an old shady park.
Syntactic analysis of a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
Scheme for parsing a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
1. Determine the type of sentence according to the purpose of the statement (narrative, interrogative, incentive).
2. Indicate the type of sentence based on emotional coloring (exclamatory or non-exclamatory).
3. Determine the main and subordinate clauses, find their boundaries.
4. Draw up a sentence diagram: ask (if possible) questions from the main to the subordinate clauses, indicate in the main word on which the subordinate clause depends (if it is a verb), characterize the means of communication (conjunctions or allied words), determine the types of subordinate clauses (definitive, explanatory and etc.).
5. Determine the type of subordination of subordinate clauses (homogeneous, parallel, sequential).
Sample analysis of a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
1) [Look at the pale green sky strewn with stars,(on which there is neither a cloud nor a spot),and you will understand], (why summer warm air immovable), (Why nature on guard) (A. Chekhov).
[...noun, ( on which…), And verb], ( Why…), (Why…).
(Declarative, non-exclamative, complex, complex with three subordinate clauses, with parallel and homogeneous subordination: 1st subordinate clause - attributive clause (clause depends on the noun sky, answers the question which on which); 2nd and 3rd subordinate clauses - explanatory clauses (depending on the verb you'll understand, answer the question What?, are joined by the conjunction word why)).
2) [Any Human knows], (what should he do?, (what separates him from people), otherwise), (what connects him to them) (L. Tolstoy).
[...verb], ( What…., (What…), otherwise), (What…).
(Declarative, non-exclamative, complex, complex with three subordinate clauses, with sequential and parallel subordination: 1st subordinate clause - explanatory clause (depending on the verb knows, answers the question What?, joins by union What), 2nd and 3rd clauses - pronominal clauses (each of them depends on the pronoun That, answers the question which (That)?, is added by a conjunctive word What).
In this chapter:
§1. Types of subordination in NGN with several subordinate clauses
An IPP can have more than one subordinate clause. In this case, it is important to understand how all the parts of a complex sentence are related to each other, what obeys what. Three types are possible:
1) consistent submission,
2) parallel subordination,
3) homogeneous subordination.
Consistent submission
With sequential subordination, a chain of sentences is formed: the first subordinate clause is subordinate to the main clause, the second subordinate clause is subordinate to the first subordinate clause, etc. With this type of subordination, each subordinate clause is the main one for the subsequent subordinate clause.
I'm afraid that Anna will be late for the exam, which is scheduled to start early in the morning.
Scheme: [...], (union What...), (conjunctive word which…).
With sequential subordination, the subordinate clause related to the main one is called a subordinate clause of the first degree, and the next subordinate clause is called a subordinate clause of the second degree, etc.
Parallel subordination
If one main clause includes subordinate clauses different types, then parallel subordination is formed. With this type of subordination, both subordinate clauses belong to the same main clause. It is important that these clauses are of different types and they answer different questions.
When the teacher came in, the kids stood up to greet her.
Scheme: (conjunctive word When…), [ … ], (union to …).
Homogeneous Subordination
If subordinate clauses are sentences of the same type and refer to the same member of the main sentence or the entire main sentence as a whole, then a homogeneous subordination is formed. With homogeneous subordination, subordinate clauses answer the same question.
I suddenly felt how the tension subsided and how light my soul became.
Scheme: [...], (union How...) and (union How …).
Subordinate clauses explanatory sentences similar homogeneous members sentences, they are connected to each other by the conjunction And. Both subordinate clauses refer to the main clause of the sentence. There is no comma between them.
It is important that with homogeneous subordination, conjunctions or allied words can be omitted, which is typical for sentences with several subordinate clauses.
Test of strength
Find out your understanding of this chapter.
Final test
Is it true that an IPP can have more than one subordinate clause?
What is subordination called when the first subordinate clause is subordinated to the main clause, the second to the first, etc.?
- consistent submission
- homogeneous subordination
- parallel subordination
What is subordination called when subordinate clauses of different types are attached to one main clause?
- consistent submission
- homogeneous subordination
- parallel subordination
What is subordination called when subordinate clauses are sentences of the same type and refer to the same member of the main sentence or the entire main sentence as a whole?
- consistent submission
- homogeneous subordination
- parallel subordination
When the performance ended, the children clapped so that the artists felt their gratitude.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
What is subordination in a sentence: I think that in the next episode the hero will save the girl he is in love with.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
What is subordination in a sentence: I heard the door slam and people talking in the hallway.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
What is subordination in a sentence: I think that my brother will be happy with my gift and that I made a very good choice.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
In this type of SPP, simple sentences form a kind of chain: From the main sentence we ask the question of the 2nd subordinate clause, from the second we ask the question of the 3rd.
In the following examples, questions for the next clause will be placed in brackets.
And Nikolai went to work (why?) so that no one would say that he didn’t like his job (which one?), which he really didn’t like.
The SPP with a comma at the junction of 2 conjunctions has a sequential subordination.
He said that when father comes, we will go to the park. (The proposal is discussed below.)
Analysis: He said (what?) -> let's go to the park (when?) -> when father comes.
Non-union proposal
Non-union complex sentences
Non-union complex sentence- this is a complex sentence in which simple sentences are combined into one whole in meaning and intonation, without the help of conjunctions or allied words: [Habit from above to us given]: [replacement happiness she](A. Pushkin).
Meaningful relationships between simple sentences in the allied and non-union complex sentences are expressed differently. In allied sentences, conjunctions take part in their expression, so the semantic relationships here are more definite and clear. For example, union So expresses the consequence because- the reason, If- condition, however- opposition, etc.
Types of complex non-union sentences.
The most widespread classification of types of non-union proposals is according to lexical meaning. In accordance with this, the following SBP are distinguished:
- explanatory SBP:
Something incomprehensible was happening on the street: suddenly an incredible noise was heard.
- SBP with sequence value:
Looked out from behind the clouds spring sun, it got warmer quickly.
- additional SBP:
He decided to go to work: he needed to go in place of his sick partner.
- SBP with condition value:
When I return home, I’ll kick everyone out.
- SBP with reason value:
There was the sound of the door opening: Vika had returned from school.
- SBP with time value:
The sun rose and the birds chirped happily.
- SBP with mapping value:
Time for business - time for fun.
- SBP with the meaning of the consequence:
The TV is broken: there was a power surge.
Direct speech and its presentation in writing.
Formatting direct speech
1. Direct speech must be highlighted in quotation marks.
3. If direct speech precedes the words of the author, then a comma and a dash should be placed after it. If direct speech contains an exclamation or question, then it should be followed by a question or exclamation mark and a dash. In all cases, the author’s words should begin with a capital letter. Sentences with direct speech:
“I won’t give you to anyone,” Anton whispered excitedly.
"Who's there?" – Pashka asked in fear.
"Let's run quickly!" - Seryozha shouted.
2. If you are supposed to put a dot at the place where direct speech breaks, then after direct speech you need to put a comma and a dash, and after the author’s words - a dot and a dash. In this case, the second part should be written with a capital letter. Formatting direct speech in this case looks like that.
