subordinate clause

noun Grammar.

a clause that modifies the principal clause or some part of it or that serves a noun function in the principal clause, as when she arrived in the sentence I was there when she arrived or that she has arrived in the sentence I doubt that she has arrived.

Compare main clause.

Also called de·pend·ent clause.

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British Dictionary definitions for subordinate clause

subordinate clause

noun

grammar a clause with an adjectival, adverbial, or nominal function, rather than one that functions as a separate sentence in its own rightCompare coordinate clause, main clause

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