Understanding the

Syntactic Structure
of Subordination
and Correlation

Prepared by: Andrei James D. Deverson

Michael Adam S. Lopez
SYNTACTIC STRUCTURE OF SUBORDINATION

 Subordination means combining

independent clause (which contains
both a subject and a verb and can act as
a complete sentence) and a dependent
clause (which also contains a subject
and a verb, but is not a complete
sentence. It uses a connecting word
called subordinator or subordinating
conjunction to join one clause to
another.

 The clause introduced by a

subordinating conjunction is called
subordinating clause or dependent
clause. It is on a lower order of
importance in a sentence because it
cannot stand alone as a complete
sentence and likely dependent upon a
main clause to be meaningful. In
addition, it often begins with a
subordinate conjunction or a relative
pronoun.
 There are punctuation rules to keep in mind when using
subordinators. Sentences containing subordinating
conjunctions are punctuated differently depending on the
arrangement of the clauses.

 First, no comma is necessary if the independent clause

precedes the dependent clause.

Example: Jerry slid to home plate as the ball flew

overhead.

 Second, a comma is necessary if the dependent clause

precedes the independent clause.

Example: As the ball flew overhead, Jerry slid to home

plate.

 Additionally, the formula being portrayed in the first

example is independent clause + subordinating
conjunction +dependent clause while in the second item,
the sentence structure starts with subordinating
conjunction + dependent clause + comma + Independent
clause.
 Syntactic Structure of Correlation

 Correlative conjunctions are sort of like

tag-team conjunctions. They come in
pairs, and you have to use both of them
in different places in a sentence to make
them work. They get their name from
the fact that they work together (co-)
and relate one sentence element to
another. Furthermore, Correlative
conjunctions are a grammatical part of
speech in the English language which
works in pairs to join words, phrases, or
clauses of equal rank.

 The elements connected by correlative

conjunctions are usually parallel or
similar in length and grammatical form.
Each element is called conjoin. An easy
way to spot them in a sentence is to
remember that they always travel in
pairs.
Here is the list of the most common pairs

 Both / and
 Either / or
 Hardly / when
 If / then
 Just as / so
 Neither / nor
 Not only / but also
 Whether / or
 Just as/so
EITHER/OR
Either/or conjunction is used primarily when presented with
two choices. The ‘either/or’ conjunctions are used to suggest a
choice between two options.

Ex. Give me either freedom or death.

NEITHER/NOR
‘Neither/nor’ are conjunctions that are used to deny or negate
words and phrases. In the case of ‘neither’, it gives two
options that are both negated. ‘Nor’ is the negative form of
‘or’.

Ex. Neither Elmer nor Alvin has passed the test.

NOT ONLY/BUT ALSO

The correlative conjunctions ‘not only/but also’ are used to
show an additional and important element in the sentence that
is used to indicate excess when combined with the first
element.

Ex. Antonette is not only intelligent but also has a great sense
of humor.

JUST AS/SO
The correlative conjunctions ‘just as/so’ are used to link two
phrases that have a similar theme or are referring to a similar
thing together. This conjunction is used to show the
correspondence between two phrases or words.

Ex. Just as French is spoken in France, so is English spoken in

England.
BOTH/AND
Both is paired with and to add emphasis to two coordinated
elements in a sentence. Both is a focusing adverb; and is a
coordinator.

Ex. Both my sister and I are bookworms.

WHETHER/OR
‘Whether/or’ is used as a conjunction to show two different
options in the sentence. The conjunction can be used both in a
manner of negation and confirmation.

Ex. I’m going to help you whether you like it or not.

The rules to keep in mind are:

ensure verb agreement, ensure
pronoun agreement, and ensure
parallel structure.