Language/Finnish/Grammar/Subordinate-Clauses
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Welcome to this lesson on subordinate clauses in Finnish! Understanding subordinate clauses is essential for constructing more complex and meaningful sentences, allowing you to express your thoughts in greater detail. As you advance in your Finnish studies, you will find that these clauses are pivotal for connecting ideas and providing context, much like the glue that holds your sentences together.
In this lesson, we will explore the following:
- Definition of subordinate clauses
- Types of subordinate clauses in Finnish
- How to form subordinate clauses
- Usage of subordinate clauses in sentences
- Examples to illustrate each point
- Exercises to practice what you've learned
So, let’s dive in!
What are Subordinate Clauses?
A subordinate clause is a part of a sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete thought. It adds additional information to the main clause but does not express a complete idea by itself. In Finnish, subordinate clauses are often introduced by conjunctions, similar to English.
For example:
- English: I will go to the store if it stops raining.
- Finnish: Menen kauppaan jos sade loppuu.
In the above example, "if it stops raining" is a subordinate clause because it cannot stand alone.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses can be categorized based on their function in the sentence. Here are the main types you will encounter:
1. Adverbial Clauses
These clauses provide information about the action of the main verb, such as time, reason, condition, or manner.
Examples:
- Time: When I finish my homework, I will watch a movie.
- Reason: I am tired because I didn't sleep well.
- Condition: If it rains, we will stay home.
2. Relative Clauses
Relative clauses provide more information about a noun in the main clause. They often begin with relative pronouns.
Examples:
- Who: The man who is wearing a hat is my uncle.
- Which: The book that I read was fascinating.
3. Complement Clauses
Complement clauses function as a subject or object in the main clause. They often follow verbs that require a complement.
Examples:
- Subject: That he is coming is great news.
- Object: I believe that she is right.
Forming Subordinate Clauses
In Finnish, subordinate clauses are typically formed by using conjunctions. Here are some common conjunctions used to introduce subordinate clauses:
- että (that)
- koska (because)
- jotta (so that)
- jos (if)
- kun (when)
Let’s look at how these conjunctions work in forming subordinate clauses.
Examples of Subordinate Clauses
Here are 20 examples of subordinate clauses in Finnish, showing how they are formed and used:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Menen ulos, kun sade loppuu. | Menen ulos, kun sade loppuu. | I will go outside when the rain stops. |
| Hän on onnellinen, koska hän sai työpaikan. | Hän on onnellinen, koska hän sai työpaikan. | She is happy because she got a job. |
| Teen sen, jotta voit olla tyytyväinen. | Teen sen, jotta voit olla tyytyväinen. | I will do it so that you can be satisfied. |
| Luen kirjaa, jota suosittelit. | Luen kirjaa, jota suosittelit. | I am reading the book that you recommended. |
| Se on hyvä, että tulet mukaan. | Se on hyvä, että tulet mukaan. | It is good that you are coming along. |
| Jos sataa, jäämme kotiin. | Jos sataa, jäämme kotiin. | If it rains, we will stay home. |
| Kun olen valmis, soitan sinulle. | Kun olen valmis, soitan sinulle. | When I am ready, I will call you. |
| Hän sanoi, että hän tulee huomenna. | Hän sanoi, että hän tulee huomenna. | He said that he is coming tomorrow. |
| Tiedän, että sinä pystyt siihen. | Tiedän, että sinä pystyt siihen. | I know that you can do it. |
| Odotan, kun sinä tulet. | Odotan, kun sinä tulet. | I am waiting for you to come. |
| Hän nauraa, koska se on hauskaa. | Hän nauraa, koska se on hauskaa. | She laughs because it is funny. |
| En tiedä, miksi hän on surullinen. | En tiedä, miksi hän on surullinen. | I don’t know why she is sad. |
| Hän syö, kun on nälkä. | Hän syö, kun on nälkä. | He eats when he is hungry. |
| Mene, jos haluat. | Mene, jos haluat. | Go if you want to. |
| Hän on siellä, koska hän työskentelee. | Hän on siellä, koska hän työskentelee. | He is there because he is working. |
| Muista, että otat avaimet. | Muista, että otat avaimet. | Remember that you take the keys. |
| Voin auttaa, jos tarvitset apua. | Voin auttaa, jos tarvitset apua. | I can help if you need help. |
| Se on hauskaa, kun saamme ystäviä käymään. | Se on hauskaa, kun saamme ystäviä käymään. | It is fun when we have friends over. |
| Hän ei tule, koska hän on sairas. | Hän ei tule, koska hän on sairas. | She is not coming because she is sick. |
| Tiedän, että sinä voit onnistua. | Tiedän, että sinä voit onnistua. | I know that you can succeed. |
| Tehdään se, jotta voimme nauttia. | Tehdään se, jotta voimme nauttia. | Let's do it so that we can enjoy. |
Usage of Subordinate Clauses in Sentences
Subordinate clauses can be used in various ways within sentences to enrich the meaning. Here are some guidelines on how to use them effectively:
- Placement: The position of the subordinate clause can vary. It can come at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the main clause. However, when a subordinate clause starts a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma.
- Punctuation: A comma is often used to separate the subordinate clause from the main clause, especially if the subordinate clause is at the beginning of the sentence.
- Agreement: Ensure that the verb in the subordinate clause agrees with its subject, just like in the main clause.
Exercises: Practice Makes Perfect!
To solidify your understanding of subordinate clauses, here are some exercises for you to complete. Try to form sentences using subordinate clauses as instructed.
Exercise 1: Identify the Subordinate Clauses
Read the following sentences and identify the subordinate clauses.
1. I will call you when I get home.
2. She loves to read because it relaxes her.
3. If you finish your work, we can go out.
- __Answers:__
1. when I get home
2. because it relaxes her
3. If you finish your work
Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate subordinate conjunctions (että, koska, jos, kun).
1. _______ tulee myöhään, en odota.
2. Hän sanoi, _______ hän ei voi tulla.
3. _______ opit kielen, voit matkustaa.
- __Answers:__
1. Jos
2. että
3. Kun
Exercise 3: Translate to Finnish
Translate the following sentences into Finnish, making sure to use subordinate clauses.
1. I will eat when I am hungry.
2. She is happy because she has friends.
3. If it snows, we will go skiing.
- __Answers:__
1. Syön, kun olen nälkäinen.
2. Hän on onnellinen, koska hänellä on ystäviä.
3. Jos sataa lunta, menemme hiihtämään.
Exercise 4: Combine the Sentences
Combine the following pairs of sentences into one sentence with a subordinate clause.
1. I will study. I want to pass the exam.
2. She likes ice cream. It is very sweet.
3. He is happy. He got a new job.
- __Answers:__
1. I will study so that I want to pass the exam.
2. She likes ice cream because it is very sweet.
3. He is happy because he got a new job.
Exercise 5: Create Your Own Sentences
Write three sentences using subordinate clauses. Be creative!
- __Answers:__ (Answers will vary based on student responses)
Exercise 6: Punctuation Practice
Add the necessary punctuation to the following sentences.
1. Because it was raining we stayed indoors.
2. When she arrives we will start dinner.
3. I believe that he is telling the truth.
- __Answers:__
1. Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.
2. When she arrives, we will start dinner.
3. I believe that he is telling the truth.
Exercise 7: Matching Exercises
Match the Finnish subordinate clauses with their English translations.
1. kun hän tulee
2. koska se on kaunis
3. jos sinä haluat
A. if you want
B. when he comes
C. because it is beautiful
- __Answers:__
1 - B
2 - C
3 - A
Exercise 8: Fill in the Gaps
Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in the subordinate clause.
1. He is happy _______ (know) that he passed the test.
2. She goes to bed early _______ (be) tired in the morning.
3. We will wait _______ (see) you.
- __Answers:__
1. knowing
2. to be
3. to see
Exercise 9: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the sentences to include a subordinate clause.
1. She is studying. She wants to learn Finnish.
2. It is cold. We should wear jackets.
3. He is not coming. He is sick.
- __Answers:__
1. She is studying so that she wants to learn Finnish.
2. It is cold, so we should wear jackets.
3. He is not coming because he is sick.
Exercise 10: Reflection
Reflect on what you have learned in this lesson. Write a short paragraph about how subordinate clauses can help you in your Finnish language studies.
- __Answers:__ (Answers will vary based on student reflections)
Congratulations on completing this lesson on subordinate clauses in Finnish! Understanding how to form and use these clauses will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Finnish. Remember to practice regularly and try to incorporate subordinate clauses into your conversations and writing. Keep up the great work, and see you in the next lesson!
Sources
- Sivulause - Finnish Sentence Types: Subordinate Clauses - Uusi ...
- Että in Finnish - "That" - Subordinate Clauses and More - Uusi ...
Other Lessons
- Pronouns
- Negation
- Indefinite Articles in Finnish
- How to Use Be
- Finnish Sentence Structure
- Noun Cases
- Plurals
- Finnish Verb Tenses
- Asking Directions in Finnish
- Alphabet and Pronunciation
| ◀️ Conjunctions — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Family Members ▶️ |