Subordinate Clauses

- CLAUSES OF [προτασεις
RESULT
αποτελεσματος / δευτερευουσες
αποτελεσματικες προτασεις]
Οι δευτερευουσες προτασεις του αποτελεσματος εκφραζουν
αιτια και το αποτελεσμα της.
Εισαγονται με το that (μετα το such η το so), δηλαδη
so……..that η such……..that
Το ‘such’ προηγειται ουσιαστικων (κι ας εχουν αρθρο και
επιθετο μπροστα τους), ενώ το ‘so’ προηγειται επιθετων /
επιρρηματων
It was such a hot day that we went swimming
The algebra exercise was so difficult that none of the students
could solve it
She played so well that the coach congratulated her publicly
Όταν εχουμε επιθετο + ουσιαστικο, τοτε υπαρχουν δυο τροποι
εκφρασης του αποτελεσματος τοσο με το ‘such’ οσο και με το
‘so’
Ειτε such + αρθρο + επιθετο + ουσιαστικο
Ειτε so + επιθετο + αρθρο + ουσιαστικο
It was such a tasty meal that we all enjoyed it
It was so tasty a meal that we all enjoyed it

So much + ουσιαστικο = τοσος-η-ο

So many + ουσιαστικο = τοσοι-ες-α

I have so much work to do that I can’t go out

I have so many books that I can give you some

Clauses of result are also introduced by (and) as a result, (and)

as a consequence (κατά συνεπεια), consequently (συνεπως), so,
etc.
A comprehensive table
Such a / an + (adjective) + It was such a nice dress that
singular countable noun she bought it immediately
Such + (adjective) + It was such bad weather that
uncountable / plural noun we didn’t go out
They were such tasty cookies
that we ate them all
Such + a lot of + noun There were such a lot of
people on the train that we
had to stand most of the
journey
So + adjective / adverb She was getting so bored that
she decided to go shopping
He speaks so quickly that
hardly anyone can understand
what he is saying
So + much / many / little / few She has earned so much
+ noun money this year that she has
decided to buy a yacht
So + adjective + a / an + noun It was so heavy a box that I
couldn’t lift it
As a result / therefore / He didn’t have any money
consequently / so + clause and as a result he couldn’t go
on holiday
Exercise: choose ‘such’ or ‘so’ for the blanks in the following
sentences
1. The house was …………………beautiful that I took a
picture of it
2. It was ………………a beautiful house that we decided to
buy it
3. The doctor has ………….many patients that he is always
busy
4. The problem was so difficult that I asked my sister for
some help
5. I liked the poem…………much that I learnt it by heart
6. The play was so good that the audience applauded the
actors for five minutes after the curtain came down
7. He speaks German …….well that you think he comes
from that country
8. He is …………..a kind person that everyone likes him
9. ………..many people attended the meeting that some had
to stand as there were not enough seats for everyone
10. He had …………much trouble with his car that he
decided to sell it

- CLAUSES OF TIME [χρονικες προτασεις]

Clauses of time are introduced by
After, as, as long as (εφοσον), as soon as (μολις), just as, once
(απαξ, όταν, μολις), since, when, before, by the time (= before,
not later than), while, until / till (= up to the time when), the
moment (that), whenever, every time, immediately, etc. [see also
detailed section ‘no will after]

He bought a villa as soon as he got the money

Time clauses follow the rule of ‘the sequence of tenses’ [η
ακολουθια των χρονων]: that is, when the verb in the main
clause is in a present or future form, the verb in the time clause
is in a present form; and when the verb in the main clause is in a
past form, the verb in the time clause is also in a past form.
Note that ‘will’ is never used in clauses of time
I’ll give it to you when you tell me why you want it [NOT:
WHEN YOU WILL TELL ME]

She had finished reading before her parents returned

When the time clause precedes the main clause, a comma is

used.
When the time clause follows, no comma is uused
When he finishes, he can go home
He can go home when he finishes

When ‘when’ is a time conjunction it is followed by the present

tense
When he comes, he will tell you

When ‘when’ is an interrogative pronoun, it can be followed by

will / would
When will he come?

‘It’ is used for things which may happen

Wait for me if I’m late

‘when’ is used for things which are sure to happen

I’ll be back when I finish doing the shopping

- CLAUSES OF REASON [δευτερευουσες

αιτιολογικες προτασεις]
Δηλωνουν / φανερωνουν τον λογο / την αιτια για
αυτό που εκφραζεται στην κυρια προταση
Clauses of reason are introduced by:
As, since (μιας και, εφοσον, αφου, επειδη), because, for (διοτι),
the reason for, the reason why, on the grounds that (για λογους)

As he was running late for work, he took a taxi

He needs some money because he wants to buy a car
Since it was a warm day, we went to the beach
As he was rich, he could afford to stay in the most expensive
hotels around the world
He does not want to leave, for he has too much work to do

Because usually answers a ‘why question’

Why did you call?
Because there has been an incident
‘For’ always comes after a comma in written discourse or a
pause in oral discourse
I said nothing, for I did not know what to say

Other ways to express reason:

Because of (εξαιτιας) / due to (λογω, εξαιτιας, ενεκα) +
noun / -ing form
She was late because of / due to heavy traffic
Because of / due to + the fact that…..
Because of the fact that / Due to the fact that it had been
snowing for a week, all roads were closed

- CLAUSES OF PURPOSE [τελικες

προτασεις / προτασεις του σκοπου]

- Clauses of purpose are subordinate clauses which mainly

answer the questions ‘why?’ or ‘why not?’, presenting the
purpose of the information conveyed in the main sentence.
Positive purpose is expressed in many ways:
To / in order to (προκειμενου I’ll start early to get there
να) / so as to + infinitive [για before 8 pm
να / προκειμενου να / ώστε She is studying so as to
να] qualify as a doctor.
States the doer’s purpose We assemble the goods in the
Philippines so as to take
advantage of the cheap labour.
He is going to buy the car to
take advantage of the huge
discount offered.
So that + can / will (present / He works hard so that he will
future reference) [ετσι ώστε] succeed in his life
So that + could / would (past He worked hard so that he
reference) could succeed in his life
In order that / so that We are reviewing our pay
[subordinate conjunctions] + scales so that they (may)
finite verb (or may / might + correspond with national
infinitive), where the subject levels
of the two clauses are the We reviewed our pay scales
same or different so that they might correspond
with national levels
with a view to / with the aim He did a Masters’ degree with
of + -ing form [με σκοπο να, the aim of applying for a
με τον σκοπο να] managerial position
for + -ing This is a knife for cutting
for + noun + to-infinitive meat
For costs to be reduced, we
need to carry out a thorough
analysis of our processes /
operations
In case + Present (present / I will write it down in case I
future reference) [σε forget it
περιπτωση που] He took an umbrella in case it
In case + Past (past reference) rained

Negative purpose is also expressed in many ways:

So as not to / in order not to + He studied hard so as not to /
infinitive [ώστε να μην / in order not to fail the test
προκειμενου να μην] So as not to be late we took a
taxi
So that + can’t / won’t Tie up the boat so that it
(present / future reference) won’t drift downstream
[ώστε να μην] She locked the door so that
burglars couldn’t break into
So that + couldn’t / wouldn’t her house
(past reference) [ώστε να μην]
For fear / lest + might / should He didn’t say where he was
[από φοβο μηπως / μηπως going for fear he might be
και / μην τυχον και] followed
For fear of something / doing He gave the thieves his
something [από φοβο μην] valuables for fear of being
harmed
Prevent + noun / pronoun + He put on a raincoat to
(from) + -ing form [για να prevent himself (from) getting
εμποδισει / σταματησει / wet / soaked
αποτρεψει καποιον να]
Avoid + -ing form [αποφευγω He took a taxi to avoid
να] arriving late at the office
She is going to buy an alarm
clock to avoid oversleeping

Clauses of Purpose follow the rule concerning the sequence of

tenses
She is going to exercise daily so that her health will improve
They tied him up so that he wouldn’t escape

I brought her a present to cheer her up

I brought her a present so as to cheer her up
I brought her a present in order to cheer her up
I brought her a present so that I could cheer her up
I brought her a present with the aim of cheering her up
I didn’t tell her the bad news to avoid upsetting her

Exercise: Choose because, as, since, so that, in order to, so as,

for as the connecting word for the dependent clause in each
sentence
 1. They visited Greece…….they had heard such a lot about
the country
2. ………..it was too late, we went back home.
3. …………….you are rich you can afford to buy that
mansion
4. I borrowed 500 euros from Tina ………….i could pay for
my books
5. I went downtown this morning……..buy a new suit
6. They went into the restaurant …………..dinner
7. We should leave for home early…………we won’t be
tired tomorrow
8. We should leave for home early……….mother will be
waiting for us
9. ………………we must go to work tomorrow, we should
leave for home early
10. We went to the meeting so early…………..to get
good seats
11. Mary went to the school by taxi………………not to
be late for class
12. We called Helen ………………congratulate her on
her success
13. …………….he was very fat he decided to go on a
diet
14. You must do your exercises very
carefully……………not to make any mistakes
15. He hid his money………….thieves should not rob
him of it

- CLAUSES OF CONCESSION
(Παραχωρητικες / Εναντιωματικες
προτασεις)
Concession is expressed in many ways:
Although / even though / Although it was expensive,
though + clause (αν και, she bought it
παρολο που)
Despite / in spite of + noun / - Despite his wealth / being
ing form (παρα) rich, he never lends money
Despite / in spite of the fact + In spite of / Despite the fact
that-clause that he is rich, he never lends
money
While / whereas / but / on the She swam fast, yet she
other hand / yet + clause finished third
Nevertheless / however + He is bright; however, he is
clause rather lazy
However / no matter how + However (no matter how)
adjective / adverb + subject (+ clever you are, you won’t
may) + verb solve this puzzle
However (no matter how)
fast he runs, he won’t catch
the robbers
Whatever / no matter what + Whatever you do, you won’t
clause succeed
Adjective / Adverb + though Loudly though he knocked
+ subject + verb / (may + bare on the door, nobody heard
infinitive)
Adjective / adverb + as + Exhausted as she was, she
subject + verb went to the party

A comma is used when the clause of concession either precedes

or follows the main clause.
Whatever she says, he won’t believe her
He won’t believe her, whatever she says

Despite the great danger, we decided to attempt the rescue

Although / even though he prepared the meal very quickly,
everyone enjoyed
Despite / in spite of his having prepared the meal very quickly,
everyone enjoyed it.
Although Christmas is one of the great Christian festivals,
nowadays it has more than a religious aspect
Hard as she tried, she couldn’t solve the problem

CLAUSES OF CONCESSION: DESPITE /IN SPITE

OF/ALTHOUGH
Exercise 1. Complete these sentences with although, in spite
of or despite.
1. __ it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday.
2. __ all my careful plans, a lot of things went wrong.
3. __ I had planned everything carefully, a lot of things went
wrong.
4. I love music __ I can't play a musical instrument.
5. __ being very tired, we carried on walking.
6. The heating was full on, but __ this the house was still cold.
7. Keith decided to give up his job __ I advised him not to.
8. __ the light rain, the baseball game was not canceled.
9. She was still able to finish her assignment before class __ she
was interrupted.
10. __ their quarrel, they are very good friends.
11. They arrived on time __ the delay.
12. Dick and Sarah are still planning to get married __ their
disagreement.
13. __ the pills that are available, many people still have trouble
sleeping.
14. Most people still prefer to travel by plane __ airfares
increased greatly.

Exercise 2. Write a new sentence with the same meaning.

Use the word(s) in brackets.
Example: I couldn't sleep although I was tired, (despite) — I
couldn't sleep despite being tired, (or despite the fact (that) I was
tired).
1. Although he's got an English name, he is in fact German.
(despite)
2. In spite other injured foot, she managed to walk to the village.
(although)
3. I decided to accept the job although the salary was low. (in
spite of)
4. We lost the match although we were the better team. (despite)
5. In spite of not having eaten for 24 hours, I didn't feel hungry.
(even though)
6. They have very little money. They are happy. (in spite of)
7. My foot was injured. I managed to walk to the nearest village.
(although)
8. I enjoy the film. The story was silly. (in spite of)
9. We live in the same street. We hardly ever see each other.
(despite)
10. I got very wet in the rain. I had an umbrella. (even though)
Exercise 3. Choose the word or words that correctly
complete the sentences below.
1. (Although / Despite) cats cannot see in complete darkness,
their eyes are much more sensitive to light than are humans'
eyes.
2. (Although / In spite of) its frightening appearance, the
octopus is shy and completely harmless.
3. The northwestern part of Texas is called the Panhandle
(because / because of) its shape.
4. (Although / Despite) their light weight, aluminum alloys can
be very strong.
5. (Although / In spite of) Adlai Stevenson was never elected
President, he was one of the preeminent American politicians of
the mid-twentieth century.
6. (Although / Despite) it can occur in adults, chicken pox is
classified as a disease of childhood.

Exercise 4. Fill in the blanks with one of the words from (A),
(B), (C), or (D).
1. It looked dark and heavy __ it was going to rain.
(A) although (B) as if (C) unless (D) whereas
2. __ I get your call, I will leave.
(A) As soon as (B) By the time (C) As though (D) Now that
3. __ he had read the instructions several times, he knew what to
do.
(A) Whereas (B) Until (C) After (D) While
4. __ he cannot afford a car, he rides a bicycle.
(A) Unless (B) Though (C) Whereas (D) Because
5. __ the cities do not provide better and cheaper mass transport,
the traffic problem will get worse.
(A) So that (B) If (C) Even though (D) Before
6. __ you go to Canada, you should visit Toronto.
(A) When (B) Since (C) As (D) Unless
7. __ riding a bicycle is a good leg exercise, it does not use up a
lot of calories.
(A) As (B) Because (C) Although (D) So that
8. She turned off the record player __ she could study.
(A) now that (B) so that (C) even if (D) in case

- CLAUSES OF MANNER [τροπικες

προτασεις]
Clauses of manner are introduced by
As if / as though [σαν να]
After the verbs act, appear, be, behave, feel, look, seem, smell,
sound, taste
‘were’ can be used instead of ‘was’ in formal English in all
persons in clauses introduced with ‘as if / as though’.
She behaves as if she were / was the Queen

The tense forms used after ‘as if / as though’ depend on whether

the ideas are true or untrue
As if / as though + any tense She sounds as if she is Italian
form (she may be Italian)
(expressing similarity / She looked as if she was tired
probability how somebody / (she may have been tired)
something seemed)
As if / as though + Past She treats me as if she were
Simple / Past Continuous my mother
(unreal in the present) (but she isn’t)
As if / as though + Past She talked about Marilyn
Perfect Monroe as if they had been
(unreal in the past) close friends
(but they hadn’t been)

Does he ever have a holiday? It seems as though he works seven

days a week!
He was so hungry that he felt as though he could eat a horse

As, how, (in) the way, (in) the way that, the way in which,
(in) the same way, (in) the same way as
It smells as if they are frying chicken
Do as you like

- EXCLAMATIONS [επιφωνηματα /
επιφωνηματικες προτασεις] / Exclamatory
Clauses
Exclamations are used to express
Anger, fear, shock, surprise, etc.
They always take an exclamation mark (!)
Some exclamations are:
Oh dear! Ah! Oh! Good gracious! [Θεουλη μου! / Για ονομα
του Θεου!], etc.
Τροποι εκφορας των Επιφωνηματικων προτασεων:
What + a / an + (adjective) + What a nice day!
singular countable noun
What + (adjective) + What awful weather!
uncountable / plural noun What nice manners!
How + adjective / adverb How clever he is!
How slowly he speaks!
You + (adjective) + noun You (filthy) liar!
Such (a / an) + (adjective) + It’s such an old car!
noun
So + adjective / adverb He is so nice to us!
Adverb / adverbial particle + Off he went!
subject + verb of movement Off you go! [αντε! Πηγαινε!
Ξεκινα!
Here / There + subject + verb There she goes! But: There
goes Mary! (when the subject
is a noun, it follows the verb
Interrogative-negative Isn’t it awful!
questions at the beginning of
the sentence

[Would you believe it! [απιστευτο![]

What fantastic photos!

Aren’t these photos fantastic!
These photos are so fantastic!
How fantastic these photos are!
These are such fantastic photos!
This beach is so crowded!
He has such an expensive car!
How polite they are!
What a spoilt boy!
This is such a beautiful view!
The exam was so difficult!
It’s been such a hot summer!
Don’t they look angry!
What a helpful assistant!
She’s so conscientious!
This is such nice weather!
How talented you are!
What a wonderful opportunity!
She is so beautiful!