Using subordination
To give unequal emphasis to two or more ideas, express the major idea in an independent clause and place any minor ideas in subordinate clauses or phrases. (For specific subordination strategies, see the chart below.)
Let your intended meaning determine which idea you emphasize. Consider the two ideas about social networking Web sites.
Social networking Web sites offer ways for people to connect in the virtual world. They do not replace face-to-face forms of social interaction.
If your purpose is to stress the ways that people can connect in the virtual world rather than the limitations of these connections, subordinate the idea about the limitations.
Although they do not replace face-to-face forms of social interaction, social networking Web sites offer ways for people to connect in the virtual world.
To focus on the limitations of the virtual world, subordinate the idea about the ways people connect on these Web sites.
Although social networking Web sites offer ways for people to connect in the virtual world, they do not replace face-to-face forms of social interaction.
Using subordination to combine sentences of unequal importance
1. Consider putting the less important idea in a subordinate clause beginning with one of the following words.
| after | before | that | which |
| although | even though | unless | while |
| as | if | until | who |
| as if | since | when | whom |
| because | so that | where | whose |
2. Consider putting the less important idea in an appositive phrase.
3. Consider putting the less important idea in a participial phrase.
