A subordinate clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb, like an independent clause, but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Instead, it depends on a main clause to give it meaning and context. Subordinate clauses are used to add additional information to the main clause, providing details, explanations, or conditions. Subordinate clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as although, because, if, when, while, since, so, after, before, unless, and where:

Will you become an engineer when you graduate?

I wanted to become a programmer because I enjoy computer science.

If you like doing research, you should work in a laboratory.

She saw a job ad for a warehouse worker, so she decided to apply.

A relative clause is a subordinate clause that begins with a relative pronoun (who, whose, which, that):

The book that I read was fascinating.

The word order in the subordinate clause is the same as in the main clause (conjunction + subject – verb – object – manner – place – time):

We eat meat because we like it.