Master Your PERT with Effective Subordination Techniques

Have you ever found yourself tangled in complex sentences? Or perhaps you're studying for the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) and want to brush up on your writing skills? Well, let’s take a moment to unpack the concept of effective subordination. Trust me; mastering this will boost your communication skills and help you ace that test.

What is Subordination Anyway?

Before we jump into examples, let’s clarify what subordination is. In writing, it allows you to connect two ideas in a way that emphasizes their relationship. Picture it as a dance: one idea takes the lead, while the subordinate one provides context, set against the rhythm of your main point.

For instance, let’s look at the example you might see on the PERT:

Which uses effective subordination? A. Although, she might not have needed the coffee.
B. When they were done with school. They celebrated.
C. As the teacher was talking. He started to nod off.
D. Since she didn't pass the class, she has to take it again.

The clear winner here is option D: "Since she didn't pass the class, she has to take it again." Why? Because it effectively uses a subordinate clause—"Since she didn't pass the class"—to set the stage for the main idea.

Why Is This Important?

You might be asking, “Okay, but why does this even matter?” Well, here’s the thing—mastering subordination can drastically change how your sentence flows, enhancing comprehension for the reader. Complex sentences with subordinate clauses convey more information without overwhelming the reader. Think of it as painting a picture with words, where each brush stroke (or clause) adds depth to your narrative.

Breaking Down the Options

Let’s take a closer look at why options A, B, and C fell short:

• Option A: “Although, she might not have needed the coffee.”
  Sure, it starts to set up a condition, but it leaves the audience hanging, craving the main clause. It doesn’t tell us what happened because she might not have needed it.

• Option B: “When they were done with school. They celebrated.”
  A classic case of disconnection! Here, the two sentences should be tied together. It’s like a concert where the headliner forgets to come on stage. There’s no fluid relationship between the two ideas.

• Option C: “As the teacher was talking. He started to nod off.”
  Similar to option B, this has a logistical flaw. We need to see how the teacher's talking affected the student, but instead, it feels disjointed.

Building Complex Sentences Easily

Okay, so how do you begin using subordination effectively? Start by identifying the main idea of your sentence. Once you have that, you can easily create a subordinate clause that adds context—like seasoning to your favorite dish!

You could rephrase option A as: "Although she might not have needed the coffee, she still took it to help her focus." It’s clearer, more connected, and gives the reader a clearer understanding of the situation.

Practice Makes Perfect

Now that you’ve had a taste of how subordination works, it’s time to practice. Consider mixing clauses while writing. Serve them up together! Use tools like online grammar checkers to identify your sentence structures, or work with friends to create sentences that incorporate both main and subordinate clauses effectively.

You might find yourself writing sentences like: "Although studying for the PERT can be intimidating, understanding subordination will make it easier." See how that adds depth? Plus, it’s important to remember this skill isn’t just useful for the test. It’ll serve you well in academic writing and effective communication.

Wrapping It Up

To sum it up, effective subordination is a game-changer when it comes to clarity in writing, especially for exams like the PERT. By seamlessly linking clauses, you provide the reader with a richer understanding of your ideas. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel, and before you know it, you’ll be whipping up complex sentences with ease.

So, as you gear up to tackle the PERT, keep these elements in your toolkit. Good luck, and remember—every sentence is an opportunity to tell your story more vividly!