Writing Book 5 · Lesson 23

Move the subordinate clause to the front

Moving a subordinate clause to the front changes the emphasis of a sentence.

What it is

A sentence with a subordinate clause can be written either way round without changing what is true. What changes is emphasis: whatever comes LAST lands hardest. Put the cause first when you want the reader to end on the consequence.

Watch it built

1
The clause sits at the end, so the cause lands last.
The seeds failed because the soil was dry.
2
Lift the whole because clause out and put it in front.
Because the soil was dry the seeds failed.
3
A fronted clause takes a comma.
Because the soil was dry, the seeds failed.

One more

The road closed because the bridge flooded.
↓
Because the bridge flooded, the road closed.
Remember
Fronted clause takes a comma — and the ending lands hardest.
Ask yourself: “Which idea do I want the reader to meet first?”

Remember

Put the dependent idea first.

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