518. Though a complex sentence can have but one (simple or compound) main clause, there is, in theory, no limit to the number of subordinate clauses.
519. Subordinate clauses may be attached to the main clause (1) as separate modifiers or complements; (2) in a coördinate series of clauses, all in the same construction, and forming one compound clause; (3) in a series of successively subordinate clauses, forming one complex clause.
520. Two or more subordinate clauses may be attached to the main clause separately, each as a distinct modifier or complement.
- The bridge, which had been weakened by the ice, fell with a crash while the locomotive was crossing it. [The first subordinate clause is an adjective modifier of bridge; the second is an adverbial modifier of fell.]
- The architect who drew the plans says that the house will cost ten thousand dollars. [The first subordinate clause is an adjective modifier of architect; the second is a complement, being the object of says.]
- Isabella, whom every incident was sufficient to dismay, hesitated whether she should proceed.—H. Walpole.
- As the boat drew nearer to the city, the coast which the traveller had just left sank behind him into one long, low, sad-colored line.—Ruskin.
- Those dangers which, in the vigor of youth, we had learned to despise, assume new terrors as we grow old.—Goldsmith.
- When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears.—Hardy.
- As Florian Deleal walked, one hot afternoon, he overtook by the wayside a poor aged man, and, as he seemed weary with the road, helped him on with the burden which he carried, a certain distance.—Pater.
- While Joe was absent on this errand, the elder Willet and his three companions continued to smoke with profound gravity and in a deep silence, each having his eyes fixed on a huge copper boiler that was suspended over the fire.—Dickens.
521. Two or more subordinate clauses in the same construction, forming one compound clause, may be attached to the main clause as a modifier or complement.
- 1. The truth was that Leonard had overslept, that he had missed the train, and that he had failed to keep his appointment.
- 2. The guide told us that the road was impassable, that the river was in flood, and that the bridge had been swept away.
- 3. Ellis, whose pockets were empty and whose courage was at a low ebb, stared dismally at the passing crowd.
- 4. Before the battle was over and while the result was still in doubt, the general ordered a retreat.
- 5. After we had arrived at the hotel, but before we had engaged our rooms, we received an invitation to stay at the castle.
- 6. My first thought was, that all was lost, and that my only chance for executing a retreat was to sacrifice my baggage.—De Quincey.
- 7. The author fully convinced his readers that they were a race of cowards and scoundrels, that nothing could save them, that they were on the point of being enslaved by their enemies, and that they richly deserved their fate.—Macaulay.
In the first and second examples, three coördinate noun clauses are joined to make one compound clause, which is used as a complement,—as a predicate nominative in the first sentence, as the direct object of told in the second.
In the third example, a compound adjective clause modifies Ellis. In the fourth and fifth, a compound adverbial clause modifies the predicate verb (ordered, received). In the seventh, four that-clauses unite in one compound clause.
522. Two or more successively subordinate clauses, forming one complex clause, may be joined to the main clause as a modifier or complement.
In such a series, the first subordinate clause is attached directly to the main clause, the second is subordinate to the first, the third to the second, and so on in succession.