Faulty

subordination
Occurs when the writer puts the main or major
idea in the subordinate clause. Likewise, it
results to a faulty subordination when the
sentence does not express a logical idea
between clauses because use conjunction is
not appropriate. In effect the meaning of the
sentence becomes confusing. It is best to put in
mind therefore, that as a writer, one must
make sure that nothing like this take place, by
placing the idea that needs more emphasis in
the independent clause and not in the
subordinate clause, and by using an
appropriate or correct conjunction to connect
them
Example 1

Nervous about the result, he ran slower than

Faulty: last competition.
(major idea) (minor idea)
The sentence is faulty because the major idea is given
first. If we analyze the statement, the nervousness felt
by the subject with regard to the result was due to the
idea that he ran slower than the last competition. We
would understand that because he ran slower, he was
afraid that the result might not be positive for him.
Therefore, thinking that the subject felt nervous before
running slower in the last competition will be wrong .
Faulty: Because he was nervous about the result ,
he ran slower than the last competition.

Faulty: He was nervous about the result, so he ran

slower than the last competition.

These are faulty because these sentences are giving

the readers the idea that it was due to the
nervousness of the subject that made him slower in
the competition and not the other way around.
How do we improve this faulty subordination ? Take
note of the corrected sentence.
 Because he ran slower he was nervous
Correct: than the last competition, about the result.
(minor idea) (major idea)

Notice the improvement in the sentence when the

cause or the minor idea, Because he ran slower than
the last competition is given first before the major. This
arrangement of presenting the minor idea first before
the major one makes it sensible and correct.
Example 2
Jessa is the top-ranking although she was not
Faulty: student in her class going to college.
(minor idea) (major idea)
this is a faulty subordination because her not going to college
has nothing to do with her being the top-ranking student in her
class.
Although jessa is the top ranking she was not going
Correct: student in her class, to college.
(major idea) (minor idea)

Now the sentence make sense. Even if jessa is the top-ranking

student in her class, it does not assure that she is going to
college.
Example 3
The investigators found when they search the
Faulty : the laptop missing. House.
(major idea) (minor idea)

This is faulty because the major idea is given first. This is not
how the order of action happens here. Common sense dictates
that the searching took place before the discovery that
something was missing. The sentence should begin with the
minor idea.
When they search the the investigators found
Correct: house, the laptop is missing.
(minor idea) (major idea)