Many languages allow subordination, in which a distinct clause appears under a main clause as a dependent subordinate structure. The word order of a subordinate clause may differ from that of a main clause. Basic subordinate word order can be determined by the transformation of a transitive declarative main clause (containing S, V[1], and O) into a subordinate clause. This can be done by the use of quoting, by attaching the clause to a main clause (with a subordinator, if necessary) such as “They said that...” The finite verb of the original clause may become nonfinite or deverbal when the clause is subordinate, or it may retain its finite verb form. The V of the original clause constitutes V in the values of this parameter.

Clauses considered for analysis should fulfill the same criteria as in parameter Basic word order (S, V, O), with the exception of the requirement that the clause be independent.

When a language displays more than one type, two values can be listed. If one type is dominant, a slash (/) can separate the two values, with the dominant value appearing first; if neither is dominant, an ampersand (&) is used to separate the values, with finite clauses listed before nonfinite constructions.[2]

Types:

NoBSWO: Basic subordinate word order cannot be determined.[3]

SV~O: In basic subordinate word order, S always precedes V, but the position of O may vary relative to these two items.[4]

VS~O: In basic subordinate word order, V always precedes S, but the position of O may vary relative to these two items.

SO~V: In basic subordinate word order, S always precedes O, but the position of V may vary relative to these two items.

OS~V: In basic subordinate word order, O always precedes S, but the position of V may vary relative to these two items.

VO~S: In basic subordinate word order, V always precedes O, but the position of S may vary relative to these two items.

OV~S: In basic subordinate word order, O always precedes V, but the position of S may vary relative to these two items.

VSO: Basic subordinate word order is VSO.

SVO: Basic subordinate word order is SVO.

SOV: Basic subordinate word order is SOV.

VOS: Basic subordinate word order is VOS.

OVS: Basic subordinate word order is OVS.

OSV: Basic subordinate word order is OSV.

[1] V should be a lexical verb rather than an auxiliary.

[2] For example, SVO&SOV refers to a language in which the word order of finite subordinate clauses is SVO, while the word order of participle constructions is SOV.

[3] This value applies if subordinate clauses are not possible in the language. (Some languages use coordination rather than subordination.) It also applies to languages in which contextual clues are required to distinguish the S and O. Another possibility is that while the language has subordinate clauses, their word order is entirely free, or random.

[4] If only two of the possible three options occur, this should be mentioned in the commentary. This also applies to all values featuring a tilde (~) to mark one item whose relative word order is not fixed.