On the principles of classification of subordinate clauses in Ossetian syntax

Complex sentences are considered on the basis of the presence or absence in the subordinate sentence of the pronoun (mostly indicative) disclosed in the subordinate sentence. Research attention is focused on the real meaning of the subordinate clause; two types of subordinate clauses are analyzed: 1) the subordinate clause, revealing the meaning of the definition expressed by the pronoun, which may contain any statement about the same subject to which the pronoun refers; 2) the subordinate clause that reveals the meaning of the minor member of the sentence expressed by the pronoun, not by “attributing” what is said in the subordinate clause to one of the members of the main sentence, but directly citing a particular fact that supplements the pronoun with no material content. The idea is expressed of dividing all complex sentences into two main groups, which differ sharply from one another.