Original: For example , in the clause '' I did n't hear what you said , '' the subordinate clause '' what you said '' is embedded into the main clause and is syntactically its object ; this can be demonstrated by substituting the pronoun '' it '' for the subordinate clause '' what you said '' ; the result of this substitution is the clause '' I did n't hear it . ''
Simplified: For example , in the phrase '' I did n't hear what you said , '' the subordinate clause '' what you said '' is embedded into the main clause and is syntactically its object ; this can be demonstrated by substituting the pronoun '' it '' for the subordinate clause '' I did n't hear it . ''