Here's why:

* Normal Valency: Oxygen typically has a valency of 2, meaning it forms two covalent bonds to achieve a stable octet configuration.

* Suboxides: Suboxides are compounds where the ratio of oxygen to the other element is lower than in typical oxides. This implies that oxygen is forming fewer bonds than it normally does.

* Examples: Examples of suboxides include:

* Carbon suboxide (C3O2): Oxygen has a valency of 1 in this compound.

* Nitrogen suboxide (N2O): Oxygen has a valency of 1 in this compound.

Important Note: While the valency of oxygen is less than 2 in suboxides, it's important to understand that the actual bonding within these compounds can be complex and may not always follow simple valency rules.