Subordinating conjunctions are a fundamental component of English grammar, often overlooked by learners but crucial for constructing complex, nuanced sentences. These small but mighty words help us link ideas, add depth to our writing, and improve the flow of our narratives. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your sentences more sophisticated, understanding subordinating conjunctions is a great place to start.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot. By using subordinating conjunctions, you can create sentences that show relationships between different ideas, such as cause and effect, contrast, condition, or time.
Some common subordinating conjunctions include:
– Although
– Because
– Since
– Unless
– While
– When
– If
– Until
For example:
– “I stayed at home because it was raining.”
– “She will go to the party if she finishes her homework.”
Types of Relationships
Subordinating conjunctions can express various types of relationships between clauses. Here are some of the most common types:
Cause and Effect
These conjunctions show why something happens. Common examples include because, since, and as.
– “She was late because she missed the bus.”
– “Since it was raining, the game was postponed.”
– “As the sun set, the temperature dropped.”
Condition
These conjunctions indicate a condition that must be met for something to happen. Examples include if, unless, and provided that.
– “We will go hiking if the weather is nice.”
– “You won’t succeed unless you work hard.”
– “You can borrow my car provided that you return it by six.”
Contrast
These conjunctions show a contrast or exception. Common examples are although, though, and whereas.
– “She went to the party although she was tired.”
– “He is very friendly, whereas his brother is quite reserved.”
– “They decided to go out, even though it was late.”
Time
These conjunctions indicate when something happens. Examples include when, while, after, before, until, and as soon as.
– “Call me when you arrive.”
– “He was watching TV while she was cooking.”
– “We’ll start the meeting after everyone arrives.”
– “Finish your homework before you go out.”
– “We will wait until you are ready.”
– “She left as soon as she heard the news.”
How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions
Using subordinating conjunctions correctly can greatly enhance the clarity and sophistication of your writing. Here are some guidelines to help you master their use:
Position in the Sentence
A subordinating conjunction can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. If it starts the sentence, a comma should follow the dependent clause. If it appears in the middle, no comma is needed.
– “Because it was raining, I stayed at home.”
– “I stayed at home because it was raining.”
Both sentences are correct, but the placement of the conjunction can subtly change the emphasis.
Creating Complex Sentences
Combining an independent clause with a dependent clause allows you to create complex sentences. This helps you convey more detailed information and show the relationship between ideas.
– Simple Sentence: “I was tired.”
– Simple Sentence: “I went to bed early.”
– Complex Sentence: “I went to bed early because I was tired.”
The complex sentence provides a clearer picture of why the action took place.
Common Pitfalls
Be mindful of common mistakes when using subordinating conjunctions. One common error is creating sentence fragments by using a dependent clause as a standalone sentence.
– Incorrect: “Because I was tired.”
– Correct: “I went to bed early because I was tired.”
Another mistake is failing to use a comma after the dependent clause when it starts the sentence.
– Incorrect: “Although it was late we decided to go out.”
– Correct: “Although it was late, we decided to go out.”
Advanced Usage of Subordinating Conjunctions
Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can explore more advanced uses of subordinating conjunctions to add complexity and nuance to your writing.
Combining Multiple Subordinating Conjunctions
You can combine multiple subordinating conjunctions to express more complex relationships between ideas.
– “We decided to go hiking even though it was raining because we had already planned the trip.”
In this sentence, “even though” introduces a contrast, and “because” provides a reason.
Using Subordinating Conjunctions in Parallel Structures
Parallel structures involve using the same pattern of words or phrases to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Subordinating conjunctions can be used in parallel structures to emphasize the relationship between clauses.
– “She likes to read while he prefers to write.”
– “You can either come with us or stay at home.”
Subordinating Conjunctions in Formal Writing
In formal writing, subordinating conjunctions can help you create more sophisticated and nuanced arguments. They allow you to present multiple perspectives and provide supporting evidence for your claims.
– “While some researchers argue that the new policy will improve public health, others believe that it may have unintended consequences.”
– “Although the initial results are promising, further studies are needed to confirm the findings.”
Exercises and Practice
To master subordinating conjunctions, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you improve your skills:
Exercise 1: Identify the Subordinating Conjunction
Read the following sentences and identify the subordinating conjunction.
1. “She went to bed early because she was tired.”
2. “Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.”
3. “He will call you when he arrives.”
4. “We can’t start the meeting until everyone is here.”
5. “If you work hard, you will succeed.”
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences Using Subordinating Conjunctions
Combine the following pairs of sentences into complex sentences using the appropriate subordinating conjunction.
1. “I was hungry. I ate a sandwich.” (because)
2. “She finished her homework. She went out to play.” (after)
3. “It started to rain. We went inside.” (when)
4. “He didn’t study. He failed the exam.” (since)
5. “She is very talented. She is humble.” (although)
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. “Because I was tired. I went to bed early.”
2. “Although it was late we decided to go out.”
3. “He can’t come to the party since he has to work.”
4. “If you don’t hurry, we will be late.”
5. “Unless you study hard. You won’t pass the exam.”
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools for creating complex sentences that convey precise and nuanced relationships between ideas. By understanding and mastering their use, you can greatly enhance the clarity, coherence, and sophistication of your writing. Whether you are writing an academic essay, a professional report, or simply communicating in everyday conversation, subordinating conjunctions will help you express your thoughts more effectively.
Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to sentence structure, and explore advanced uses of subordinating conjunctions to continue improving your writing skills. With time and effort, you will become more confident and proficient in using these powerful grammatical tools.
Happy learning!
