Subordinating conjunctions are a crucial part of English grammar that often perplex language learners. Understanding these conjunctions is essential for constructing complex sentences and expressing nuanced ideas. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of subordinating conjunctions, their functions, and how to use them effectively in your writing and speech.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect an independent clause with a dependent clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, whereas a dependent clause cannot. The subordinating conjunctions provide a bridge between these two types of clauses, adding depth and complexity to sentences.
For example:
– “I stayed home **because** it was raining.”
– “She went to bed early **although** she was not tired.”
In both examples, the words “because” and “although” are subordinating conjunctions that link the independent clause to the dependent clause, providing a reason or a contrast.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
Here is a list of some of the most common subordinating conjunctions you will encounter:
– **Because**: Provides a reason.
– **Although**: Indicates contrast.
– **Since**: Indicates time or causality.
– **If**: Introduces a condition.
– **When**: Indicates time.
– **While**: Indicates time or contrast.
– **Unless**: Introduces a condition.
– **After**: Indicates time.
– **Before**: Indicates time.
– **Until**: Indicates time.
– **As**: Indicates time, cause, or manner.
– **Though**: Indicates contrast.
– **Even though**: Indicates contrast.
These words help add more information to the main clause, making your sentences richer and more informative.
Functions of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions serve several functions in a sentence. Understanding these functions will help you use them more effectively.
Cause and Effect
Some subordinating conjunctions indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between two clauses. Common examples include “because,” “since,” and “as.”
– “She was late **because** the traffic was heavy.”
– “I will go for a run **since** the weather is nice.”
– “He acted **as** if nothing had happened.”
In these examples, the subordinating conjunctions provide the reason for the action in the main clause.
Contrast
Other subordinating conjunctions indicate contrast or opposition, such as “although,” “though,” “even though,” and “while.”
– “He went for a walk **although** it was raining.”
– “She continued to work **even though** she was tired.”
– “I enjoy hiking **while** my brother prefers swimming.”
These subordinating conjunctions highlight a difference or opposition between the ideas in the two clauses.
Time
Subordinating conjunctions can also indicate time relationships between actions or events. Common examples include “when,” “while,” “after,” “before,” “until,” and “as.”
– “Call me **when** you arrive.”
– “She was reading a book **while** he was cooking dinner.”
– “We went to the beach **after** we finished our work.”
These conjunctions help specify when one action or event occurs in relation to another.
Condition
Subordinating conjunctions like “if,” “unless,” and “provided that” introduce conditional relationships.
– “I will go to the party **if** I finish my homework.”
– “You won’t succeed **unless** you try.”
– “We can start the project **provided that** we get approval.”
These conjunctions set up a condition that must be met for the action in the main clause to occur.
Positioning of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. However, the placement affects the punctuation of the sentence.
Beginning of a Sentence
When a subordinating conjunction starts a sentence, a comma typically follows the dependent clause.
– “**Although** it was raining, he went for a walk.”
– “**If** you finish your homework, you can watch TV.”
– “**When** she arrived, the meeting had already started.”
In these examples, the dependent clauses come first, followed by a comma and the independent clause.
Middle of a Sentence
When a subordinating conjunction appears in the middle of a sentence, no comma is needed.
– “He went for a walk **although** it was raining.”
– “You can watch TV **if** you finish your homework.”
– “The meeting had already started **when** she arrived.”
Here, the independent clause comes first, followed directly by the subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions vs. Coordinating Conjunctions
It’s important to distinguish subordinating conjunctions from coordinating conjunctions. While subordinating conjunctions join an independent clause with a dependent clause, coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses or elements of equal grammatical rank. The most common coordinating conjunctions are “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet.”
– “I wanted to go for a walk, **but** it was raining.”
– “She can sing **and** dance.”
In these sentences, the coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses or elements, unlike subordinating conjunctions that introduce dependent clauses.
Complex Sentences
Subordinating conjunctions are essential for creating complex sentences. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. These sentences are useful for adding detail and sophistication to your writing.
– “She didn’t go to the party **because** she was feeling ill.”
– “**While** he was studying, his friends were playing outside.”
– “They decided to stay home **since** the weather was bad.”
In each of these examples, the complex sentence is formed by combining an independent clause with a dependent clause using a subordinating conjunction.
Exercises for Practice
To master subordinating conjunctions, practice is key. 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 in each one.
1. “I will call you when I arrive.”
2. “Although it was late, she decided to go for a run.”
3. “He studied hard because he wanted to pass the exam.”
4. “You can go out to play after you finish your homework.”
5. “She kept quiet since everyone was sleeping.”
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences Using Subordinating Conjunctions
Combine the following pairs of sentences using an appropriate subordinating conjunction.
1. “I was hungry. I made a sandwich.” (because)
2. “She was tired. She continued to work.” (although)
3. “He finished his homework. He went to bed.” (after)
4. “It started to rain. They went inside.” (when)
5. “You won’t understand. You read the book.” (unless)
Exercise 3: Create Complex Sentences
Create complex sentences using the following subordinating conjunctions. Make sure each sentence has one independent clause and one dependent clause.
1. Since
2. While
3. If
4. Because
5. Although
Tips for Using Subordinating Conjunctions
Here are some tips to help you use subordinating conjunctions more effectively in your writing and speech.
Vary Your Sentence Structure
Avoid repetitive sentence structures by varying the placement of your subordinating conjunctions. Mix sentences that begin with dependent clauses and those that place the dependent clause after the independent clause. This will make your writing more engaging.
– “Although it was raining, he went for a walk.”
– “He went for a walk although it was raining.”
Use Appropriate Conjunctions
Choose the right subordinating conjunction for the relationship you want to express. For example, use “because” for reasons, “although” for contrasts, and “when” for time.
– Incorrect: “She was happy although she got a promotion.”
– Correct: “She was happy because she got a promotion.”
Practice, Practice, Practice
The best way to master subordinating conjunctions is through consistent practice. Write sentences and paragraphs using different subordinating conjunctions. Pay attention to how they change the meaning and flow of your sentences.
Common Mistakes with Subordinating Conjunctions
Understanding common mistakes can help you avoid them. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for.
Misplacing the Comma
Remember that when a subordinating conjunction starts a sentence, the dependent clause should be followed by a comma. However, when the subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence, no comma is needed.
– Incorrect: “When she arrived the meeting had already started.”
– Correct: “When she arrived, the meeting had already started.”
– Incorrect: “He went for a walk, although it was raining.”
– Correct: “He went for a walk although it was raining.”
Choosing the Wrong Conjunction
Ensure that the subordinating conjunction you choose accurately conveys the relationship between the clauses. Using the wrong conjunction can confuse the reader and distort the meaning of your sentence.
– Incorrect: “She was happy although she got a promotion.”
– Correct: “She was happy because she got a promotion.”
Fragment Sentences
Avoid creating fragment sentences by ensuring that every dependent clause is paired with an independent clause.
– Incorrect: “Because it was raining.”
– Correct: “I stayed home because it was raining.”
Advanced Usage of Subordinating Conjunctions
Once you are comfortable with basic subordinating conjunctions, you can explore more advanced uses to enhance your writing further.
Correlative Subordinating Conjunctions
Some subordinating conjunctions work in pairs, known as correlative subordinating conjunctions. Examples include “not only… but also,” “no sooner… than,” and “rather… than.”
– “She is **not only** intelligent **but also** hardworking.”
– “**No sooner** had he arrived **than** he was called back to the office.”
– “I would **rather** stay home **than** go out in this weather.”
Subordinating Conjunctions with Multiple Clauses
You can also use subordinating conjunctions to connect multiple clauses in a sentence, adding layers of complexity.
– “She stayed home because it was raining, although she really wanted to go out, and since she had no umbrella, she had no choice.”
In this example, “because,” “although,” and “since” are used to create a sentence with multiple dependent clauses, each adding different information.
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions are indispensable tools for any language learner aiming to create complex, meaningful sentences. They help in connecting ideas, showing relationships, and adding depth to your writing and speech. By understanding their functions, practicing their use, and avoiding common mistakes, you can master subordinating conjunctions and significantly improve your English language skills. Happy learning!
