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Subordinating Conjunctions
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What Are Subordinating Conjunctions? (with Examples)
Subordinating conjunctions are used to link subordinate clauses (also known as dependent clauses) to main clauses (also known as independent clauses).
Easy Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
In each example below, the subordinating conjunction is in bold, and the subordinate clause is shaded. (The normal text is the main clause.)- Keep your hand on the wound until the bleeding stops. (The subordinate clause sets a time.)
- Steve will sleep wherever there's a bed. (The subordinate clause sets a place.)
- She left early because Tony arrived with his new girlfriend. (The subordinate clause sets a reason.)
- If it rains, the bet is off. (The subordinate clause sets a condition.)
- Even though she's skint, she'll still look a million dollars. (The subordinate clause sets a concession.)
- I will succeed whereas you will fail. (The subordinate clause sets a comparison.)
A List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions
Here is a list of common subordinating conjunctions:
after although as as soon as because before by the time even if even though every time if in case |
in order that in the event that just in case now that once only if provided that rather than since so that than that |
though until when whenever where whereas wherever whether whether or not while why |
The Function of a Subordinating Conjunction
When a sentence has an independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause, it is known as a complex sentence. In a complex sentence, the dependent clause establishes a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause. (The subordinating conjunction provides the bridge between the main clause and the dependent clause.)Real-Life Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
- I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. (Comedian Groucho Marx) (The subordinate clause establishes a time for the main clause.)
- Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity. (Greek physician Hippocrates) (The subordinate clause establishes a place for the main clause.)
- People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs. (The subordinate clause establishes a reason for the main clause.)
- Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not quite clear to him. (Author Paul Eldridge) (The subordinate clause establishes a condition for the main clause.)
- I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. (Sir Winston Churchill) (The subordinate clause establishes a concession for the main clause.)
- Everyone else my age is an adult whereas I am merely in disguise. (Poet Margaret Atwood) (The subordinate clause establishes a comparison for the main clause.)
Some More Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
Below are some more examples of subordinating conjunctions in sentences. Remember that the role of the subordinating conjunction and subordinate clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition, or a concession for the main clause. This means the clauses in bold are all functioning as adverbs. They're all adverbial clauses.Subordinating Conjunction | Category | Example |
---|---|---|
as | reason | As it's raining, I'm staying in. |
because | reason | I'm staying in because it's raining. |
in order that | reason | In order that I don't miss the postman, I'm staying in. |
since | reason | Since you're going out, I'm staying in. |
so that | reason | I'm staying in so that I don't miss the postman. |
although | concession and comparison | I'm staying in although I'd rather go out. |
as | concession and comparison | I'm staying in as you should. |
even though | concession and comparison | I'm staying in even though the sun is out. |
just as | concession and comparison | I'm staying in just as you should. |
though | concession and comparison | I'm staying in though I wish I weren't. |
whereas | concession and comparison | I'm staying in whereas you are going out. |
while | concession and comparison | I'm staying in while you are going out. |
even if | condition | Even if it rains, I'm going out. |
if | condition | If it rains, I'm staying in. |
in case | condition | I'm staying in in case it rains. |
provided that | condition | Provided it doesn't rain, I'm going out. |
unless | condition | I'm going out unless it rains. |
where | place | I fish where the waves start to form. |
wherever | place | I will live wherever the weather is good. |
after | time | I'm going out after the football has finished. |
as soon as | time | I'm going out as soon as the football has finished. |
as long as | time | I'm staying out as long as the weather stays good. |
before | time | I'm going out before the rain starts. |
once | time | I'm going out once the football has finished. |
till | time | I'm staying out till the weather turns bad. |
until | time | I'm staying out until the weather turns bad. |
when | time | I'm going out when the weather improves. |
whenever | time | I go out whenever the weather is good. |
while | time | I'll stay out while the weather is good. |
The most common question related to subordinating conjunctions is whether to offset the subordinate clause with a comma or not. Here's the guidance.
(Point 1) Put a comma after a fronted adverbial clause.
When a subordinate clause functioning as an adverb starts a sentence, separate it from the main clause with a comma.- If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer? (Comedian Steven Wright)
- Now that I'm over sixty, I'm veering toward respectability. (Actress Shelley Winters)
(Point 2) Don't use a comma if your adverbial clause is at the back.
When a subordinate clause ends a sentence, you can drop the comma.- Should you use a silencer if you shoot at mimes?
- I'm veering toward respectability now that I'm over sixty.
- Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons. (Film director Woody Allen)
- Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not quite clear to him.
Okay, let's complicate the issue a bit. The rule that states "drop the comma when your adverbial clause ends a sentence" is not really a rule. In fact, the rule for post-positioned adverbial clauses (as they're called) is the same as for post-positioned adjective clauses. In other words, use a comma if the adverbial clause is nonessential (i.e., you'd happily put it in brackets or delete it). The problem is that it's flippin' way more difficult to decide whether an adverbial clause is essential or nonessential than it is with an adjective clause. As the vast majority of adverbial clauses are essential, it's pretty safe, but not entirely safe, to declare that a post-positioned adverbial clause isn't preceded by a comma. Read more about using commas with post-positioned adverbial clauses.
- If your subordinate conjunction heads up a clause at the start of your sentence, offset the clause with a comma.
- Don't use a comma if your subordinate conjunction heads up a clause at the back of your sentence, unless you need to put some distance between the subordinate clause and the main clause.
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