When learning English, you encounter various elements that help in forming complex and meaningful sentences. One such element is the **subordinating conjunction**. These conjunctions play a crucial role in linking clauses and providing a clear and coherent structure to your sentences. Understanding subordinating conjunctions can significantly enhance your writing and speaking abilities, making your communication more effective and engaging.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that connect a **dependent clause** (also known as a subordinate clause) to an **independent clause**. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it needs an independent clause to form a complete thought. In contrast, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
For example:
– “I will go to the park **if** it stops raining.”
– “She was happy **because** she passed the exam.”
In these sentences, “if” and “because” are subordinating conjunctions that link the dependent clauses to the independent clauses.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
There are numerous subordinating conjunctions in English. Some of the most common ones include:
– **After**: Indicates time. (e.g., “We can leave **after** the meeting ends.”)
– **Although**: Indicates contrast. (e.g., “**Although** it was raining, we went for a walk.”)
– **As**: Indicates time or reason. (e.g., “She cried **as** she watched the movie.”)
– **Because**: Indicates reason. (e.g., “I stayed home **because** I was tired.”)
– **Before**: Indicates time. (e.g., “Finish your homework **before** you go out.”)
– **If**: Indicates condition. (e.g., “Call me **if** you need help.”)
– **Since**: Indicates time or reason. (e.g., “I haven’t seen her **since** she moved.”)
– **Though**: Indicates contrast. (e.g., “He kept working **though** he was tired.”)
– **Unless**: Indicates condition. (e.g., “You won’t succeed **unless** you try.”)
– **Until**: Indicates time. (e.g., “Wait here **until** I come back.”)
– **When**: Indicates time. (e.g., “Call me **when** you arrive.”)
– **While**: Indicates time. (e.g., “I read a book **while** waiting for the bus.”)
How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions
Using subordinating conjunctions correctly is essential for forming coherent and grammatically correct sentences. Here are some guidelines to help you:
Placement of Clauses
Subordinating conjunctions can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. When the dependent clause comes first, it is usually followed by a comma. When the independent clause comes first, a comma is not typically used.
For example:
– “**Although** it was late, we continued our journey.”
– “We continued our journey **although** it was late.”
Both sentences are correct, but the placement of the subordinating conjunction and the use of the comma differ.
Combining Sentences
Subordinating conjunctions are often used to combine two related sentences into one complex sentence. This helps to create a more cohesive narrative.
For example:
– Simple sentences: “It was raining. We went to the park.”
– Combined sentence: “We went to the park **although** it was raining.”
By using “although,” you combine the two simple sentences into one complex sentence, providing a clearer connection between the ideas.
Avoiding Sentence Fragments
A common mistake when using subordinating conjunctions is creating sentence fragments. A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks an independent clause.
For example:
– Incorrect: “**Because** I was tired.”
– Correct: “I went to bed early **because** I was tired.”
The incorrect example is a fragment because it lacks an independent clause. The correct example includes both the dependent and independent clauses, forming a complete sentence.
Types of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they indicate between the clauses. Here are some of the main types:
Time
These conjunctions indicate when something happens:
– **After**: “We will start the meeting **after** everyone arrives.”
– **Before**: “Finish your homework **before** you watch TV.”
– **When**: “Call me **when** you get home.”
– **While**: “She was cooking **while** he was reading.”
Cause and Effect
These conjunctions indicate why something happens:
– **Because**: “She was late **because** she missed the bus.”
– **Since**: “I haven’t seen her **since** she moved.”
– **As**: “He left early **as** he had an appointment.”
Condition
These conjunctions indicate a condition for something to happen:
– **If**: “We will go for a walk **if** it doesn’t rain.”
– **Unless**: “You can’t go out **unless** you finish your homework.”
Contrast
These conjunctions indicate a contrast between two ideas:
– **Although**: “She went out **although** it was raining.”
– **Though**: “He kept working **though** he was tired.”
– **Even though**: “She smiled **even though** she was upset.”
Subordinating Conjunctions vs. Coordinating Conjunctions
It’s important to distinguish between **subordinating conjunctions** and **coordinating conjunctions**. While both types of conjunctions connect clauses, they do so in different ways and serve different purposes.
Subordinating Conjunctions
As discussed, subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, creating a complex sentence. The dependent clause cannot stand alone and relies on the independent clause to form a complete thought.
For example:
– “She was happy **because** she passed the exam.”
In this sentence, “because” is a subordinating conjunction that connects the dependent clause (“because she passed the exam”) to the independent clause (“She was happy”).
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions, on the other hand, connect two independent clauses or items of equal importance. The most common coordinating conjunctions are **for**, **and**, **nor**, **but**, **or**, **yet**, and **so** (often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS).
For example:
– “I wanted to go for a walk, **but** it started raining.”
In this sentence, “but” is a coordinating conjunction that connects the two independent clauses (“I wanted to go for a walk” and “it started raining”).
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions in Sentences
To further illustrate the use of subordinating conjunctions, here are some examples:
– **After**: “We went for ice cream **after** the movie ended.”
– **Although**: “**Although** he was tired, he continued working.”
– **As**: “She smiled **as** she received the award.”
– **Because**: “They stayed inside **because** it was raining.”
– **Before**: “Make sure to pack your bag **before** you leave.”
– **If**: “You can come to the party **if** you finish your homework.”
– **Since**: “She has been happy **since** she started her new job.”
– **Though**: “He enjoyed the trip **though** it was exhausting.”
– **Unless**: “You won’t get better **unless** you take your medicine.”
– **Until**: “We can’t start the meeting **until** everyone is here.”
– **When**: “Call me **when** you are ready.”
– **While**: “He read a book **while** waiting for the train.”
Practice Exercises
To master the use of subordinating conjunctions, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences by choosing the correct subordinating conjunction from the list:
– after, because, although, if, until, while
1. I will wait here ______ you finish your meeting.
2. She was late ______ she missed the bus.
3. ______ he was tired, he continued working.
4. We can go out to play ______ it stops raining.
5. They decided to have dinner ______ the show ended.
6. She was reading a book ______ waiting for her friend.
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences
Combine the following pairs of sentences using the appropriate subordinating conjunction:
1. She studied hard. She wanted to pass the exam. (because)
2. It was raining. They went for a walk. (although)
3. He was hungry. He didn’t eat. (though)
4. We will start the meeting. Everyone arrives. (when)
5. You can go out. You finish your homework. (if)
Answers to Exercises
Here are the answers to the exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
1. I will wait here **until** you finish your meeting.
2. She was late **because** she missed the bus.
3. **Although** he was tired, he continued working.
4. We can go out to play **if** it stops raining.
5. They decided to have dinner **after** the show ended.
6. She was reading a book **while** waiting for her friend.
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences
1. She studied hard **because** she wanted to pass the exam.
2. **Although** it was raining, they went for a walk.
3. **Though** he was hungry, he didn’t eat.
4. We will start the meeting **when** everyone arrives.
5. You can go out **if** you finish your homework.
Conclusion
Understanding and using subordinating conjunctions correctly is crucial for mastering English grammar. These conjunctions help to create complex sentences, providing clarity and coherence to your writing and speaking. By recognizing the different types of subordinating conjunctions and practicing their use, you can enhance your language skills and communicate more effectively.
Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you practice using subordinating conjunctions in your sentences, the more natural they will become. So, keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using subordinating conjunctions with confidence and ease.
