Subordinating conjunctions are a fundamental aspect of English grammar, often playing a critical role in forming complex sentences. For English language learners, mastering the use of subordinating conjunctions can significantly enhance both written and spoken communication. This article will delve into the intricacies of subordinating conjunctions, providing a comprehensive understanding of their functions, types, and usage, along with practical examples and exercises to solidify your learning.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot. The subordinating conjunction helps to show the relationship between the two clauses, indicating time, cause and effect, contrast, condition, and more.
For example:
– “I will call you after I arrive.”
– “She was late because she missed the bus.”
In these sentences, “after” and “because” are the subordinating conjunctions linking the dependent clauses to the independent clauses.
Types of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they indicate between the clauses. Let’s explore the main categories:
1. Time
These conjunctions indicate when something happens in relation to something else. Some common time-related subordinating conjunctions include:
– After: “We can go out after it stops raining.”
– Before: “Finish your homework before you watch TV.”
– When: “Call me when you get home.”
– While: “She read a book while waiting for the bus.”
– Until: “I will stay here until you return.”
– As soon as: “Let me know as soon as you hear any news.”
2. Cause and Effect
These conjunctions show the reason for something or the result of something. Common cause-and-effect subordinating conjunctions include:
– Because: “I stayed home because I was feeling sick.”
– Since: “Since you’re here, let’s start the meeting.”
– So that: “She saved money so that she could buy a car.”
– As: “He left early as he had an appointment.”
3. Contrast
These conjunctions highlight a contrast or difference between two clauses. Some examples are:
– Although: “Although it was raining, we went for a walk.”
– Though: “Though he is young, he is very responsible.”
– Even though: “Even though she was tired, she finished the project.”
– Whereas: “Tom is tall, whereas Jerry is short.”
– While: “I prefer tea, while my sister likes coffee.”
4. Condition
These conjunctions express a condition that must be met for something to happen. Examples include:
– If: “I will go to the party if I finish my work.”
– Unless: “You won’t pass the test unless you study.”
– Provided that: “You can borrow my car provided that you return it by 6 PM.”
– As long as: “We can have a picnic as long as the weather is nice.”
5. Purpose
These conjunctions show the purpose of an action. Common purpose-related subordinating conjunctions include:
– So that: “He speaks loudly so that everyone can hear him.”
– In order that: “She works hard in order that she can achieve her goals.”
How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions
Using subordinating conjunctions effectively involves understanding how to structure sentences and punctuate them correctly. Here are some guidelines:
1. Sentence Structure
A complex sentence typically consists of an independent clause and a dependent clause connected by a subordinating conjunction. The dependent clause can either precede or follow the independent clause.
– If the dependent clause comes first, it is usually followed by a comma:
– “Although it was late, they continued working.”
– If the independent clause comes first, a comma is generally not needed:
– “They continued working although it was late.”
2. Punctuation
Proper punctuation is crucial for clarity and readability. The general rules are:
– Use a comma after the dependent clause if it comes at the beginning of the sentence:
– “When the bell rings, the students leave the classroom.”
– Do not use a comma if the dependent clause follows the independent clause:
– “The students leave the classroom when the bell rings.”
3. Avoiding Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
– Avoid sentence fragments: Ensure that your dependent clause is always paired with an independent clause.
– Incorrect: “Because I was tired.”
– Correct: “I went to bed early because I was tired.”
– Do not confuse coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” “or”) with subordinating conjunctions.
– Coordinating conjunction: “She wanted to go to the park, but it was raining.”
– Subordinating conjunction: “She stayed home because it was raining.”
Examples and Practice
To deepen your understanding, let’s look at some more examples and practice exercises.
Examples
1. Time:
– “After we finish dinner, we will watch a movie.”
– “She always takes a walk before she starts her day.”
2. Cause and Effect:
– “I missed the bus because I woke up late.”
– “Since it’s raining, we’ll stay indoors.”
3. Contrast:
– “Although he is wealthy, he lives modestly.”
– “While I enjoy cooking, my brother prefers eating out.”
4. Condition:
– “If you need help, just ask.”
– “We will go hiking unless it rains.”
5. Purpose:
– “She is studying hard so that she can pass the exam.”
– “He left early in order that he could catch the train.”
Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate subordinating conjunction (after, because, although, if, so that):
– “________ it was raining, we went for a walk.”
– “I will call you ________ I arrive.”
– “He studied hard ________ he could get a scholarship.”
– “________ you finish your homework, you can watch TV.”
– “She was late ________ she missed the bus.”
2. Combine the following pairs of sentences using subordinating conjunctions:
– “She didn’t feel well. She went to work.”
– “I will finish my work. I will go to the party.”
– “We can go for a walk. The weather is nice.”
– “He was tired. He finished the project.”
– “I prefer tea. My sister likes coffee.”
Advanced Usage
Once you are comfortable with basic subordinating conjunctions, you can explore more advanced usage, including correlative subordinating conjunctions and multiple clauses.
Correlative Subordinating Conjunctions
These conjunctions work in pairs to link clauses. Examples include:
– “Not only… but also”: “She is not only smart but also hardworking.”
– “Whether… or”: “I can’t decide whether to go out or stay home.”
Multiple Clauses
In more complex sentences, you may have multiple dependent and independent clauses. For example:
– “When the bell rang, the students left the classroom because the class was over.”
– “Although it was raining, we went for a walk after we finished our homework.”
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools for creating complex, nuanced sentences in English. By understanding their types, functions, and proper usage, you can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills. Practice using subordinating conjunctions in various contexts, and soon they will become a natural part of your language repertoire. Happy learning!
