In the realm of English grammar, conjunctions play a pivotal role in connecting words, phrases, and clauses. Among the various types of conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions are particularly important for creating complex sentences that add depth and detail to our communication. Understanding subordinating conjunctions can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills, allowing you to convey more nuanced ideas and relationships between concepts.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that link an independent clause with a dependent clause, establishing a relationship between the two. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot. The subordinating conjunction introduces the dependent clause and indicates how it relates to the independent clause.
Common subordinating conjunctions include: after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, unless, until, when, where, and while.
Functions of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions serve several functions in sentences. They can express:
Cause and Effect
Subordinating conjunctions like because, since, and as indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between the clauses.
– Because: “She stayed home because she was feeling ill.”
– Since: “Since it was raining, the match was postponed.”
– As: “As the sun set, the temperature dropped.”
Condition
Conjunctions such as if, unless, and provided that introduce conditional clauses that depend on certain circumstances.
– If: “If you study hard, you will pass the exam.”
– Unless: “You won’t succeed unless you put in the effort.”
– Provided that: “You can go out provided that you finish your homework.”
Contrast
Words like although, though, even though, and whereas express contrast between ideas.
– Although: “Although he was tired, he continued working.”
– Though: “She agreed to help, though she had other plans.”
– Even though: “Even though it was cold, they went for a swim.”
– Whereas: “He likes tea, whereas she prefers coffee.”
Time
Subordinating conjunctions such as when, before, after, while, until, and since indicate temporal relationships.
– When: “Call me when you arrive.”
– Before: “Finish your work before you leave.”
– After: “We can discuss it after the meeting.”
– While: “She read a book while waiting for the train.”
– Until: “He waited until she returned.”
– Since: “They have been friends since childhood.”
Positioning of Subordinate Clauses
Dependent clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. The placement of the clause can affect the emphasis of the sentence.
Beginning of a Sentence
When the dependent clause comes first, it is usually followed by a comma.
– “Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic.”
– “Although he was tired, he finished the project.”
Middle of a Sentence
When the dependent clause appears in the middle, it is typically set off by commas if it provides non-essential information.
– “The game, because of the storm, was postponed.”
– “The project, although challenging, was completed on time.”
End of a Sentence
When the dependent clause comes at the end, no comma is usually needed.
– “We canceled the picnic because it was raining.”
– “He finished the project although he was tired.”
Using Subordinating Conjunctions for Clarity and Variety
Incorporating subordinating conjunctions into your writing can improve clarity and variety. They help to:
Clarify Relationships
Subordinating conjunctions make it clear how ideas are related, whether by cause, condition, contrast, or time. This precision helps the reader understand your message better.
– “She left early because she had an appointment.”
– “You can borrow my car if you return it by evening.”
Add Complexity and Interest
Using a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences makes your writing more engaging. Subordinating conjunctions allow you to create complex sentences that add depth to your writing.
– “The teacher was impressed because the student had done extensive research, although it was his first time presenting.”
Vary Sentence Structure
Varying sentence structure helps to maintain the reader’s interest. Subordinating conjunctions enable you to start sentences in different ways, avoiding monotonous patterns.
– “While she was waiting, she read a book.”
– “She read a book while she was waiting.”
Common Mistakes with Subordinating Conjunctions
Even seasoned writers can make mistakes when using subordinating conjunctions. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Fragmented Sentences
A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Ensure it is always connected to an independent clause.
– Incorrect: “Because it was late.”
– Correct: “We left because it was late.”
Misplaced Commas
Use commas correctly with dependent clauses. Generally, a comma is needed when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.
– Incorrect: “Because it was raining we stayed indoors.”
– Correct: “Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.”
Incorrect Conjunction Choice
Choose the appropriate subordinating conjunction to convey the intended relationship between clauses.
– Incorrect: “He went out even though it was raining hard.”
– Correct: “He went out although it was raining hard.”
Subordinating Conjunctions in Different Contexts
Subordinating conjunctions are versatile and can be used in various contexts, including formal writing, casual conversation, and academic discourse.
Formal Writing
In formal writing, such as essays or reports, subordinating conjunctions help to construct well-organized and coherent arguments.
– “The study was successful because it employed rigorous methodologies.”
– “Although the initial results were inconclusive, further research provided clarity.”
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, subordinating conjunctions make your conversations more natural and detailed.
– “I’ll call you if I get off work early.”
– “She was happy because she passed the exam.”
Academic Discourse
In academic writing, subordinating conjunctions are crucial for presenting complex ideas and relationships.
– “Since the data supports the hypothesis, we can conclude that the theory is valid.”
– “Although previous research suggests otherwise, our findings indicate a different trend.”
Practice Exercises
To master subordinating conjunctions, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned:
Exercise 1: Identify Subordinating Conjunctions
Read the following sentences and identify the subordinating conjunctions:
1. She left early because she had an appointment.
2. If it rains, we will cancel the trip.
3. Although he was tired, he finished the project.
4. We waited until she arrived.
5. Since it was a holiday, the office was closed.
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences
Combine the following pairs of sentences using appropriate subordinating conjunctions:
1. The weather was bad. We decided to stay home.
2. He studied hard. He didn’t pass the test.
3. She will join us. She finishes her work.
4. They were happy. They won the game.
5. I read a book. I waited for the bus.
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
1. Unless you don’t hurry, you will miss the train.
2. Although it was raining, but we went for a walk.
3. When he called me, I was busy.
4. Because the traffic was heavy. We were late.
5. If you want to succeed, you must work hard.
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools in the English language, allowing you to create complex, meaningful sentences that convey clear relationships between ideas. By understanding and correctly using subordinating conjunctions, you can enhance both your written and spoken communication. Practice regularly, pay attention to the nuances of each conjunction, and soon you’ll find yourself using them with confidence and ease. Happy learning!
