When diving into the intricacies of the English language, one cannot overlook the importance of conjunctions, particularly subordinating conjunctions. These small but mighty words serve as the glue that holds complex sentences together, allowing us to express nuanced ideas and intricate relationships between different parts of a sentence. Understanding subordinating conjunctions can significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills, providing clarity and depth to your communication.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect an independent clause (a complete sentence) with a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence). The role of these conjunctions is to show a relationship between the two clauses, such as cause and effect, contrast, purpose, time, or condition. Some common subordinating conjunctions include:
– Because
– Although
– Since
– Unless
– While
– When
– If
– After
– Before
For instance, in the sentence “I went to bed early because I was tired,” “because” is the subordinating conjunction that links the independent clause “I went to bed early” with the dependent clause “I was tired.”
Types of Relationships Expressed by Subordinating Conjunctions
Understanding the different types of relationships that subordinating conjunctions can express will help you use them more effectively in your writing. Let’s explore some of these relationships:
1. Cause and Effect
Subordinating conjunctions like “because,” “since,” and “as” are used to show a cause-and-effect relationship between two clauses. For example:
– “She didn’t go to the party because she was feeling ill.”
– “Since it was raining, we decided to stay indoors.”
– “As he was the oldest, he took on the responsibility.”
In each of these sentences, the subordinating conjunction introduces a reason or cause for the action in the main clause.
2. Contrast
When you want to show contrast between two ideas, subordinating conjunctions such as “although,” “though,” “even though,” and “whereas” come in handy. For instance:
– “Although it was cold, they went for a swim.”
– “She continued to work hard even though she was exhausted.”
– “Whereas John loves classical music, his brother prefers rock.”
These conjunctions highlight a difference or contrast between the two clauses.
3. Purpose
Subordinating conjunctions like “so that” and “in order that” are used to express the purpose of an action. Examples include:
– “He left early so that he could catch the first train.”
– “She studied hard in order that she might pass the exam.”
In these sentences, the subordinating conjunction introduces the purpose behind the action in the main clause.
4. Time
Time relationships can be expressed using subordinating conjunctions such as “when,” “while,” “before,” “after,” “until,” and “as soon as.” For example:
– “When the bell rang, the students left the classroom.”
– “She was reading a book while he was watching TV.”
– “We will start the meeting after everyone arrives.”
These conjunctions indicate the timing of one event in relation to another.
5. Condition
To express conditions, subordinating conjunctions such as “if,” “unless,” “provided that,” and “as long as” are used. For instance:
– “If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.”
– “You can borrow my car as long as you return it by evening.”
– “She won’t succeed unless she works hard.”
These conjunctions introduce a condition that must be met for the action in the main clause to occur.
Position of Subordinating Conjunctions in Sentences
Subordinating conjunctions can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. When the subordinating conjunction and its dependent clause come at the beginning of the sentence, a comma is typically used to separate the two clauses. For example:
– “Because she was tired, she went to bed early.”
– “Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.”
When the subordinating conjunction and its dependent clause come after the independent clause, no comma is usually needed:
– “She went to bed early because she was tired.”
– “They decided to go for a walk although it was raining.”
Common Mistakes with Subordinating Conjunctions
Even proficient English speakers sometimes make mistakes with subordinating conjunctions. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
1. Misplacing the Comma
As mentioned earlier, when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma is required. However, many people forget this rule. Compare:
– Correct: “After the meeting ended, we went for lunch.”
– Incorrect: “After the meeting ended we went for lunch.”
2. Using the Wrong Conjunction
Different subordinating conjunctions express different relationships, so using the wrong one can change the meaning of your sentence. For instance:
– Incorrect: “She went to bed early although she was tired.” (Although suggests a contrast, not a reason.)
– Correct: “She went to bed early because she was tired.”
3. Sentence Fragments
A dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Many people mistakenly write sentence fragments. For example:
– Incorrect: “Because I was hungry.”
– Correct: “Because I was hungry, I made myself a sandwich.”
Advanced Usage of Subordinating Conjunctions
Once you are comfortable with basic subordinating conjunctions, you can explore more complex structures and combinations to enhance your writing further.
1. Combining Multiple Conjunctions
In some cases, you may need to use more than one subordinating conjunction to express complex relationships. For example:
– “Although it was raining, we went for a walk because we needed fresh air.”
– “She stayed up late so that she could finish her project, even though she was exhausted.”
These sentences use multiple subordinating conjunctions to convey intricate relationships between ideas.
2. Reduced Adverb Clauses
In more advanced writing, you can sometimes reduce adverb clauses to make your sentences more concise. This often involves omitting the subordinating conjunction and the subject. For example:
– Full Clause: “While he was reading, he fell asleep.”
– Reduced Clause: “While reading, he fell asleep.”
– Full Clause: “Because she was tired, she went to bed early.”
– Reduced Clause: “Being tired, she went to bed early.”
3. Subordinating Conjunctions in Academic Writing
In academic writing, subordinating conjunctions are crucial for constructing well-organized arguments and analyses. They help to clarify the relationships between different pieces of evidence and points of analysis. For example:
– “Although the study has some limitations, its findings are significant because they provide new insights into the field.”
– “While previous research focused on X, this study explores Y to offer a more comprehensive understanding.”
In these examples, subordinating conjunctions help to create a logical flow and structure in the writing.
Practical Exercises for Mastery
To become proficient in using subordinating conjunctions, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you master their usage:
1. Sentence Combining
Take two simple sentences and combine them using a subordinating conjunction. For example:
– Simple Sentences: “It was raining. We went for a walk.”
– Combined Sentence: “Although it was raining, we went for a walk.”
Practice this with different sentences and conjunctions to become more comfortable with their usage.
2. Identifying Subordinating Conjunctions
Read a passage from a book or an article and highlight all the subordinating conjunctions. Analyze how they are used to connect ideas and what relationships they express.
3. Writing Prompts
Use writing prompts that require the use of subordinating conjunctions. For example:
– Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision. Use subordinating conjunctions to explain the reasons and outcomes.
– Write about a memorable event in your life, highlighting contrasting emotions or situations using subordinating conjunctions.
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools in the English language that enable us to connect ideas and express complex relationships between them. By understanding their various functions and practicing their usage, you can enhance both your writing and speaking skills. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone looking to improve your language abilities, mastering subordinating conjunctions will undoubtedly contribute to more effective and nuanced communication. So, the next time you craft a sentence, remember the power of these small but significant words, and let them help you articulate your thoughts with clarity and precision.
