Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and show how those clauses relate to a main clause. Words and expressions such as “because,” “although,” “when,” and “as long as” can express reason, contrast, time, condition, or another logical relationship. Using them accurately helps writers combine related ideas, vary sentence structure, and guide readers through an argument or narrative. This article explains common subordinating conjunctions, their functions, punctuation patterns, and ways to practice them.
What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction is a word or fixed expression that introduces a subordinate clause and indicates its relationship to another clause. It often helps form complex sentences by expressing time, reason, condition, purpose, contrast, comparison, or place. A clause introduced this way is grammatically dependent and normally cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, so it must be connected to an appropriate independent clause. Learn more about the broader category of dependent clauses.
Examples:
- “She stayed at home because it was raining.”
- “I will call you when I arrive.”
In these sentences, “because” and “when” are subordinating conjunctions that introduce dependent clauses, providing reasons and time references, respectively.
Subordinating conjunctions differ from coordinating conjunctions in grammatical function. Coordinating conjunctions such as “and,” “but,” and “or” connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. A subordinating conjunction marks one clause as dependent and shows how it relates to a main clause.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
Here are some subordinating conjunctions, grouped by function, with examples to help you remember how to use them:
1. Time
These conjunctions indicate when an action occurs in relation to another.
Common conjunctions include: after, before, when, while, as, since, until, as soon as, once.
Examples:
- “After she finished her homework, she went out to play.”
- “Before we leave, make sure to lock the doors.”
- “He called me as soon as he got the news.”
- “While the children were playing, the parents prepared dinner.”
2. Cause and Effect
These conjunctions introduce a reason or cause for what the main clause states.
Common conjunctions include: because, since, as, now that.
Examples:
- “She stayed home because she wasn’t feeling well.”
- “Since you missed the bus, I’ll drive you to school.”
- “He explained the process again because several people had questions.”
3. Condition/Possibilities
These conjunctions state a condition, exception, or precaution related to the main clause.
Common conjunctions: if, unless, provided that, as long as, even if, in case.
Examples:
- “If it rains, the match will be canceled.”
- “You can borrow the book as long as you return it on time.”
- “We’ll call off the trip unless the weather improves.”
- “We’ll explore other options in case this plan fails.”
4. Contrast/Concession
These conjunctions highlight a contrast between two ideas or unexpected results.
Common conjunctions: although, though, even though, whereas, while.
Examples:
- “Although the project was challenging, it was completed on time.”
- “He kept running even though he was exhausted.”
- “While I enjoy hiking, I prefer relaxing at the beach.”
5. Purpose
These conjunctions explain the goal or intent of an action.
Common conjunctions include: so that, in order that, lest. Expressions such as “so as to” introduce infinitive phrases rather than finite subordinate clauses.
Examples:
- “She left early so that she could catch the train.”
- “The guide was written in order that beginners could follow it easily.”
6. Comparison
Words such as “than” and “as” can introduce comparative clauses. The paired “as … as” pattern expresses equality, but the second “as” introduces the comparison.
Common comparative markers include: than and the second as in an as … as construction.
Examples:
- “She runs faster than her brother does.”
- “He is as skilled as his mentor is.”
7. Place
These conjunctions indicate where an action occurs.
Common conjunctions: where, wherever.
Examples:
- “Leave the keys where I can find them.”
- “He follows her wherever she goes.”
Functions of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions help writers combine clauses while making the relationship between their ideas explicit. Here are several key functions of subordinating conjunctions:
1. Add Depth and Complexity
Subordinating conjunctions help create complex sentences by marking one clause as dependent on another. The subordinate clause can supply context such as time, reason, condition, or contrast.
Examples:
- Simple sentence: “She was tired.”
- Complex sentence: “Although she was tired, she finished her work.”
2. Show Relationships Between Ideas
Subordinating conjunctions clarify logical relationships between ideas, such as cause and effect, contrast, time, condition, or place.
Examples:
- Cause and Effect: “The crops thrived since it rained heavily.”
- Time: “We’ll go out after the storm passes.”
- Condition: “You’ll succeed if you work hard.”
- Contrast: “Although he was nervous, he gave a great speech.”
- Place: “Let’s meet where we had lunch last week.”
3. Enhance Clarity and Coherence
By stating the connection between ideas, subordinating conjunctions can improve clarity and coherence. The writer should choose a conjunction that accurately represents the intended relationship.
Example:
- “We can start the meeting after John arrives.”
Tips for Using Subordinating Conjunctions
Proper use of subordinating conjunctions is essential for clear and effective writing. Here are some guidelines to follow:
1. Pay Attention to Clause Order
An adverbial subordinate clause can appear before or after the main clause. An introductory subordinate clause is normally followed by a comma. When the subordinate clause follows the main clause and is essential to the meaning, a comma is usually omitted.
Examples:
- Dependent clause first: “Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.”
- Independent clause first: “We stayed indoors because it was raining.”
2. Avoid Sentence Fragments
In standard formal writing, connect a subordinate clause to an independent clause unless you are intentionally using a fragment for a special effect. Review how to identify and correct sentence fragments.
Examples:
- Fragment: “Although she was hungry.”
- Complete sentence: “Although she was hungry, she waited for dinner.”
3. Don’t Overuse Them
Several subordinate clauses can occur in one sentence, but too many layers may make the relationships difficult to follow. Split or reorganize a sentence when its clause structure obscures the main point.
- Overuse: “Although he wanted to stay, because it was getting late and because he had an early meeting, he decided to leave.”
- Improved: “Although he wanted to stay, he decided to leave because it was getting late and he had an early meeting.”
How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions in Sentences
Using subordinating conjunctions effectively requires attention to clause structure, meaning, and punctuation. The following guide explains how to combine clauses clearly.
1. Understand Clause Placement
A subordinating conjunction connects two types of clauses:
- Independent Clause: A clause that can stand alone as a grammatically complete sentence.
- Dependent Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone in the same use because its structure marks it as subordinate.
For example:
- Independent Clause: “I stayed home.”
- Dependent Clause: “Because it was raining.”
→ When combined: “I stayed home because it was raining.”
2. Positioning Subordinating Conjunctions
An adverbial subordinate clause may come before or after the main clause. The conjunction appears at the beginning of the subordinate clause, regardless of where that clause occurs in the sentence.
- At the beginning: When an adverbial dependent clause begins the sentence, place a comma after it.
- Example: “Because it was raining, I stayed home.”
- After the main clause: When an essential adverbial dependent clause follows the independent clause, a comma is usually unnecessary.
- Example: “I stayed home because it was raining.”
3. Punctuation Rules
- Use a comma after an introductory adverbial dependent clause.
- Correct: “Although I was tired, I finished my homework.”
- Usually omit the comma when an essential adverbial dependent clause follows the independent clause. A comma may be appropriate for a clear contrast, an afterthought, or to prevent misreading.
- Correct: “I finished my homework although I was tired.”
By matching the conjunction to the intended relationship and applying punctuation according to clause order and meaning, you can create clear, cohesive sentences. Practice identifying both the conjunction and the clause it introduces.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of subordinating conjunctions with the following exercises.
1. Identify the Subordinating Conjunctions
Underline the subordinating conjunction in each sentence:
- I couldn’t go outside because it was snowing.
- She smiled although she was nervous.
- We waited at the station until the train arrived.
Download: Identify Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet
2. Complete the Sentences
Fill in each blank with an appropriate subordinating conjunction.
-
- We couldn’t start the meeting ______ the manager arrived.
- She stayed up late ______ she had an early meeting.
- He will stay here _____ you come back.
- The lights went out _____ there was a power outage.
- _____ the weather improves, we will cancel the picnic.
Download: Subordinating Conjunctions Practice Worksheet
3. Write Your Own Sentences
Create three sentences using the following subordinating conjunctions.
- Since
- While
- Although
Challenge Activity
Rewrite the following sentences by moving the dependent clause to the beginning of the sentence. Add commas where needed:
- “I couldn’t sleep because the storm was too loud.”
- “He stayed late at work even though he was feeling sick.”
These exercises will help you identify, complete, and construct sentences with subordinating conjunctions, improving your grammar and writing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are subordinating conjunctions and subordinators the same?
The terms are often used interchangeably in school grammar. In some modern grammar frameworks, “subordinator” is the preferred or broader label for words and fixed expressions that mark a clause as subordinate. The exact classification can vary, but words such as “because,” “although,” and “if” are commonly included.
2. What are comparative conjunctions?
“Than” and “as” can introduce comparative clauses. In the “as … as” pattern, the first “as” marks the degree and the second introduces the comparison. Grammar frameworks classify these words differently, so it is most useful to identify the comparative clause they introduce.
- Example with “than”: “She is taller than her brother is.”
- Example with “as … as”: “He is not as skilled as she is.”
3. Can subordinating conjunctions connect two independent clauses?
A subordinating conjunction does not leave both clauses independent. It makes the clause it introduces subordinate, even if that clause could stand alone before the conjunction was added. To join two clauses while keeping both independent, use an appropriate coordinating conjunction or punctuation such as a semicolon.
4. Do subordinating conjunctions always require a dependent clause?
When a word is functioning as a subordinating conjunction, it introduces a subordinate clause. However, the same word may have another grammatical role. For example, “after” introduces a clause in “after we ate” but functions as a preposition in “after lunch.”
Wrapping Up!
Subordinating conjunctions mark one clause as dependent and explain how it relates to another clause. They can express relationships such as reason, time, condition, purpose, contrast, comparison, and place. Choosing the correct conjunction helps readers understand the connection between ideas.
Effective use also depends on clause placement and punctuation. Introductory adverbial clauses normally take a comma, while essential clauses after the main clause usually do not. Remember that the same word can serve different grammatical functions depending on what follows it.
Practice by identifying the subordinate clause, naming the relationship it expresses, and moving it before or after the main clause. This process builds control over sentence variety without making sentences unnecessarily complicated.
Visit Worksheetzone for interactive conjunction worksheets and additional practice with subordinating conjunctions.
