Subordinating conjunctions are an essential part of the English language, serving as the glue that holds complex sentences together. By connecting a dependent clause to an independent clause, they allow us to express a wide range of ideas and relationships between those ideas. Whether you’re writing an essay, having a conversation, or reading a book, understanding and using subordinating conjunctions correctly can vastly improve your communication skills. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of subordinating conjunctions, their functions, and how to use them effectively.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that link an independent clause (a complete sentence) to a dependent clause (a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence). The independent clause can stand alone, but the dependent clause cannot. For example, in the sentence, “I will call you when I arrive,” the word “when” is the subordinating conjunction that connects the dependent clause “when I arrive” to the independent clause “I will call you.”
Common subordinating conjunctions include words like “because,” “although,” “since,” “unless,” “while,” “if,” “as,” and “after.” These words help to explain the relationship between the two clauses, providing context and additional information that makes the sentence more meaningful.
The Function of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions serve several key functions in English grammar:
1. Cause and Effect
Subordinating conjunctions often indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between two clauses. Words like “because,” “since,” and “as” are commonly used for this purpose. For example:
– “I stayed home because it was raining.”
– “Since you didn’t call, I assumed you were busy.”
– “As the weather improved, we decided to go hiking.”
In these sentences, the subordinating conjunctions “because,” “since,” and “as” explain why the action in the independent clause occurred.
2. Contrast
Another function of subordinating conjunctions is to show contrast between two ideas. Words like “although,” “though,” “even though,” and “whereas” are used to highlight differences. For example:
– “Although it was cold, we went for a walk.”
– “Even though he was tired, he finished his homework.”
– “She loves cats, whereas her brother prefers dogs.”
Here, the subordinating conjunctions “although,” “even though,” and “whereas” emphasize the contrast between the two clauses.
3. Condition
Subordinating conjunctions can also express conditions that must be met for something to happen. Words like “if,” “unless,” and “provided that” are used in conditional sentences. For example:
– “If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.”
– “You can go out unless you finish your chores.”
– “Provided that you study hard, you will pass the exam.”
In these examples, the subordinating conjunctions “if,” “unless,” and “provided that” set conditions for the actions in the independent clauses.
4. Time
Subordinating conjunctions can indicate the timing of an action. Words like “when,” “while,” “after,” “before,” “until,” and “since” are used to show temporal relationships. For example:
– “I will call you when I arrive.”
– “She was reading a book while waiting for the train.”
– “After the meeting ended, we went for lunch.”
– “We need to finish this before the deadline.”
In these sentences, the subordinating conjunctions “when,” “while,” “after,” and “before” specify the timing of the events.
5. Purpose
Subordinating conjunctions can also indicate purpose or intention. Words like “so that,” “in order that,” and “lest” are used to explain why something is done. For example:
– “She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.”
– “He left early in order that he might catch the train.”
– “Take an umbrella lest it rains.”
In these examples, the subordinating conjunctions “so that,” “in order that,” and “lest” explain the purpose behind the actions in the independent clauses.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions and Their Uses
Below is a list of some common subordinating conjunctions, along with examples to illustrate their use:
1. Because
– “I didn’t go to the party because I was tired.”
– “She missed the bus because she woke up late.”
2. Although/Though/Even though
– “Although it was raining, we continued our hike.”
– “Though he is young, he is very responsible.”
– “Even though she was nervous, she gave an excellent presentation.”
3. Since
– “Since you asked, I will tell you the truth.”
– “I have been waiting here since 10 a.m.”
4. If/Unless
– “If you need help, just ask.”
– “You won’t succeed unless you try.”
5. While
– “She was reading a book while waiting for the train.”
– “While I agree with your point, I think there’s more to consider.”
6. After/Before
– “We went for dinner after the movie ended.”
– “Please clean the room before you leave.”
7. When
– “Call me when you arrive.”
– “When the sun sets, the city lights up.”
8. As
– “As we were leaving, it started to rain.”
– “She smiled as she walked into the room.”
9. So that/In order that
– “She saved money so that she could travel.”
– “He worked hard in order that he might buy a car.”
10. Lest
– “Take an umbrella lest it rains.”
– “He whispered lest he wake the baby.”
How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions Effectively
Using subordinating conjunctions effectively can make your writing and speech more coherent and nuanced. Here are some tips to help you use them correctly:
1. Understand the Relationship
Before using a subordinating conjunction, make sure you understand the relationship between the two clauses. Are you showing cause and effect, contrast, condition, time, or purpose? Choosing the right subordinating conjunction is crucial for conveying the intended meaning.
2. Punctuation
When the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, use a comma to separate them. For example:
– “Because it was raining, I stayed home.”
– “Although he was tired, he finished his homework.”
When the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed. For example:
– “I stayed home because it was raining.”
– “He finished his homework although he was tired.”
3. Avoid Sentence Fragments
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. Ensure that your dependent clause is always connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence. For example, “Because I was tired” is a fragment, but “I went to bed early because I was tired” is a complete sentence.
4. Vary Your Sentence Structure
Using subordinating conjunctions allows you to vary your sentence structure, making your writing more interesting and engaging. Instead of always starting with the subject, try beginning some sentences with a dependent clause. For example:
– “After the meeting ended, we went for lunch.”
– “While I was cooking, the phone rang.”
5. Be Concise
While it’s important to provide context and additional information, avoid overloading your sentences with too many subordinating conjunctions. Be concise and ensure that each clause adds value to the sentence.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of subordinating conjunctions, try these practice exercises:
1. Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate subordinating conjunction:
– “_____ it was late, she continued working.”
– “He didn’t go to the party _____ he was feeling sick.”
– “_____ you finish your homework, you can watch TV.”
– “She went for a walk _____ the sun was setting.”
– “_____ he was very tired, he finished his work.”
2. Combine the Sentences
Combine the following pairs of sentences using a subordinating conjunction:
– “It was raining. We went for a walk.” (although)
– “She studied hard. She could pass the exam.” (so that)
– “I will call you. I arrive.” (when)
– “He is young. He is very responsible.” (though)
– “We need to finish this. The deadline.” (before)
3. Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences, starting with the dependent clause:
– “I stayed home because it was raining.”
– “He finished his homework although he was tired.”
– “We went for dinner after the movie ended.”
– “She smiled as she walked into the room.”
– “You won’t succeed unless you try.”
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions play a vital role in constructing complex and meaningful sentences in the English language. By connecting dependent clauses to independent clauses, they help us express cause and effect, contrast, conditions, time, and purpose. Understanding and using subordinating conjunctions effectively can enhance your writing and speaking skills, making your communication more coherent and engaging.
Remember to choose the right conjunction to convey the intended relationship between clauses, use proper punctuation, avoid sentence fragments, vary your sentence structure, and be concise. With practice, you’ll become more confident in your ability to use subordinating conjunctions and create well-structured sentences.
So, the next time you write or speak, pay attention to how you use subordinating conjunctions. They may be small words, but they have a big impact on the clarity and depth of your communication. Happy learning!
