Mastering Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions create relationships between independent and dependent clauses, transforming simple statements into complex, nuanced sentences.

What Subordinating Conjunctions Do

Introduce dependent (subordinate) clauses
Show the relationship between clauses (time, cause-effect, condition, etc.)
Make one clause grammatically dependent on another
Create complex sentence structures

Categories of Subordinating Conjunctions

Время

when

while

before

after

since

until

as soon as

whenever

When the phone rang, I answered it immediately.

She hasn't called since she left for Paris.

Cause & Effect

because

since

so that

in order that

Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.

He studied hard so that he would pass the exam.

Контраст

although

though

even though

whereas

while

Although it was expensive, we decided to buy it.

She prefers tea while her brother likes coffee.

Condition

unless

provided that

as long as

in case

If you study hard, you'll pass the test.

We won't go unless the weather improves.

Правила пунктуации

Dependent clause first: Use a comma after the clause
Before you leave, please turn off the lights.
Independent clause first: Usually no comma needed
Please turn off the lights before you leave.
Exception: Use commas for contrast even when the dependent clause comes second
She agreed to help, although she was very busy.

Распространенные ошибки

Using coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to begin dependent clauses
- Incorrect: And I was tired, I went to bed early.
- Correct: Because I was tired, I went to bed early.
Creating sentence fragments with dependent clauses
- Incorrect: When the movie ended.
- Correct: We left when the movie ended.
Misplacing the dependent clause
- Unclear: I saw the dog walking to school that was barking loudly.
- Clear: Walking to school, I saw the dog that was barking loudly.

Advanced Usage Tips

Vary sentence structure by changing clause order:
Although it was late, we continued working.

We continued working although it was late.
Combine multiple relationships in one sentence:
If you finish early, we can leave before the traffic gets bad.
Use for emphasis by placing important information in independent clauses