What are subordinating conjunctions? (with examples)

What are subordinating conjunctions? (with examples)

Subordinating conjunctions are used to link subordinate clauses (also known as dependent clauses) to main clauses (also known as independent clauses).

The function of a subordinate conjunction and dependent clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession or a comparison for the main clause.

Simple examples of subordinate conjunctions

In each example below, the subordinate conjunction is in bold and the subordinate clause is shaded. (The normal text is the main clause.)

• Keep your hand on the wound until the bleeding stops.
  (The subordinate clause sets a time.)
• Steve will sleep wherever there is a bed.
  (The subordinate clause establishes a place.)
• He left early because Tony arrived with his new girlfriend.
  (The subordinate clause states a reason.)
• If it rains , the bet is cancelled.
  (The subordinate clause establishes a condition.)
• Even though she’s skinny, she’ll still look like a million bucks.
  (The subordinate clause establishes a concession.)
• I will success while you will fail.
  (The subordinate clause establishes a comparison.)

A subordinate conjunction provides a bridge between the main clause and the subordinate clause.

A list of common subordinate conjunctions

Here is a list of common subordinating conjunctions:

after although so soon as because before by time even if although every time yes just in case

so that in case just in case now what once only if whenever instead of what for what what

although until when always where where where where yes or no while why

The function of a subordinate conjunction

When a sentence has one independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause, it is known as a complex sentence. In a complex sentence, the dependent clause establishes a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause. (The subordinate conjunction provides the bridge between the main clause and the dependent clause.)

Real life examples of subordinate conjunctions

• I find television very educational. Every time someone turns on the TV , I go into the other room and read a book. (Comedian Groucho Marx)
  (The subordinate clause sets a time for the main clause.)
• Wherever the art of medicine is loved , humanity is also loved. (Greek physician Hippocrates)
  (The subordinate clause establishes a place for the main clause.)
• People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because rich women are safer to harass than biker gangs.
  (The subordinate clause establishes a reason for the main clause.)
• Man is willing to die for an idea, as long as that idea is not very clear to him . (Author Paul Eldridge)
  (The subordinate clause sets a condition for the main clause.)
• I’m always willing to learn, although I don’t always like to be taught . (Sir Winston Churchill)
  (The subordinate clause establishes a grant for the main clause.)
• Everyone else my age is an adult, while I’m just in disguise . (Margaret Atwood poet)
  (The subordinate clause makes a comparison to the main clause.)

With a dependent clause and a main clause, these are all complex sentences.

A few more examples of subordinate conjunctions

Here are some more examples of subordinating conjunctions in sentences. Remember that the function of the subordinate conjunction and the subordinate clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition or a concession for the main clause. This means that the clauses in bold all function as adverbs. They are all adverbial sentences.

Subordinating conjunction	Category	Example
like	reason	As it’s raining , I’m staying.
because	reason	I’m staying because it’s raining .
why	reason	In order to not lose the postman , I’m staying.
because	reason	Since you leave , I stay.
so	reason	I’m staying so not to lose the postman .
even though	grant and comparison	I’m staying although I prefer to leave .
like	grant and comparison	I stay like you should .
despite	grant and comparison	I’ll stay even if the sun rises .
Such as	grant and comparison	I stay like you should .
although	grant and comparison	I’m staying although I wish I wasn’t .
while	grant and comparison	I’ll stay while you go out .
time	grant and comparison	I’ll stay while you go out .
even if	condition	Even if it rains , I’ll go out.
yes	condition	If it rains , I stay.
in case	condition	I stay home in case it rains .
provided that	condition	If it doesn’t rain , I’ll go out.
unless	condition	I’m going out unless it rains .
where	place	I fish where the waves start to roll .
whatever	place	I will live where it is good weather .
after	time	I’m going out after the football is over .
As soon as	time	I’m going out as soon as the football is over .
while	time	I’ll stay outside as long as the weather is good .
before	time	I’m going out before it starts to rain .
once	time	I’m going out once the football is over .
until	time	I’ll stay out until the weather turns bad .
Until	time	I’ll stay out until the weather turns bad .
when	time	I will go out when the weather improves .
whenever	time	I go out when the weather is good .
time	time	I’ll stay outside while the weather is nice .

Why should I care about subordinating conjunctions?

As a native English speaker, you don’t need to worry if your subordinate conjunction heads a clause that states a time, a place, a reason, a condition, or a concession. You will do it naturally.

The most common question related to subordinating conjunctions is whether to offset the subordinate clause with a comma or not. Here is the guide.

(Item 1) Put a comma after an adverbial clause in front.

When a subordinate clause that functions as an adverb begins a sentence, separate it from the main clause with a comma.

• If you shoot mimes , should you use a silencer? (Comedian Steven Wright)
• Now that I’m in my sixties , I’m veering towards respectability. (Actress Shelley Winters)

These are often called adverbial front clauses. A comma is used with an adverbial clause in front because the comma makes it clear where the main clause begins.

(Point 2) Don’t use a comma if your adverbial clause is at the back.

When a subordinate clause ends a sentence, you can remove the comma.

• Should you use a silencer if shooting mimes ?
• I’m veering towards respectability now that I’m in my sixties .

However, there is a quirk: you can use a comma for a deliberate pause.

• Money is better than poverty, even if only for financial reasons. (Film director Woody Allen)
• Man is willing to die for an idea, as long as that idea is not very clear to him.

If you were told in school that a comma represents a pause, then your teacher was giving you reading advice, not writing advice. There are specific rules about the use of commas and“to create a pause“isn’t one of them, though I’d probably put in some precise commas if I adopted that rule. That said, this is a time where a comma can be used to create a pause. That’s why it’s a whim. It is also quite common.

Okay, let’s complicate things a bit. the rule that says“remove the comma when your adverbial clause ends a sentence“not really a rule. In fact, the rule for postposed adverbial clauses (as they are called) is the same as for postposed adjective clauses. In other words, use a comma if the adverbial clause is non-essential (ie, I’d be happy to put it in parentheses or delete it). The problem is that it is much more difficult to decide whether an adverbial clause is essential or nonessential than it is with an adjective clause. Since the vast majority of adverbial clauses are essential, it is fairly safe, but not entirely safe, to declare that a postponing adverbial clause is not preceded by a comma.

Key Points

• If your subordinate conjunction heads a clause at the beginning of your sentence, offset the clause with a comma.
• Don’t use a comma if your subordinate conjunction heads a clause at the end of your sentence, unless you need to put some distance between the subordinate clause and the main clause.