Skip to content
Home » Subordinating Conjunctions: Examples and Rules

Subordinating Conjunctions: Examples and Rules

subordinating-conjunctions

Introduction

The subordinating conjunctions are words that join two clauses together, but the second clause cannot stand by itself. The most common subordinating conjunctions are after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, then, and that.

Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of sentences. They can be used to introduce subordinate clauses or to connect clauses. Sometimes they are called transitional words because they indicate a change from one idea to another in an essay or story.

Subordinating Conjunction Join two Clauses Together

The Subordinating conjunction is a word that joins two clauses together, but the second clause cannot stand by itself. They’re often called “conjunctive adverbs” or “dependent clauses.”

These words show cause and effect, explain why something is true or happened in a certain way, or contrast with what another sentence says about an idea or topic. For example:

  • After is used to indicate that something follows immediately after another thing: “The boy ran into the room after he had fallen.”
  • Although can be used to introduce a contrast between two things or ideas: “He was happy despite his illness.”
  • As indicates similarity or nearness in time; it’s often followed by an object (other than ‘that’): “The cat curled up on my lap as I read my book.” However, it also has several other uses including:
  • To explain why something happens: “Why did you do that?” (because) * To point out what happened later than expected (as in this sentence).

The most familiar subordinating conjunctions are:

  • as
  • if
  • although
  • because
  • before
  • how
  • after
  • once
  • since
  • then
  • that
  • though
  • unless
  • until
  • when
  • where
  • In this case
  • Therefore
  • As a result of this fact

Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of sentences.

Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect ideas, clauses, and sentences. They usually come at the beginning of sentences.

  • Subordinating conjunctions like because, although, even though, and provided link the main clause with another clause or sentence. * Examples: “I didn’t get a job because I didn’t have enough experience; however my new boss thought I was very good at my old job so he hired me anyway! * The reason why students must learn English is that it helps them communicate better with others around the world.

Subordinating conjunctions join a main clause with a subordinate clause.

They join the main clause with a subordinate clause. They usually come at the beginning of sentences, and they are followed by commas.

  • The most common subordinating conjunctions are:
  • but, as, because, if, since, though
  • You can also use the word after if you want to make your sentence more emphatic or dramatic (i.e., “I love you after all”).

Conclusion

The Subordinating conjunction is a great way to join two clauses together. They usually come at the beginning of sentences and are used in place of a subordinator like because or however. The most common subordinating conjunctions are after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, then, and then (that).