Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction is a word or a phrase that begins and therefore introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause. The subordinate conjunction marks how the dependent clause will modify the independent clause with information such as manner, place, time, contrast, cause, or a condition.

Some common subordinating conjunctions include:

after	except that	that
although	if	though
as	in case	unless
as if	in that	until
as though	now that	when
because	once	whenever
before	since	where
even though	so that	while

Clauses made dependent by a subordinating conjunction typically function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb in a sentence.

Noun: Right now I can’t say when we’ll be back from the opera. (The subordinating conjunction is when; the dependent clause when we’ll be back from the opera is the direct object of the sentence.)

Adjective: You will open the door that the audience chooses to reveal the prize. (The subordinating conjunction is that; the dependent clause that the audience chooses to reveal the prize modifies the noun door.)

Adverb: The roads cannot be opened until the snow is plowed from them. (The subordinating conjunction is until; the dependent clause until the snow is plowed from them modifies the verb phrase cannot be opened.)

Subordinating Conjunctions: Information Provided

As we mentioned, a subordinating conjunction signals a dependent clause that modifies a sentence with information such as manner, place, time, contrast, cause, or a condition. Let’s look at examples of such subordinating conjunctions in action.

Manner: You’re eating as if this is the last time you’ll ever see a steak. (The subordinating conjunction is as if; the dependent clause as if this is the last time you’ll ever see a steak describes the way in which someone is eating.)

Place: A supermarket now occupies the land where the high school once stood. (The subordinating conjunction is where; the dependent clause where the high school once stood describes the location of the land.)

Time: Let’s get ice cream after the line gets a little bit shorter. (The subordinating conjunction is after; the dependent clause after the line gets a little bit shorter describes when we’ll get ice cream.)

Contrast: Although the washing machine costs more, it performs much better and has greater energy efficiency. (The subordinating conjunction is although; the dependent clause although the washing machine costs more creates a comparison with the information in the independent clause.)

Cause: The parade will be delayed until tomorrow because the rain is too steady today. (The subordinating conjunction is because; the dependent clause because the rain is too steady today describes the reason why the parade will be delayed.)

Condition: If the contractor receives the down payment on time, the work on our home will begin. (The subordinating conjunction is if; the dependent clause if the contractor receives the down payment on time describes the condition under which the work will begin.)

As we can see, subordinating conjunctions can be versatile in serving a sentence. The purpose for something is yet another type of information that subordinating conjunctions can provide:

So that we get there on time, let’s leave fifteen minutes earlier than usual.

The subordinating conjunction is so that, and the dependent clause so that we get there on time explains the reason for leaving earlier than usual.

Subordinating Conjunctions: Omissions

In some cases, the subordinating conjunction might be omitted as understood in a sentence: e.g., I know someday I will build a sandbox for my kids.

This sentence includes a subordinating conjunction, that, that is left out but that still creates a dependent clause: I know (that) someday I will build a sandbox for my kids.

Related Topics

What Are Subordinate Clauses?
Dependent and Independent Clauses

Pop Quiz

Identify any subordinating conjunctions that appear in the following sentences.

1. They want to ride that roller coaster before the park closes.

2. Janelle wrote five more pages while Raymond was sleeping.

3. Since the roadwork began, traffic has slowed significantly.

4. Sherri drives a Toyota, and Marcella drives a Ford.

5. Though the task may prove to be challenging, we will surely complete it.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. They want to ride that roller coaster before the park closes.

2. Janelle wrote five more pages while Raymond was sleeping.

3. Since the roadwork began, traffic has slowed significantly.

4. Sherri drives a Toyota, and Marcella drives a Ford. no subordinating conjunction

5. Though the task may prove to be challenging, we will surely complete it.

If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.