Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce noun clause, adjective clause and adverbial clause.  They indicate various relationships such as time, cause and effect, condition, contrast, etc.

• When you sleep, you cannot see.
  
• He is happy because he got a gift. 

The most common subordinating conjunctions are: 

Types of Sub-ordinate Conjunctions:

Subordinating Conjunctions may be classified according to their meaning. 

(1) Time

The patient had come round before the doctor arrived. 

• Many things have happened since I saw you.

(2) Cause or Reason

• As he is honest, everybody loves him.
  
• Everybody loves him because he is honest.

(3) Purpose

• Walk slowly lest you should fall down.
  
• We eat so that we can live.
• He works hard in order that he can prosper in life.

(4) Result or Consequence

• I’m so tired that I cannot walk.
  

(5) Condition

• If you read, you will learn. 
  
• They will miss the train unless they hurry up.

 (6) Concession

• He got a prize although he played badly.
  
• Though they were late, they were fully paid.

(7) Comparison

• A train runs faster than a bus [is]. 
  
• You are older than I [am].

Use of Subordinate Conjunctions

1. As 

The subordinate conjunction "as" is commonly used to introduce a subordinate clause that specifies the manner in which something happens. Here are a few examples of how "as" can be used in sentences:

• I couldn't hear what he said as the music was too loud.
  

In this sentence, "as" introduces a subordinate clause ("the music was too loud") that explains why the speaker couldn't hear what someone said.

• "As she grew older, her interests expanded." 
  

Here, "as" introduces a subordinate clause ("she grew older") that shows the time frame during which the subject's interests expanded.

More Examples: 

1. She studied hard as she wanted to achieve her goals.
   
2. As he was ill, he did not attend school. 

2. Since 

The subordinate conjunction "since" is commonly used to indicate the cause or time of an action or event. Here are a few examples of how "since" can be used in sentences:

• "Since it's raining, we should take an umbrella." 
  

Here, "since" introduces a subordinate clause ("it's raining") that provides the reason or cause for the suggestion to take an umbrella.

More Examples: 

1. "She has been feeling better since she started taking the medication." 
   
2. He did not attend school since he was ill. 
3. It is a week since I came here. 
4. A week has passed since I came here. 
5. Since you are ill, you cannot go there. 
6. She has been reading since morning.
7. They have been absent since Monday. 

3. Because

The subordinate conjunction "because" is commonly used to introduce a subordinate clause that provides a reason or cause for the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "because" can be used in sentences:

• "She didn't eat dinner because she wasn't hungry." 
  

Here, "because" introduces a subordinate clause ("she wasn't hungry") that provides the reason why she didn't eat dinner.

More Examples: 

1. "The flight was delayed because of bad weather." 
   
2. "They canceled the event because of low attendance." 
3. He did not attend school because he was ill. 

4. Although / Though

The subordinate conjunction "although" is commonly used to introduce a subordinate clause that presents a contrasting or contradictory idea to the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "although" can be used in sentences:

• "Although I was sick, I attended the meeting." 
  

In this sentence, "although" introduces a subordinate clause ("I was sick") that contrasts with the main clause.

More Examples: 

1. "She managed to finish the project on time, although she faced many obstacles." 
   
2. "Although he is talented, he lacks confidence." 
3. "Although it was late at night, he insisted on making the phone call." 
4. Though he is poor, he is honest. 

5. After

The subordinate conjunction "after" is commonly used to indicate a time relationship between the main clause and a subordinate clause. It suggests that the action or event in the subordinate clause occurs subsequent to the action or event in the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "after" can be used in sentences:

• "She closed the door after she entered the room." 
  

In this sentence, "after" introduces a subordinate clause ("she entered the room") that specifies the time when the action of closing the door occurred.

More Examples: 

1. "We can go for a walk after the rain stops." 
   
2. The patient died after the doctor had come. 
3. I shall come out after finishing my work. 
4. I shall come out after I have finished my work.

6. Before

The subordinate conjunction "before" is commonly used to indicate a time relationship between the main clause and a subordinate clause. It suggests that the action or event in the subordinate clause occurs prior to the action or event in the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "before" can be used in sentences:

• "I will finish my work before I go to bed." 
  

In this sentence, "before" introduces a subordinate clause ("I go to bed") that specifies the time when the action of finishing work will be completed.

More Examples: 

1. "Please clean your room before you go out." 
   
2. "Before the storm arrived, they secured all the windows." 
3. "Before she made a decision, she carefully considered all the options." 
4. The patient had died before the doctor came. 
5. I shall come out before finishing my work. 

7. When

The subordinate conjunction "when" is commonly used to indicate a specific time or situation in which the action or event in the main clause occurs. Here are a few examples of how "when" can be used in sentences:

• "I will call you when I arrive at the airport." 
  

In this sentence, "when" introduces a subordinate clause ("I arrive at the airport") that specifies the time at which the action of calling will take place.

• "She always smiles when she sees her best friend." 
  

Here, "when" introduces a subordinate clause ("she sees her best friend") that denotes the situation in which the action of smiling occurs.

More Examples: 

1. "He apologized when he realized his mistake." 
   
2. "I was reading a book when the power went out." 
3. "The alarm clock rang when it was time to wake up." 
4. He wanted to know when I would go.

8. While 

1. You should not run in the field while it rains. 

9. Where

The subordinate conjunction "where" is commonly used to indicate a location or place in which the action or event in the main clause occurs. It introduces a subordinate clause that provides information about the location or setting of the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "where" can be used in sentences:

• "She visited the museum where she saw beautiful paintings." 
  

In this sentence, "where" introduces a subordinate clause ("she saw beautiful paintings") that specifies the location or place where the action of visiting the museum took place.

More Examples: 

1. "I want to go to the beach where we can relax and enjoy the sun." 
   
2. "The café where we had lunch was cozy and inviting." 
3. "They went to the park where they played soccer." 
4. He wanted to know where I would go. 

10. Why

The subordinate conjunction "why" is commonly used to introduce a subordinate clause that provides the reason or cause for the action or event in the main clause. It helps to explain or clarify the motivation behind the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "why" can be used in sentences:

• "I want to know why you are always late." 
  

In this example, "why" introduces a subordinate clause ("you are always late") that expresses the desire to understand the reason or cause behind the person's being late.

More Examples: 

1. "She didn't answer my calls, so I wonder why she's avoiding me."
   
2. "I can't figure out why he didn't accept the job offer." 

11. How

The subordinate conjunction "how" is commonly used to introduce a subordinate clause that provides information about the manner, method, or way in which the action or event in the main clause occurs. It helps to describe or explain the process or means behind the main clause. Here are a few examples of how "how" can be used in sentences:

• Everything depends on how they behave. 
  

In this sentence, "how" introduces a subordinate clause ("they behave") that describes the manner in which they behave.

More Examples: 

1. "I'm impressed with how she handled the difficult situation." 
   
2. "He explained to us how the engine works." 
3. He wanted to know how I would go.

12. That

1. I am glad that you have passed. 
2. He knows that you will come again. 
3. Who is the man that can do it? 
4. We eat that we may live. 
5. That he will come is certain. 

13. Who, Which, What

1. I know the man who came here. 
   
2. This is the book which is now out of print. 
3. I do not know what they want. 

14. Whereas

• Karim is very hard working, whereas his brother is lazy. 

15. That = so that = in order that

1. We eat so that we may/can live. 
   
2. We eat in order that we may/can live.
3. We eat that we may/can live. 

16. If, Whether

1. If you read, you will learn
   
2. Stay here if he does not come. 
3. I do not know whether he came. 

17. Unless, Until, Till

1. Unless you work hard, you cannot shine in life.
   
2. Wait here until I return. 
3. They worked in the field till the sun set. 

18. Whoever

1. Whoever you may be, I do not care for you. 
   

19. Provided

• You can stay here, provided (on condition that) you will not speak. 
  

20. Whatever

• Let him do whatever he likes. 
  

21. So long

• God will bless us so long our purpose is honest. 
  

22. Lest

• Walk fast lest you should miss the train.
  

23. As if/ As though

1. He talks as if / as though he were a mad.
   
2. He talks as if / as though he knew everything.

24. As soon as

• As soon as the teacher came, the students became quiet.