Subordinating Conjunction Examples

What are Subordinating Conjunctions?

Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent (main) clause, creating a complex sentence. They show the relationship between the clauses—such as time, cause and effect, condition, or contrast.

Key Concept: The clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction cannot stand alone as a complete sentence—it's a dependent clause.

Basic Structure: [Subordinating Conjunction] + [Dependent Clause] + [Independent Clause]

Common Subordinating Conjunctions Categorized by Function

1. TIME RELATIONSHIPS

Indicate when something happens.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
After	Later than	After we eat, we'll clean up.
Before	Earlier than	Before you leave, lock the door.
When	At/during the time that	When the bell rings, class ends.
While	During the time that	While I was sleeping, the phone rang.
Since	From a past time until now	Since I met you, my life has changed.
Until/Till	Up to the time that	Until you apologize, I won't speak to you.
As soon as	Immediately after	As soon as you arrive, call me.
Whenever	Every time that	Whenever I see her, I smile.
Once	When; as soon as	Once you understand this, it's easy.
By the time	Not later than when	By the time we arrived, the show had started.

2. CAUSE/EFFECT/REASON

Explain why something happens.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
Because	For the reason that	Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
Since	As; because	Since you're here, let's begin.
As	Because	As he was tired, he went to bed early.
So that	In order that	I studied hard so that I could pass.
In order that	For the purpose of	He worked overtime in order that he could buy a car.

3. CONDITION

Set a requirement or hypothetical situation.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
If	On condition that	If you study, you will pass.
Unless	Except if; if not	Unless you hurry, you'll be late.
Provided that	On the condition that	You can borrow my car provided that you return it by 5.
Assuming that	If we assume that	Assuming that the weather is good, we'll have a picnic.
In case	If it happens that	Take an umbrella in case it rains.
Even if	Whether or not	I'll go even if it's raining.

4. CONTRAST/OPPOSITION

Show unexpected or contrasting information.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
Although	Despite the fact that	Although it was cold, we went swimming.
Though	Despite the fact that (less formal)	Though he's rich, he lives simply.
Even though	Despite the fact that (stronger)	Even though she's young, she's very wise.
Whereas	While by contrast	Whereas I like coffee, my sister prefers tea.
While	Although; whereas	While I understand your point, I disagree.

5. COMPARISON/MANNER

Show how something is done or compare.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
As if	In a way that suggests	He acts as if he owns the place.
As though	In a way that suggests	She sings as though she's a professional.
Than	Used in comparisons	She is taller than her brother is.
Rather than	Instead of	I'll walk rather than take the bus.

6. LOCATION/PLACE

Indicate where something happens.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
Where	In/at which place	This is the house where I grew up.
Wherever	In/at whatever place	I'll follow you wherever you go.
Everywhere	In every place	Everywhere I look, I see beauty.

7. CONCESSION

Acknowledge contrasting information before presenting main point.

Conjunction	Meaning/Use	Example
Although	Despite the fact that	Although it was difficult, we succeeded.
Though	Despite the fact that	Though expensive, it's worth it.
Even though	Despite the fact that	Even though warned, he took the risk.
While	Although	While I see your point, I must disagree.

Crucial Punctuation Rules

Rule 1: Dependent Clause FIRST

Use a COMMA after the dependent clause.

• After we finish dinner, we'll watch a movie.
• Because she studied hard, she aced the test.
• If it rains tomorrow, the picnic will be cancelled.

Rule 2: Independent Clause FIRST

Usually NO COMMA is needed.

• We'll watch a movie after we finish dinner.
• She aced the test because she studied hard.
• The picnic will be cancelled if it rains tomorrow.

Exception: Sometimes a comma is used for clarity or emphasis even when the independent clause comes first, but this is less common.

Rule 3: Multiple Subordinating Conjunctions

• Although it was late, and even though we were tired, we continued working because the deadline was approaching.

Common Errors & Corrections

Error 1: Fragment (Incomplete Sentence)

• ❌ "Because I was tired." (Fragment—no independent clause)
• ✅ "Because I was tired, I went to bed early." OR "I went to bed early because I was tired."

Error 2: Comma Misplacement

• ❌ "We'll go although, it's raining." (Comma shouldn't separate conjunction from its clause)
• ✅ "We'll go, although it's raining." OR "Although it's raining, we'll go."

Error 3: Double Conjunctions

• ❌ "But although it was cold, we went swimming."
• ✅ "Although it was cold, we went swimming." OR "It was cold, but we went swimming."

Error 4: Confusing Similar Conjunctions

• ❌ "I'll go unless you come with me." (This means "I'll go if you DON'T come")
• ✅ "I'll go if you come with me." (This means "I'll go on the condition that you come")

Position Flexibility Examples

Same meaning, different structures:

1. Dependent clause first:
• "Although it was expensive, we bought it."
2. Independent clause first:
• "We bought it although it was expensive."
3. Dependent clause in middle:
• "We, although it was expensive, bought it anyway." (Less common, but possible for emphasis)

Quick Memory Aid: AAAWWUBBIS

A popular mnemonic for common subordinating conjunctions:

• A = After, Although, As
• W = When, While
• U = Until
• B = Before, Because
• I = If
• S = Since

Advanced Usage Examples

Multiple Layers of Subordination:

• "Although I knew that I should leave when the meeting ended, I stayed because my boss asked me to, even though I was tired."

Formal/Academic Writing:

• "Whereas previous studies focused on short-term effects, and although some limitations exist in our methodology, we conclude that significant correlations exist, provided that further research confirms these findings."

Legal/Technical Writing:

• "The contract shall remain in effect provided that all terms are met, unless either party provides written notice of termination where breaches occur that are not remedied within thirty days."

Everyday Conversation:

• "I'll call you as soon as I get home, even if it's late, because I want to hear about your day, although I might be tired since I worked overtime today."

Comparing with Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

Feature	Subordinating Conjunctions	Coordinating Conjunctions
Clause Types Joined	Dependent + Independent	Independent + Independent
Creates	Complex sentences	Compound sentences
Punctuation	Comma if dependent clause first	Comma before conjunction
Can Start Sentence?	Yes	Usually avoided (but possible)
Examples	because, although, if, when	and, but, or, so, yet
Sentence Example	Because it rained, we stayed.	It rained, so we stayed.

Practice Exercises (with Answers)

Exercise 1: Identify the subordinating conjunction

1. "While you were out, someone called."
• Answer: While
2. "I'll help you provided that you promise to try."
• Answer: provided that
3. "She acts as though she knows everything."
• Answer: as though

Exercise 2: Add correct punctuation

1. "After the movie ended we went for coffee."
• Answer: "After the movie ended, we went for coffee."
2. "We went for coffee after the movie ended."
• Answer: "We went for coffee after the movie ended." (No comma needed)

Exercise 3: Choose the correct conjunction

1. "______ you finish your homework, you can't watch TV." (Unless/Although/Whereas)
• Answer: Unless
2. "I'll be there ______ I finish work." (as soon as/even if/whereas)
• Answer: as soon as
3. "______ I understand your concern, I must disagree." (Because/If/While)
• Answer: While

Exercise 4: Fix the errors

1. ❌ "Because he was late."
• ✅ Corrected: "Because he was late, he missed the bus." OR "He missed the bus because he was late."
2. ❌ "We'll go, if you want to."
• ✅ Corrected: "We'll go if you want to." OR "If you want to, we'll go."
• Why: No comma when independent clause comes first (unless for special emphasis).

Teaching & Learning Tips

1. Use the AAAWWUBBIS mnemonic to remember common ones.
2. Create sentence formulas:
• [SC] + [dependent clause], [independent clause].
• [Independent clause] + [SC] + [dependent clause].
3. Practice "sentence combining": Take two simple sentences and join them with a subordinating conjunction.
4. Identify clause types: First identify independent vs. dependent clauses, then find the conjunction.
5. Play "conjunction substitution": Replace one subordinating conjunction with another and see how meaning changes.
• "Because it rained, we stayed" vs. "Although it rained, we stayed"

Special Considerations

Words That Can Be Both Subordinating Conjunctions and Other Parts of Speech

• After: Conjunction ("After we eat...") vs. Preposition ("After dinner")
• Before: Conjunction ("Before you go...") vs. Preposition ("Before noon")
• Since: Conjunction ("Since you asked...") vs. Preposition ("Since Tuesday")

Implied/Reduced Clauses

Sometimes the subject and verb are implied:

• "When [you are] ready, we can leave."
• "If [it is] possible, arrive early."

That as a Subordinating Conjunction

• "I know that you're right."
• "She said that she would come."
• Note: In informal English, "that" is often omitted: "I know you're right."

Final Summary

Subordinating conjunctions are essential for creating complex sentences that show nuanced relationships between ideas. They allow writers to:

1. Show cause and effect (because, since)
2. Indicate time relationships (when, while, after)
3. Express conditions (if, unless)
4. Present contrasts (although, whereas)
5. Compare (as if, than)

Key Rule to Remember: When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, use a comma after the dependent clause. When the independent clause comes first, usually no comma is needed.

Mastering subordinating conjunctions allows you to create more sophisticated, varied, and precise sentences in both writing and speech.