Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause. We can turn an independent clause into a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction. In the dependent clauses below, though, because, when, since, while, and unless are subordinating conjunctions.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 

  • I like Texas.
  • He looks silly.
  • He was successful.
  • The economy suffered.
  • He spoke eloquently.
  • He lost the argument.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

  • Though I like Texas,...
  • Because he looks silly,...
  • When he was successful,...
  • Since the economy suffered,...
  • While he spoke eloquently,...
  • Unless he lost the argument,...

Below are some common subordinating conjunctions. There are many more.

after
although
as
as if
as soon as
as though

because
before
even though
if
in order that
since

so that
than
that
though
unless
until

when
whenever
where
wherever
while

Many of these words also function as prepositions. Sometimes phrases begin with prepositions such as after, before, since or until. In this case, these words are not subordinating conjunctions but prepositions. Remember that a clause has both a subject and a verb. Notice how the words after and before are used in the sentences below.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION:

  • John Dickinson joined the Continental Congress after he wrote a "Petition to the King." (after he wrote a "Petition to the King" is a clause)
  • We must bring in the ficus tree before the first frost occurs. (before the first frost occurs is a clause)

PREPOSITION:

  • John Dickinson joined the Continental Congress after this petition. (after this petition is a prepositional phrase. It lacks a subject and predicate.)
  • We must bring in the ficus tree before the first frost. (before the first frost is a prepositional phrase.)

Examples

Identify the subordinating conjunctions in the following sentences.

  1. Brad felt contrite because he had not told the truth.
  2. If I go, I'll need a ride.
  3. Brazil was never colonized by Spain because Portugal had already claimed it.
  4. Although he was a British writer, Rudyard Kipling is well known in the United States.
  5. He wrote about life in India even though he married an American girl and settled in England.
  6. If a revolution were necessary, John Dickinson desired one on proper grounds.
  7. He finally accepted the Declaration of Independence even though he had spoken against it.

Solutions

  1. Because is the subordinating conjunction. It introduces the dependent clause "because he had not told the truth."
  2. If is the subordinating conjunction. It introduces the dependent clause "If I go."
  3. Because is the subordinating conjunction. It introduces the dependent clause "because Portugal had already claimed it."
  4. Although is the subordinating conjunction. It introduces the dependent clause "Although he was a British writer."
  5. Even though is the subordinating conjunction. It introduces the dependent clause "even though he married an American girl and settled in England."
  6. If is the subordinating conjunction which introduces the dependent clause, "If a revolution were necessary."
  7. Even though is the subordinating conjunction which introduces the dependent clause, "even though he had spoken against it."