Subordinating Conjunction

What Are Subordinating Conjunctions? (with Examples)

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A subordinating conjunction is used to link a subordinate clause (also known as a dependent clause) to the main clause (also known as an independent clause).

In each example below, the main clause is in bold, and the subordinating conjunction is shaded.

She left early because Mike arrived with his new girlfriend.
Keep your hand on the wound until the nurse asks you to take it off.

A List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions

Here is a list of common subordinating conjunctions:

after
although
as
as soon as
because
before
by the time
even if
even though
every time
if
in case

in order that
in the event that
just in case
now that
once
only if
provided that
rather than
since
so that
than
that

though
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
whether or not
while
why

The Function of a Subordinating Conjunction

When a sentence has an independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause, it is known as a complex sentence. In a complex sentence, the role of the subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause. The subordinating conjunction provides the bridge between the main clause and the dependent clause.

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

Below are some common subordinating conjunctions in sentences:

Subordinating Conjunction	Category	Example
as	reason	As it's raining, I'm staying in.
because	reason	I'm staying in because it's raining.
in order that	reason	In order that I don't miss the postman, I'm staying in.
since	reason	Since you're going out, I'm staying in.
so that	reason	I'm staying in so that I don't miss the postman.
although	concession and comparison	I'm staying in although I'd rather go out.
as	concession and comparison	I'm staying in as you should.
even though	concession and comparison	I'm staying in even though the sun is out.
just as	concession and comparison	I'm staying in just as you should.
though	concession and comparison	I'm staying in though I wish I weren't.
whereas	concession and comparison	I'm staying in whereas you are going out.
while	concession and comparison	I'm staying in while you are going out.
even if	condition	Even if it rains, I'm going out.
if	condition	If it rains, I'm staying in.
in case	condition	I'm staying in in case it rains.
provided that	condition	Provided it doesn't rain, I'm going out.
unless	condition	I'm going out unless it rains.
where	place	I fish where the waves start to form.
wherever	place	I will live wherever the weather is good.
after	time	I'm going out after the football.
as soon as	time	I'm going out as soon as the football has finished.
as long as	time	I'm staying out as long as the weather stays good.
before	time	I'm going out before the football.
once	time	I'm going out once the football has finished.
till	time	I'm staying out till the weather turns bad.
until	time	I'm staying out until the weather turns bad.
when	time	I'm going out when the weather improves.
whenever	time	I go out whenever the weather is good.
while	time	I'll stay out while the weather is good.

Subordinating Conjunctions and Commas

When a subordinate clause starts a sentence, it is normal to separate it from the main clause with a comma. For example:

If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer? (Steven Wright)

When a subordinate clause ends a sentence, you should drop the comma.

Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life. (Herbert Henry Asquith, 1852-1928)

A subordinate clause usually gives essential information for the main clause. Therefore, it should not be separated from it with a comma. However, when a subordinate clause is at the start of a sentence, a comma is used because it helps readers by letting them know where the main clause starts.

Exceptions to the Comma Rule

There are a couple of quirks with this ruling:

Quirk 1: You Can Use a Comma for a Deliberate Pause

You should try to resist the temptation to use a comma before a subordinating conjunction. However, if a pause is needed for effect, a comma can be used before the subordinating conjunction. For example:

Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons. (Woody Allen)

Quirk 2: You Can Use a Comma before Because If the Main Clause is a Negative idea

To eliminate ambiguity, it is a good practice to use a comma before because if the main clause expresses a negative idea. For example:

I am not going, because it's raining.
I am not going because it's raining.
I am not going because it's raining. I am not going because I dislike the host.

The comma helps to separate the reason offered by the "because" clause from the word not.

A Quick Test

A Note from Teacher

A subordinating conjunction and the subordinate clause often form an adverbial clause. For example:

Keep your hand on the wound until the nurse asks you to take it off.

When an adverbial clause is at the start of a sentence, it is usual to follow it with a comma. However, there is no need when it ends the sentence (as above).

Until the nurse asks you to take it off, keep your hand on the wound.

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