Subordinating, or subordinate, conjunctions join clauses that are not equal in grammatical weight, with the subordinating conjunction linking the smaller, subordinate clause to the larger, main clause structure..
Subordinate clauses begin with connectives, or "joining words," called subordinating conjunctions. A subordinating conjunction always precedes its subordinate clause. The chief Subordinating conjunctions are :
Examples
| Subordinating Conjunctions | ||
|---|---|---|
| after | how | so that |
| although | if | than |
| as | in case | that |
| as if | in order that | though |
| as long as | in as much as | till |
| as much as | just in case | unless |
| as soon as | lest | until/til |
| as though | like | when |
| because | now that | whenever |
| before | once | where |
| by the time | only if | whereas |
| even if | provided (that) | wherever |
| even though | rather than | whether |
| every time | since | while |
The conjunctions after, as, as long as, as soon as, before, until, since, when, while are used to say when something happens. They are called conjunctions of time.
Examples
| As we approached, the deer was startled |
| After he had done his duty, he felt happy |
| Take the toy out of the box before you throw the box away |
| As soon as you’ve finished your homework, let me see i |
| I’ll call you when I get home |
| Father watches TV while he does his exercises |
| People stand back as the train goes through the station |
The conjunctions where and wherever are used to talk about places. They are called Subordinating conjunctions of place.
Examples
| She found a great spot where she could read quietly |
| Put it where we can all see it |
| The dog follows Rosy wherever she goes |
The conjunctions although, because, for, once, in as much as, since, as , though, why, and in case tell why someone does something. They are called Subordinating conjunctions of reason.
Examples
| She wanted an answer because she had to leave |
| Although he wanted to say yes, he couldn’t |
| As you’re my best friend, I’ll lend you my new bike |
The conjunctions so, so that, such that and in order to tell what the purpose of something is. They are called Subordinating conjunctions of purpose.
Examples
| She raised her hand so that he could see her |
| We eat that we may live |
| She goes jogging every morning in order to keep fit |
The conjunctions except, if, once, though, unless, without are called Subordinating conjunctions of condition.
Examples
| You don't want it unless someone else has it |
| Unless you work hard, you cannot get good result |
| If he buys the book, he will read it |
as, as far as, as much as, as well as, else, otherwise, rather, than (Than only when it follows comparative adverbs or adjectives or the words else, rather, other, or otherwise.) are called Subordinating conjunctions of comparison.
Example Sentences
| London is larger than any other city in England |
| As far as my lapdog is concerned, yes |
| Are cats more independent than dogs? |
Modal auxiliaries are used for
1.Probability - will ought
2.Possibility - can, could, may, might