{"id":4070,"date":"2013-06-27T17:18:24","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T17:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4070"},"modified":"2026-03-26T09:27:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:27:29","slug":"subordinating-conjunctions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/subordinating-conjunctions\/","title":{"rendered":"Subordinating Conjunctions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_uLvc7-ktW48\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_uLvc7-ktW48\" data-source-videoID=\"uLvc7-ktW48\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Subordinating Conjunctions Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Subordinating Conjunctions\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_uLvc7-ktW48:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_uLvc7-ktW48 {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/758-subordinating-conjunctions-2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_uLvc7-ktW48\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_uLvc7-ktW48\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Subordinating Conjunctions\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_uLvc7-ktW48\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_uLvc7-ktW48\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_uLvc7-ktW48\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction 81s_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"81s\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"81s_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"81s\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Independent_and_Dependent_Clauses\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Independent and Dependent Clauses<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Subordinating_Conjunctions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Subordinating Conjunctions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hi, and welcome to this video on subordinating conjunctions!<\/p>\n<p>Subordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that link an independent clause with a dependent clause to create complex sentences. Let\u2019s remember what these clauses are:<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Independent_and_Dependent_Clauses\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Independent and Dependent Clauses<\/h2>\n<p>\nAn independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in a complete sentence. For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Liz went to the studio to record her song.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nHere, we see this sentence has a subject (<m>Liz<\/em>) and a verb (<em>went<\/em>), and is a complete sentence.<\/p>\n<p>A dependent clause is a sentence fragment that does not express a complete thought but still contains a <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/subjects\/\">subject<\/a> and a verb, as well as a dependent marker word. A dependent marker word is a word placed at the beginning of an independent clause to make it a dependent clause. Let\u2019s look at an example: <\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">When Liz went to the studio to record her song<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nHere, since we have the dependent marker word <em>when<\/em> in this sentence, it\u2019s no longer a complete thought but still contains a subject and a verb, making it a dependent clause.<\/p>\n<p>Now that we understand what independent and dependent clauses are, we can explain how subordinating conjunctions affect them.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Subordinating_Conjunctions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Subordinating Conjunctions<\/h2>\n<p>\nSubordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that can explain cause and effect; show a relationship between time, place, or change happening in the sentence; or express additional details that support the independent clause. Some subordinating conjunctions include <em>because<\/em>, <em>even though<\/em>, <em>after<\/em>, <em>if<\/em>, <em>whenever<\/em>, and <em>more<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at some sentences that include subordinating conjunctions.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Example_1\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Example #1<\/h3>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Jasmine agreed to pick up her sister from the train, provided that her sister gives her gas money.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nNow let\u2019s break down this sentence. The independent clause here is &#8220;Jasmine agreed to pick up her sister from the train.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We know this is the independent clause because it contains a subject, <em>Jasmine<\/em>, and a verb, <em>pick up<\/em>, and is a complete sentence. The independent clause describes the action taking place.<\/p>\n<p>Now that we know the independent clause, we can find the subordinating conjunction that links it to the rest of the sentence. <\/p>\n<p>We know that <em>provided that<\/em> is the subordinating conjunction because it links the independent clause (the action\/effect) with the reason, which is the dependent clause, \u201cher sister gives her gas money.\u201d <\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Example_2\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Example #2<\/h3>\n<p>\nHere is another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">He always enjoyed reading even though he was not the best student.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nAgain, let&#8217;s break this down by first identifying the independent clause.<\/p>\n<p>We know \u201cHe always enjoyed reading\u201d is the independent clause because it contains a subject, <em>he<\/em>, a verb, <em>reading<\/em>, and is a complete sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Now let\u2019s find the subordinating conjunction. Here, the subordinating conjunction is <em>even though<\/em>, because it links the independent clause with supporting details &#8220;he was not the best student.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Example_3\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Example #3<\/h3>\n<p>\nSubordinating conjunctions can also link two independent clauses. Here is another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Whenever Rachel is running late, she lets her sister know in advance.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nHere, the subordinating conjunction, <emj>whenever<\/em>, is at the beginning of the sentence and tells us the time at which something happens. We know what happens during the independent clause &#8220;Rachel is running late&#8221; and that is &#8220;she lets her sister know in advance.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to notice in instances like this, when the subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of two independent clauses, that you\u2019ll need to use a comma to separate the two clauses. Here a comma separates &#8220;Rachel is running late&#8221; and &#8220;she lets her sister know in advance,&#8221; while still allowing the subordinating conjunction <em>whenever<\/em> to link the two ideas together.<\/p>\n<p>Subordinating conjunctions can appear in many ways and many places in complex sentences. Knowing how to identify them and what they do can help improve the quality and complexity of your writing.  <\/p>\n<p>Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<ul class=\"citelist\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/owl.purdue.edu\/owl\/general_writing\/punctuation\/independent_and_dependent_clauses\/index.html\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cIndependent and Dependent Clauses \/\/ Purdue Writing Lab.\u201d 2018<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chompchomp.com\/terms\/subordinateconjunction.htm\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cThe Subordinate Conjunction | Grammar Bytes!\u201d n.d.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grammarly.com\/blog\/subordinating-conjunctions\/\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cWhat Is a Subordinating Conjunction?\u201d 2017<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a subordinating conjunction?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A subordinating conjunction is a conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause (also called a dependent clause). Here are a few example sentences with the subordinate conjunctions bolded and the subordinate clauses underlined:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;Please clean your room <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>before<\/strong> you leave<\/span>.&quot;<br \/>&quot;Can we go to the bookstore <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>after<\/strong> we eat lunch<\/span>?&quot;<br \/>&quot;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Once<\/strong> the food arrived<\/span>, everyone began to cheer.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>The following are common examples of subordinating conjunctions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>After<\/li>\n<li>Although<\/li>\n<li>As<\/li>\n<li>Because<\/li>\n<li>Before<\/li>\n<li>If<\/li>\n<li>Once<\/li>\n<li>Only<\/li>\n<li>Since<\/li>\n<li>So<\/li>\n<li>Than<\/li>\n<li>That<\/li>\n<li>Though<\/li>\n<li>Unless<\/li>\n<li>Until<\/li>\n<li>When<\/li>\n<li>Whenever<\/li>\n<li>Where<\/li>\n<li>Wherever<\/li>\n<li>While<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What are the 7 subordinating conjunctions?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Generally, subordinating conjunctions are split into six categories, though sometimes a seventh category is added:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Comparison:<\/strong>These subordinating conjunctions are used to compare two or more things or ideas by providing context. Here is an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;Mark prefers walking, <strong>whereas<\/strong> Will prefers riding his bike.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Comparison-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>just as<\/em>, <em>though<\/em>, <em>whereas<\/em>, <em>in contrast to<\/em>, <em>while<\/em>, and <em>similarly<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Time:<\/strong> These subordinating conjunctions are used to show when one thing is happening in relation to another. Here is an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;We can watch the movie <\/strong>after<\/strong> everyone arrives.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Time-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>after<\/em>, <em>as soon as<\/em>, <em>as long as<\/em>, <em>before<\/em>, <em>once<\/em>, <em>still<\/em>, <em>until<\/em>, <em>when<\/em>, <em>whenever<\/em>, and <em>while<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Concession:<\/strong> These subordinating conjunctions are used to concede a point between the subordinate and independent clauses. Here\u2019s an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;<strong>Although<\/strong> it was raining, I still went for a walk outside.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Concession-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>although<\/em>, <em>as though<\/em>, and <em>even though<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reason\/Cause:<\/strong> These subordinating conjunctions are used to provide a cause or reason for the activity performed in the main independent clause. Here is an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;I arrived early <strong>so that<\/strong> I could get the best seats.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Cause-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>as<\/em>, <em>because<\/em>, <em>in order that<\/em>, <em>since<\/em>, and <em>so that<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Place:<\/strong> These subordinating conjunctions are used to determine where something is occurring. Here is an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;They hid the Easter eggs <strong>where<\/strong> the kids will never find them!&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Place-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>where<\/em>, <em>wherever<\/em>, and <em>whereas<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Condition:<\/strong> These subordinating conjunctions are used to show that the independent clause relies on the information found in the subordinate clause. Here is an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;Do not speak <strong>unless<\/strong> you are spoken to.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Condition-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>even if<\/em>, <em>if<\/em>, <em>in case<\/em>, <em>provided that<\/em>, and <em>unless<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Manner:<\/strong> These subordinating conjunctions are used to show how something happens. Here is an example:<br \/>&nbsp;\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;He began to dig <strong>as if<\/strong> his life depended on it.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Manner-related subordinating conjunctions include <em>as if<\/em> and <em>as though<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Is &quot;because&quot; a subordinating conjunction?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Yes, the word <em>because<\/em> is a subordinating conjunction. It falls into the &quot;Cause\/Reason&quot; category, showing the cause or reason for the event that takes place in the independent clause.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Is &quot;and&quot; a subordinating conjunction?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>No, the word <em>and<\/em> is a coordinating conjunction.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Is &quot;but&quot; a subordinating conjunction?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>No, the word <em>but<\/em> is a coordinating conjunction.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/parts-of-a-sentence\/\">Return to Parts of a Sentence Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Parts of a Sentence Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99871,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4070","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-parts-of-a-sentence-videos","7":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4070"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":260896,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4070\/revisions\/260896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}