identify subordinating conjuctions

key notes:

What are Subordinating Conjunctions?

• Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.
• They show the relationship between the two clauses, such as cause, time, condition, or contrast.

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Common Subordinating Conjunctions

• Time: after, before, once, since, until, when, whenever, while
• Cause and Effect: because, since, as, so that
• Condition: if, unless, provided that, in case
• Contrast: although, though, even though, whereas, while
• Purpose: so that, in order that
• Comparison: than, as…as

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Identifying Subordinating Conjunctions in Sentences

A dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone.

The independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Example:

• “Although it was raining, we went to the park.”
• “Although it was raining” (dependent clause) + “we went to the park” (independent clause).

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Sentence Structure with Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunction at the beginning:

• “Since it was late, we went home.”
• (Comma is used after the dependent clause.)

Subordinating conjunction in the middle:

• “We went home since it was late.”
• (No comma is needed when the dependent clause comes second.)

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Practice Exercise

Underline the subordinating conjunctions in these sentences:

• I stayed inside because it was too cold.
• She will wait until you arrive.
• Though he was tired, he continued working.
• We will go to the beach if the weather is nice.

let’s practice!