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Good complex sentences need clear signals. Subordinating conjunctions provide those signals by linking one idea to another and showing whether the connection is about time, reason, condition, contrast, purpose, place, or comparison. Words and phrases such as because, although, when, and if introduce clauses that depend on a main clause for full meaning. This guide groups common subordinating conjunctions by use, shows them in context, explains comma patterns, and gives you practice applying them.
Contents at a Glance
- Meaning of Subordinating Conjunctions
- What They Do in a Sentence
- Full List Grouped by Use
- Conjunctions That Show Time
- Conjunctions That Give Reasons
- Conjunctions That Set Conditions
- Conjunctions That Show Contrast
- Conjunctions That Show Purpose
- Conjunctions That Point to Place
- Conjunctions for Manner and Comparison
- Comma Guidelines
- How Subordinating and Coordinating Conjunctions Differ
- Try These Practice Items
Meaning of Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that begins a dependent, or subordinate, clause and attaches it to an independent, or main, clause. Subordinate means lower in rank. In grammar, that means the clause introduced by the conjunction cannot carry the whole sentence by itself.
"Because the printer jammed, the reports were late."
Here, "because" changes "the printer jammed" into a dependent clause. It needs the main clause "the reports were late" to form a complete sentence.
What They Do in a Sentence
Subordinating conjunctions handle two jobs at once:
- They explain the connection between the dependent clause and the independent clause, such as time, reason, condition, purpose, or contrast.
- They turn a complete idea into a dependent clause. Once a subordinating conjunction is added, the clause usually can no longer stand alone as a sentence.
Independent: "The meeting ended." (A complete thought.)
Dependent: "When the meeting ended." (Incomplete—what happened then?)
Combined: "When the meeting ended, everyone checked their messages."
Full List Grouped by Use
| Category | Subordinating Conjunctions |
|---|---|
| Time | after, as, as soon as, before, by the time, once, since, until, when, whenever, while |
| Cause/Reason | because, since, as, now that, inasmuch as, in that, seeing that, given that |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, providing that, as long as, so long as, in case, even if, on condition that, whether or not |
| Contrast/Concession | although, though, even though, whereas, while, even if, despite the fact that, in spite of the fact that, much as, no matter how |
| Purpose | so that, in order that, lest, for fear that |
| Result | so...that, such...that |
| Place | where, wherever, everywhere |
| Manner/Comparison | as, as if, as though, than, as...as, just as |
Conjunctions That Show Time
These conjunctions tell when one action happens in relation to another action or event:
"After the guests left, Maya washed the coffee cups."
"Text me as soon as your train reaches the station."
"Before the interview begins, review your notes."
"Daniel has played chess since he was seven."
"Stay at the curb until the crossing signal changes."
"While the soup simmered, I chopped the herbs."
"Once the password is reset, you can sign in again."
"By the time the bus arrived, the rain had stopped."
Conjunctions That Give Reasons
"The match was delayed because lightning was nearby."
"Since you finished early, you may start the next section."
"As the elevator was out of service, we used the stairs."
"Now that the contract is signed, the project can begin."
"The proposal struggled inasmuch as it offered no clear timeline."
Conjunctions That Set Conditions
"If you save the receipt, you can return the jacket."
"The plant will not survive unless it gets more sunlight."
"You may use my laptop as long as you keep it plugged in."
"Provided that enough volunteers sign up, the fundraiser will happen."
"Pack extra batteries in case the remote dies."
"I will attend even if the schedule changes again."
"Whether or not the team agrees, the deadline remains Friday."
Conjunctions That Show Contrast
"Although the trail was steep, we reached the overlook."
"Marcus won the race even though he had missed two practices."
"Whereas Elena likes quiet cafés, Jordan chooses busy diners."
"While the first draft was confusing, the revision was clear."
"Much as I enjoy camping, I prefer a warm bed tonight."
Conjunctions That Show Purpose
"Nina lowered the volume so that the baby could sleep."
"In order that all members could vote, the board moved the deadline."
"He closed the door gently lest he wake the dog."
"They booked an earlier flight for fear that the roads would freeze."
Conjunctions That Point to Place
"Leave the key where the manager can find it."
"Wherever the path turns, the hikers will follow the markers."
"Everywhere the children ran, muddy footprints appeared."
Conjunctions for Manner and Comparison
"Arrange the files as I showed you."
"The sky looked as if a storm were coming."
"She answered as though she had known the secret for weeks."
"This route is shorter than the one we took yesterday."
"Just as the coach warned, the final lap was the hardest."
Comma Guidelines
Comma use with subordinating conjunctions usually depends on where the dependent clause appears:
| Position | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent clause first | Comma after the DC | "Because the alarm failed, we opened late." |
| Independent clause first | Usually no comma | "We opened late because the alarm failed." |
| Contrast clause at end | Comma before DC | "Leo accepted the assignment, although the deadline was tight." |
Memory Aid: DC first = comma. IC first = no comma in most cases. Use a comma before a final contrast clause introduced by although, though, even though, whereas, or while.
How Subordinating and Coordinating Conjunctions Differ
| Feature | Coordinating (FANBOYS) | Subordinating |
|---|---|---|
| Number | 7 | 50+ |
| Joins | Equal elements | Unequal elements (makes one dependent) |
| Creates | Compound sentences | Complex sentences |
| Comma rule | Comma before conjunction | Comma after dependent clause (when first) |
| Example | "Mia laughed, and Omar smiled." | "While Mia laughed, Omar smiled." |
Try These Practice Items
Choose a suitable subordinating conjunction for each blank:
- "___ the thunder stopped, the players returned to the field."
- "Lena packed a phone charger ___ the battery died."
- "___ he explained the mistake, the customer stayed upset."
- "I will share my notes ___ you return them tomorrow."
- "He walks every morning ___ he wants more energy."
- "___ she had reviewed the material carefully, she felt ready for the quiz."
Suggested Answers: 1. After/Once. 2. in case. 3. Even though/Although. 4. provided that/if. 5. because. 6. Because/Since.
Key Takeaway: Subordinating conjunctions help you build complex sentences instead of stacking simple ones. They make one clause dependent on another and show the exact relationship between the ideas: time, cause, condition, contrast, purpose, place, manner, or comparison. Learn the common forms and the comma pattern, and your sentences will become clearer, smoother, and more precise.