Subordinating conjunctions are the words that create dependent clauses—clauses that cannot stand alone as sentences but add essential meaning to independent clauses. They express relationships of time, cause, condition, contrast, purpose, and more, forming the backbone of complex sentence structures. This comprehensive guide provides a complete list of subordinating conjunctions organized by function, detailed examples of each, punctuation rules, and tips for using them effectively in your writing.
Table of Contents
- What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
- How They Work
- Complete List by Category
- Time Conjunctions
- Cause and Reason Conjunctions
- Condition Conjunctions
- Contrast and Concession Conjunctions
- Purpose Conjunctions
- Place Conjunctions
- Manner and Comparison Conjunctions
- Punctuation Rules
- Subordinating vs. Coordinating Conjunctions
- Practice Exercises
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause and connects it to an independent (main) clause. The word "subordinate" means "of lesser rank," and that's exactly what these conjunctions do—they make one clause subordinate to (dependent on) the other.
"Because it was raining, we stayed inside."
The subordinating conjunction "because" turns "it was raining" into a dependent clause that can't stand alone. It must be attached to the independent clause "we stayed inside."
How They Work
Subordinating conjunctions do two things simultaneously:
- They make a clause dependent. By adding a subordinating conjunction to an independent clause, it becomes a dependent clause that can no longer stand alone.
- They show the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause (time, cause, condition, etc.).
Independent: "The sun rose." (Complete thought.)
Dependent: "When the sun rose." (Incomplete—what happened when the sun rose?)
Combined: "When the sun rose, the birds began to sing."
Complete List by Category
| 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 |
Time Conjunctions
These express when something happens relative to another event:
"After the movie ended, we went to dinner."
"I'll call you as soon as I arrive."
"Before you leave, please lock the door."
"She has lived here since she was a child."
"Wait until the light turns green."
"While you were sleeping, I cleaned the house."
"Once you understand the basics, the rest is easy."
"By the time we arrived, the show had already started."
Cause and Reason Conjunctions
"She stayed home because she was ill."
"Since you asked nicely, I'll help."
"As the road was flooded, we took a detour."
"Now that we have the results, we can make a decision."
"The plan failed inasmuch as it lacked proper funding."
Condition Conjunctions
"If you study, you'll pass the test."
"You won't succeed unless you try harder."
"You can borrow my car as long as you return it by Friday."
"Provided that the weather is good, the event will be outdoors."
"Bring a jacket in case it gets cold."
"I'll support you even if everyone else disagrees."
"Whether or not you agree, the decision has been made."
Contrast and Concession Conjunctions
"Although she was tired, she continued working."
"He passed the exam even though he barely studied."
"Whereas I prefer summer, my sister prefers winter."
"While the first plan failed, the second was a success."
"Much as I appreciate your offer, I must decline."
Purpose Conjunctions
"She whispered so that no one else could hear."
"In order that everyone could participate, the meeting was rescheduled."
"He studied quietly lest he disturb his roommate."
"They left early for fear that they might miss the train."
Place Conjunctions
"Put the books back where you found them."
"Wherever you go, I'll follow."
"Everywhere she looked, she saw flowers blooming."
Manner and Comparison Conjunctions
"Do as I say."
"She looked as if she had seen a ghost."
"He spoke as though he were an expert."
"She runs faster than I do."
"Just as the teacher predicted, the test was difficult."
Punctuation Rules
The punctuation for subordinating conjunctions follows a simple pattern:
| Position | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent clause first | Comma after the DC | "Because it rained, we stayed home." |
| Independent clause first | Usually no comma | "We stayed home because it rained." |
| Contrast clause at end | Comma before DC | "She accepted the job, although the pay was low." |
Memory Aid: DC first = comma. IC first = no comma (except for contrast clauses with although/though/even though/whereas/while).
Subordinating vs. Coordinating Conjunctions
| 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 | "She sang, and he danced." | "While she sang, he danced." |
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank with an appropriate subordinating conjunction:
- "___ the storm passed, we went outside to assess the damage."
- "She brought a flashlight ___ the power went out."
- "___ he apologized, she refused to forgive him."
- "I'll help you ___ you promise to help me later."
- "He exercises daily ___ he wants to stay healthy."
- "___ she studied all night, she felt confident about the exam."
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 are the gateway to complex sentences. They transform independent clauses into dependent ones, expressing relationships of time, cause, condition, contrast, purpose, place, and manner. Master them—and their punctuation rules—to create sophisticated, varied sentences that clearly convey the relationships between your ideas.