Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordination joins clauses that are unequal in importance. So, subordinating conjunction is used to make one clause dependent on another. The dependent clause is subordinate to the independent clause.
Independent
Dependent
The list of subordinating conjunctions is long; here are some of the more common ones.
|
Conjunction |
Relationship |
Examples |
|
When Whenever After Until Before After |
Time |
- Whenever the afternoon bell rings, a teeming horde of children rush eagerly out of school. - My uncle always calls after he watches the news |
|
Where Wherever |
Place |
- I know a place where blackberries grow wild all along the roadside - Wherever you can find an empty spot, just drop your luggage there. |
|
Because Since So that |
Cause/effect |
- Since you have to leave early, why don’t you arrive a few days earlier? - I didn’t answer your messages because I was out of the country.
|
|
If Unless If only |
Condition |
- If my tic ket does not arrive today, I will not be able to fly out tomorrow. - He will not listen to you unless you make him turn off the radio. |
|
|
||
|
Although Eventhough Though |
Contrast |
- Although I have called repeatedly, the credit card company has not corrected my account. - He still brings her roses even though he knows she is allergic to them. |
Exercises on Conjunctions
Choose the conjunction which fits best.
1. I haven't really studied for this exam, ________ I feel a little nervous.
a) so b) unless c) but
2. I told him not to come, ________ he came anyway.
a) since b) unless c) but
3. Do not do anything ________ you hear from him first.
a) unless b) since c) therefore
4. ________ I was really tired, I took a nap for 15 minutes.
a) Although b) Since c) Unless
5. ________ she likes to play basketball, her favorite sport is tennis.
a) While b) Because c) Since
6. ________ it was really hot outside, I wore shorts.
a) Although b) Since c) Unless
7. He has always done well on exams. This time, ________, he failed.
a) however b) accordingly c) moreover
8. I won't be able to borrow any more money ________ I pay off some of my previous debts.
a) but b) until c) although
9. ________ he wasn't a good player, he had a great game.
a) Since b) Because c) Although
10. The little girl slept ________ her father played the guitar.
a) while b) therefore c) until
Rewrite the sentences below combining the sentences. You may add words, such as conjunctions, as needed.
Be careful to keep the meaning of the new sentence the same as the original.
1. Joshua biked to school. Elizabeth went in a car.
2. The circus clown juggled china plates. She also rode a blue bicycle.
3. Monday is a school holiday. The class will take the test on Tuesday.
4. The blue chair is too big. The brown chair is too small.
5. I washed the dishes yesterday. I made the beds today.
6. Science is Kelly’s favorite subject. She wants to be a biologist.
7. No one saw the wolf in the yard. It was too dark.
8. Washington, D.C. is popular with tourists. I haven’t been there.
Combine the short sentences by using the subordinating conjunction provided to create a complex sentence.
1. Finish eating your breakfast. Brush your teeth. After
2. I have to stay for tutoring. I failed the quiz in math. Because
3. We won’t have practice today. It is raining. Since
4. I woke up. I saw that it was snowing! When
5. You eat your vegetables. You cannot have dessert. Until
6. I was taking a quiz in science. The power went out. While
7. You practice. You will not get any better at basketball. Unless
8. The sun rises in the morning. A rooster crows very early. Before
9. You need to study your vocabulary words. You can do well on the quiz. So That
10. You have cookies left over. Can I have one? If