Subordinating conjunctions
(See also Coordinating conjunctions)
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause:
+
Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:
- after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
Look at this example:
| main or independent clause |
subordinate or dependent clause |
|
|---|---|---|
| Ram went swimming | although | it was raining. |
| subordinating conjunction |
||
A subordinate or dependent clause "depends" on a main or independent clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine that somebody says to you: "Hello! Although it was raining." What do you understand? Nothing! But a main or independent clause can exist alone. You will understand very well if somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram went swimming."
A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can come after or before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible:
+
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
+ ,
Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.