Subordinating Conjunctions

What is a Subordinating Conjunction?

Subordinating conjunctions are parts of speech that join dependent clauses to independent clauses. Sometimes referred to as subordinators or subordinate conjunctions, these important words and phrases may also introduce adverb clauses.

Subordinating conjunctions are essential parts of complex sentences with include at least two clauses, with one of the clauses being main (independent) and the other being subordinate (dependent).
There is only one rule to remember about using subordinate conjunctions:
A subordinate conjunction performs two functions within a sentence. First, it illustrates the importance of the independent clause. Second, it provides a transition between two ideas in the same sentence. The transition always indicates a place, time, or cause and effect relationship. For example: We looked in the metal canister, where Ginger often hides her candy.

List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

1. while
2. as soon as
3. although
4. before
5. even if
6. because
7. no matter how
8. whether
9. wherever
10. when
11. until
12. after
13. as if
14. how
15. if
16. provided
17. in that
18. once
19. supposing
20. while
21. unless
22. in case
23. as far as
24. now that
25. as
26. so that
27. though
28. since

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

In the following examples, the subordinating conjunctions are in bold for easy identification:

1. As Sherri blew out the candles atop her birthday cake, she caught her hair on fire.
2. Sara begins to sneeze whenever she opens the window to get a breath of fresh air.
3. When the doorbell rang, my dog Skeeter barked loudly.