Subordinating Conjunctions: The Connectors of Dependent Clauses
Subordinating conjunctions are words that join a dependent clause to an independent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, while an independent clause can.
Think of them as the glue that holds the two parts of the sentence together.
Here's a breakdown:
* Dependent Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It often begins with a subordinating conjunction.
* Independent Clause: A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It contains a subject and a verb.
Examples:
* "Because I was hungry, I ate lunch."
* "Because I was hungry" is the dependent clause, and "I ate lunch" is the independent clause.
* "Because" is the subordinating conjunction.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions:
* Time: after, before, since, until, when, while
* Cause/Reason: because, since, as
* Contrast: although, though, even though, whereas
* Condition: if, unless, whether
* Purpose: so that, in order that
* Result: so, so that
* Comparison: as if, as though
How They Work:
* Show Relationships: Subordinating conjunctions show the relationship between the dependent and independent clauses.
* Create Complex Sentences: They allow you to combine ideas and create more complex sentences.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions in Sentences:
* "Although it was raining, we went for a walk." (contrast)
* "If you study hard, you will pass the test." (condition)
* "Since it was hot outside, we decided to stay inside." (cause/reason)
Understanding subordinating conjunctions is essential for writing clear and grammatically correct sentences. They provide a way to express complex ideas and relationships between different parts of a sentence.