Time:
* When: When the sun sets, the stars come out.
* While: While I was working, my phone rang.
* Before: Before you leave, close the door.
* After: After the rain stopped, the sun came out.
* As: As the music played, everyone started dancing.
* Since: Since you've been gone, I've missed you.
* Until: I'll wait until you're ready.
Place:
* Where: Where there is water, there is life.
* Wherever: Wherever you go, I'll follow.
* Everywhere: Everywhere I look, I see beauty.
Cause and Effect:
* Because: Because I was tired, I went to bed early.
* Since: Since it was raining, we decided to stay inside.
* As: As it was getting late, I started packing up.
Purpose:
* So that: I studied hard so that I could pass the test.
* In order to: In order to get a good grade, I need to study more.
Condition:
* If: If it rains, we'll have to cancel the picnic.
* Unless: Unless you work harder, you won't succeed.
* Whether: Whether you like it or not, you have to do it.
Contrast:
* Although: Although I was tired, I continued working.
* Even though: Even though I was nervous, I gave the presentation.
* Though: Though she is small, she is strong.
* Despite: Despite the rain, we had a great time.
* In spite of: In spite of the difficult circumstances, we managed to succeed.
Concession:
* While: While I agree with you, I also see your point.
* Whereas: The first book was exciting, whereas the second was boring.
Other:
* As if: He acted as if he didn't care.
* As though: She spoke as though she knew the answer.
Note: Some of these starters can also be used as conjunctions, but when they introduce an adverb clause, they are followed by a subject and verb. For example: "I waited until the sun set" is a complete sentence, but "I waited until I saw the sun set" is a sentence with an adverb clause introduced by "until".