Here's why:
* Dependent clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They need an independent clause to make sense.
* Subordinating conjunctions connect these dependent clauses to the independent clause, showing the relationship between them.
Example:
* Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
Here:
* "Because it was raining" is the dependent clause.
* "We stayed inside" is the independent clause.
* Because is the subordinating conjunction. It shows that the reason we stayed inside was because it was raining.
Common subordinating conjunctions:
* Time: after, before, since, until, when, while
* Cause/Effect: because, since, so that
* Contrast: although, even though, though
* Condition: if, unless
* Purpose: in order that, so that
* Comparison: as, than
Let me know if you'd like more examples!