Time
* After: After the rain stopped, we went for a walk.
* Before: Before you leave, please turn off the lights.
* Since: Since you've been working so hard, you deserve a break.
* While: While I was cooking dinner, my son did his homework.
* When: When the bell rings, we'll all go outside.
* Until: Until you finish your chores, you can't watch TV.
* As soon as: As soon as I get paid, I'll buy a new phone.
Cause and Effect
* Because: I'm late because I missed the bus.
* Since: Since the weather was so bad, we stayed inside.
* As: As the sun went down, the sky turned orange.
* So that: I'm saving money so that I can buy a new car.
Contrast
* Although: Although it was cold outside, I enjoyed the walk.
* Though: Though she was tired, she finished the project.
* Even though: Even though I don't like vegetables, I tried this one.
* While: While he enjoys cooking, he doesn't like cleaning up.
Condition
* If: If you study hard, you'll do well on the test.
* Unless: Unless you pay the rent, you'll be evicted.
* Whether: Whether you like it or not, I'm going to the party.
* Provided that: Provided that you're on time, we can leave now.
Comparison
* As if: She looked as if she had seen a ghost.
* Than: My house is bigger than yours.
Purpose
* In order that: I'm studying hard in order that I can get a good job.
* So that: I'm saving money so that I can buy a new car.
Other
* Where: Where the river meets the ocean, there is a beautiful beach.
* How: I don't know how to do that.
* Why: I can't figure out why she left.
Remember: Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, creating a complex sentence. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.