Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction is a joining word that connects a main idea to a supporting idea in a sentence. The supporting idea gives extra information such as a reason, a time, or a condition.

What You'll Learn

• How to use because, when, while, before, after, if and although to join ideas
• How to tell the difference between the main idea and the supporting idea in a sentence
• How to place the subordinating conjunction at the start or in the middle of a sentence

When to Use

1. Giving a reason: "I brought my umbrella because it was raining."
2. Talking about time: "We washed our hands before we ate our lunch."
3. Showing two things happening together: "Father read the newspaper while I did my homework."
4. Setting a condition: "You can go to the playground if you finish your work."

How to Form

A subordinating conjunction joins a main clause (a complete idea) to a subordinate clause (an idea that cannot stand alone).

Pattern 1: Conjunction in the middle

Pattern 2: Conjunction at the start

When the subordinating conjunction comes first, add a comma after the subordinate clause.

Remember: Both patterns mean the same thing. The conjunction can go in the middle or at the start of the sentence.

Key Rules

1. A subordinate clause cannot stand alone: "Because I was tired" is not a complete sentence on its own. It needs a main clause: "Because I was tired, I went to bed early."
2. Use a comma when the conjunction starts the sentence: "Before we left the house**,** Mother locked the door." But no comma when the conjunction is in the middle: "Mother locked the door before we left the house."
3. "Because" gives a reason: It answers the question "Why?" -- "I wore a jacket because the weather was cold."
4. "Although" shows a surprise: The result is unexpected. "Although it rained, we still had fun at the park."
5. "While" means at the same time: Both actions happen together. "The baby slept while Grandmother watched television."

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Reason

because

Time

when, while, before, after

Condition

if

Contrast / Surprise

although

Tip: Ask yourself what extra information the supporting idea gives. Is it a reason (because), a time (when, before, after, while), a condition (if), or a surprise (although)? This helps you pick the right conjunction.

Practice Tips

1. The "Why / When / What if" test: Read the main clause and ask yourself a question. "I brought my umbrella" -- Why? Because it was raining. When? When it started to drizzle. What if? If it rains later.
2. Comma check: After you write your sentence, look at where the conjunction is. If it starts the sentence, make sure there is a comma before the main clause.
3. Stand-alone test: Cover the main clause and read only the subordinate clause. Does it sound complete? If not, that is correct -- it should need the main clause to make sense.
4. Swap the order: Try writing the same sentence in two ways (conjunction in the middle, then at the start). If both versions make sense, you have used the conjunction correctly.

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