What is a Subordinating Conjunction?

S2-SA1-0079

Grade Level:

Class 1

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

A subordinating conjunction is a special joining word that connects two parts of a sentence. It connects a main idea (independent clause) with a less important idea (dependent clause) that cannot stand alone. Think of it like a bridge that links a big road to a smaller street.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you want to say, 'I will eat my ladoo' and 'My homework is finished'. These are two separate thoughts. You can join them using a subordinating conjunction like 'after': 'I will eat my ladoo after my homework is finished.' Here, 'after' links the two ideas, showing when the ladoo will be eaten.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the subordinating conjunction in the sentence: 'Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.'
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Step 1: Identify the two parts of the sentence. Part 1: 'it was raining'. Part 2: 'we stayed indoors'.
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Step 2: Check which part can stand alone. 'We stayed indoors' makes complete sense by itself. This is the main idea.
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Step 3: Check which part cannot stand alone. 'it was raining' doesn't make full sense as a complete thought without the 'Because'. This is the less important idea.
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Step 4: The word connecting these two parts is 'Because'.
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Answer: 'Because' is the subordinating conjunction.

Why It Matters

Understanding subordinating conjunctions helps you write clear and complex sentences, just like a journalist writing news reports or a lawyer drafting legal documents. It's crucial for effective communication, whether you're debating in school or writing a story for your English class.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Using a subordinating conjunction to join two complete sentences that can stand alone, making a run-on sentence. Example: 'I went to the market, because it was closed.' | CORRECTION: Use it to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. 'I went to the market, but it was closed.' (Here 'but' is a coordinating conjunction). Or, 'I was sad because the market was closed.'

MISTAKE: Forgetting to use a comma when the subordinating conjunction starts the sentence. Example: 'Although it was late we watched the movie.' | CORRECTION: When the dependent clause comes first, always use a comma before the main clause. 'Although it was late, we watched the movie.'

MISTAKE: Confusing subordinating conjunctions with prepositions. Example: 'I have not seen him since last week.' (Here 'since' is a preposition). | CORRECTION: A subordinating conjunction connects clauses. 'I have not seen him since he moved to Delhi.' (Here 'since' connects 'I have not seen him' to 'he moved to Delhi').

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Identify the subordinating conjunction: 'She will pass the exam if she studies hard.' | ANSWER: if

QUESTION: Fill in the blank with a suitable subordinating conjunction: 'We waited _____ the bus arrived.' (Hint: It shows time) | ANSWER: until

QUESTION: Combine these two sentences using a subordinating conjunction: 'He missed the train. He woke up late.' | ANSWER: He missed the train because he woke up late. (or: Because he woke up late, he missed the train.)

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following is NOT a subordinating conjunction?

Although

Because

But

While

The Correct Answer Is:

But' is a coordinating conjunction, used to join two independent clauses of equal importance. 'Although', 'Because', and 'While' are all subordinating conjunctions.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you use apps like Google Maps or Ola, the instructions often use subordinating conjunctions. For example, 'Turn left after you see the temple' or 'Your ride will arrive when traffic clears.' Even in news headlines or social media posts, these words help explain why something happened or when it will happen.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

CLAUSE: A group of words with a subject and a verb | INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence | DEPENDENT CLAUSE: A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and needs an independent clause to make sense | CONJUNCTION: A word used to connect words, phrases, or clauses

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand subordinating conjunctions, you can explore coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions. These will help you build even more complex and interesting sentences, making your writing super strong!