Conjunctions: Subordinating
There are four types of conjunctions: Coordinating,
Subordinating, Conjunctive Adverbs, and Correlative
Conjunctions.
Subordinating conjunctions join dependent clauses to
independent clauses. They show relationships between ideas
rather than just adding words, clauses, or phrases together.
Subordinating conjunctions show these relationships:
Time: after, as soon as, before, once, when,
whenever, while
Reason: as, because, since, so that, whereas
Condition: as, as though, if, provided that,
unless, whether
Contrast or surprise: although, even though,
than, though
Place: everywhere, where, wherever
The subordinating conjunction shows the relationship
between the two clauses, so it doesn't matter which one comes
first.
Because Rufus played so hard, he was tired.
Rufus was tired because he played so hard.
There is a difference, however, in the punctuation.
When the subordinating clause (the part with the conjunction)
comes first, there is a comma after the clause because it
becomes an introductory element of the sentence.
After I get up in the morning, I drink a cup
of coffee.
Whenever I watch TV, I get a headache.
Although class isn't over, you need to take a
nape.
Wherever I travel, I take my old suitcase.
When the subordinating clause follows the independent
clause (the main part of the sentence), there is no comma.
Note: In British English, the comma is often
used before the conjunction but not in American English.
I drink a cup of coffee after I get up in the
morning.
I get a headaches whenever I watch TV.
You need to take a nap although class isn't over.
I take my old suitcase wherever I travel.
Note: Than is a subordinating
conjunction that is used to show contrast, and it's possible
to drop part of the clause, but it's important to use the
correct pronoun. Additionally, than is generally only
used between the two clauses.
Sam is taller than his sister is tall. =
Sam is taller than she is tall.=
Sam is taller than she.
While it's theoretically possible to use the subordinating
clause as an introductory element, it's very awkward.
Than his sister is tall, Sam is taller.
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