Subordinating Conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. In other words, instead of joining two independent clauses of equal importance, subordinating conjunction words make one clause less important than another.

Examples

• I will drink milk after having this chocolate. (I will drink milk is an independent clause; after having this chocolate is a dependent adverb clause).

Some subordinating conjunctions have the same form as prepositions and are used in a similar way. If the word introduces a clause containing a subject and verb, it is a conjunction. If it introduces a phrase with no verb, or a single noun or pronoun it is a preposition

• I am not as clever as you are. (conjunction)
• I am not as clever as you. (preposition)

Note:

Independent clause is a clause that does not need any other clause to complete the sentence. They are independent on their own. E.g., “She did not study” is an independent clause.

Dependent clause is a clause that needs a clause or a sentence to support its completion.

‘Because she did not study’ is a dependent clause.

Some of the subordinate conjunctions are as follows: Although, though, however, as, as long as, once, since, when, while, if, where.

Subordinating Conjunctions of Time: after/since/until/till/before/while/when

Subordinating Conjunctions of Place: where/wherever

Subordinating Conjunctions of Reason: that/since/because/as

Subordinating Conjunctions of Purpose: so that/lest

Subordinating Conjunctions of Concession: though/although/even though

Subordinating Conjunctions of Result: so

Subordinating Conjunctions of Manner: as if / as

Subordinating Conjunctions of Comparison: as/than