What is Subordinating Conjunction? Definition and Example Sentences

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Subordinating Conjunctions

In some cases, we may need to connect two sentences and say them in one sentence. In such cases, we need to use subordinate conjunctions. Subordinate clauses in English are the ones used to connect the subordinate clause to the main clause. Subordinate conjunctions establish cause-effect, purpose-effect, simultaneity, probability, or condition meaning between sentences while connecting two sentences. Subordinate clauses are always placed at the beginning of the clause. Subordinate clauses can take place before or after the main clause. In cases where the subordinate clause is at the beginning, a comma (,) sign is placed between the main clause and the subordinate clause.

Subordinate Conjunctions List

After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As much as
As soon as
As though
Because
Even
Even if
Even though
İf
İf only
İf when
İf then
Inasmuch
In order that
Just as
Lest
Now
Now since
Now that
Now when
Once
Provided
Provided that
Rather that
Since
So that
Supposing
Than
That
Though
Till
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Whereas
Whereif
Wherever
Whether
Which
While
Who
Whoever
Why

We have listed 50 Subordinating Conjunctions in the list above. Now, let’s reinforce some of them by using them in a sentence.

Example Sentences:

After school opened, Mark started waking up early in the morning.

We used the conjunction “after” in the sentence given as an example above, this conjunction establishes a time relationship.

Although the weather was very hot, he wore coats and sweaters.
As we walked towards the beach, it started to get dark.
Because he loved Jessie so much, he decided to give her another chance.
You must come home with your cousin before it’s too late.
If you work hard, you will be successful too.
We don’t need to go to school since it’s a holiday on New Year’s Day.

In this sentence, the conjunction “since” establishes a cause-effect relationship.

I’ve made so many friends since I came to Washington.

In this sentence, the conjunction “since” added the meaning of “since” to the sentence.

Now that you’ve graduated from college, you should start looking for a job.
By the time the firefighters got there, the building had already burned down.
The young woman gave CPR to the old man who was lying on the ground until the ambulance arrived.
Whether you agree with me or not, I’m going for a jog on the beach early tomorrow morning.
Today, the poor keep getting poorer, while the rich are getting richer.
While I was in my room, the sound of gunfire from outside scared me.

The tabular form of the subordinate conjunctions listed above is as follows:

After	Although	As	As if	As long as
As much as	As soon as	As though	Because	Before
Even	Even if	Even though	If	If only
If when	If then	Inasmuch	In order that	Just as
Lest	Now	Now since	Now that	Now when
Once	Provided	Provided that	Rather that	Since
So that	Supposing	Than	That	Though
Till	Unless	Until	When	Whenever
Where	Whereas	Where if	Wherever	Whether
Which	While	Who	Whoever	Why