Identifying the Subordinating Conjunction

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent (subordinate) clauses and join the dependent clause to the independent or main clause in a sentence. (A dependent clause has a subject and verb, but it depends on the independent clause for context and meaning.)

Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

After* Rather than

Although Since

As So

As if Than

As long as That

As though Though

Because Unless

Before* Until*

Even if When

Even though Whenever

If Whereas

If only Wherever

In order that While

*These subordinating conjunctions can also act as prepositions, but as subordinating conjunctions they introduce a clause not a prepositional phrase.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions:
After*	Rather than
Although	Since
As	So
As if	Than
As long as	That
As though	Though
Because	Unless
Before*	Until*
Even if	When
Even though	Whenever
If	Whereas
If only	Wherever
In order that	While
*These subordinating conjunctions can also act as prepositions, but as subordinating conjunctions they introduce a clause not a prepositional phrase.

Subordinate clauses modify the independent clause in some way or act as parts of speech in relation to the independent clause.

[In the following examples, the subordinating conjunction is bold and the subordinate clause is underlined.]

Subordinate clause as an adverb clause.
- He was the first president to serve when the popular culture had merged with politics in a celebrity-obsessed culture.
  - The subordinate clause answers the question when about the independent clause.
- The recession was over for a year and a half before Clinton took office.
  - The subordinate clause answers the question when about the independent clause.
- Clinton was criticized for failing to push negotiating authority for trade agreements, because he didn't want to alienate organized labor.
  - The subordinate clause tells why or the condition under which the independent occurred.
Subordinate clause as a noun clause.
- Many prominent Democrats conceded that the catalog contained enough truth to mean the party had to change.
  - The subordinate clause tells us what the Democrats concede. It is a direct object.
- James Carville said he considers it the low point of the Clinton presidency.
  - The subordinate clause tells us what the James Carville said. The subordinating conjunction THAT between SAID and HE is implied.
Subordinate clause as an adjective clause.
- The announcers claimed this was the product that we could all count on.
  - The subordinate clause tells us what kind of product it is.
- This is the plan until the captain arrives with a better one.
  - The subordinate clause describes the plan.

* NOTE: Usually no comma is needed before a subordinating conjunction if the dependent clause follows the independent clause.

To see the difference between subordinating conjunctions and prepositions, please go to the next page.