Subordinating Conjunctions

Joining dependent clauses: because, although, if, when, while, unless

intermediate

When to Use

•Time: when, while, before, after, until, as soon as, since.
•Reason: because, since, as.
•Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as.
•Contrast: although, though, even though, while, whereas.
•Purpose: so that, in order that.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Main clause + subordinating conjunction + dependent clause (no comma). OR Subordinating conjunction + dependent clause, + main clause (comma).

Negative (-)

Same structure with negation

Question (?)

Same structure

💡 Comma when dependent clause comes first. No comma when it comes second.

Examples

✓Because it was raining, I stayed home.

✗Because it was raining I stayed home.

Comma after introductory dependent clause.

✓I stayed home because it was raining.

✗I stayed home, because it was raining.

No comma when dependent clause follows.

✓Although she's rich, she's unhappy.

✗Although she's rich but she's unhappy.

Don't use both although and but.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Dependent clause first → comma. Dependent clause last → no comma.
• Time clauses: present tense for future (when I arrive, not when I will arrive).
• Don't combine although/though with but.
• Because answers 'why'; although shows contrast.

adverb-clauses time-conjunctions contrast-conjunctions 📝 conjunctions-intermediate 📝 subordinating-quiz

Subordinating Conjunctions

Joining dependent clauses: because, although, if, when, while, unless

intermediate

When to Use

•Time: when, while, before, after, until, as soon as, since.
•Reason: because, since, as.
•Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as.
•Contrast: although, though, even though, while, whereas.
•Purpose: so that, in order that.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Main clause + subordinating conjunction + dependent clause (no comma). OR Subordinating conjunction + dependent clause, + main clause (comma).

Negative (-)

Same structure with negation

Question (?)

Same structure

💡 Comma when dependent clause comes first. No comma when it comes second.

Examples

✓Because it was raining, I stayed home.

✗Because it was raining I stayed home.

Comma after introductory dependent clause.

✓I stayed home because it was raining.

✗I stayed home, because it was raining.

No comma when dependent clause follows.

✓Although she's rich, she's unhappy.

✗Although she's rich but she's unhappy.

Don't use both although and but.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Dependent clause first → comma. Dependent clause last → no comma.
• Time clauses: present tense for future (when I arrive, not when I will arrive).
• Don't combine although/though with but.
• Because answers 'why'; although shows contrast.

adverb-clauses time-conjunctions contrast-conjunctions 📝 conjunctions-intermediate 📝 subordinating-quiz

Subordinating Conjunctions

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Subordinating Conjunctions

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Because I was late. I apologized.

✗Although it rained, but we went out.

✗I'll call you when I will arrive.

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Because I was late. I apologized.

✗Although it rained, but we went out.

✗I'll call you when I will arrive.

💡 Practice Tips

Related