Adding Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordination
Subordination joins two sentences with related ideas by merging them into a main clause (a complete sentence) and a dependent clause (a construction that relies on the main clause to complete its meaning). Coordination allows a writer to give equal weight to the two ideas that are being combined, and subordination enables a writer to emphasize one idea over the other. Take a look at the following sentences:
To illustrate that these two ideas are related, we can rewrite them as a single sentence using the subordinating conjunction even though.
In the revised version, we now have an independent clause (she stopped to help the injured man) that stands as a complete sentence and a dependent clause (even though Tracy would be late for work) that is subordinate to the main clause. Notice that the revised sentence emphasizes the fact that Tracy stopped to help the injured man, rather than the fact she would be late for work. We could also write the sentence this way:
The meaning remains the same in both sentences, with the subordinating conjunction even though introducing the dependent clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction is a word that joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause. Review the following chart of some common subordinating conjunctions and examples of how they are used:
| Function | Subordinating Conjunction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Concession | although, while, though, whereas, even though | Sarah completed her report even though she had to stay late to get it done. |
| Condition | if, unless, until | Until we know what is causing the problem, we will not be able to fix it. |
| Manner | as if, as, though | Everyone in the conference room stopped talking at once, as though they had been stunned into silence. |
| Place | where, wherever | Rita is in Toronto where she has several important client meetings. |
| Reason | because, since, so that, in order that | Because the air conditioning was turned up so high, everyone in the office wore sweaters. |
| Time | after, before, while, once, when | After the meeting had finished, we all went to lunch. |
Take a look at the excerpt and identify some areas in which the writer might use subordination:
When the red grapes arrive at the winery, they are destemmed and crushed. The liquid that is left is made up of skins, seeds, and juice. The stems are removed. They contain harsh-tasting tannins. Once the grapes are destemmed and crushed, the liquid is pumped into a fermentation container. Here, sulfur dioxide is added. It prevents the liquid from becoming oxidized. It also destroys bacteria. Some winemakers carry out the fermenting process by using yeast that is naturally present on the grapes. Many add a yeast that is cultivated in a laboratory.
Now look at this revised paragraph and compare your answers. You will probably notice that there are many different ways to subordinate sentences.
When the red grapes arrive at the winery, they are destemmed and crushed. The liquid that is left is made up of skins, seeds, and juice. Because the stems contain harsh-tasting tannins, they are removed. Once the grapes are destemmed and crushed, the liquid is pumped into a fermentation container. Here, sulfur dioxide is added in order to prevent the liquid from becoming oxidized. Sulfur dioxide also destroys bacteria. Although some winemakers carry out the fermenting process by using yeast that is naturally present on the grapes, many add a yeast that is cultivated in a laboratory.
Check Your Understanding: Combining Sentences
Combine each sentence pair into a single sentence using a subordinating conjunction and then copy the combined sentence onto your own sheet of paper.
- Jake is going to Haida Gwaii. There are beautiful beaches in Haida Gwaii.
- A snowstorm disrupted traffic all over the east coast. There will be long delivery delays this week.
- My neighbor had his television volume turned up too high. I banged on his door and asked him to keep the noise down.
- Kathryn prepared the potato salad and the sautéed vegetables. Stewart marinated the chicken.
- Romeo poisons himself. Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead and stabs herself with a dagger.
Check Your Understanding: Coordination or Subordination
Join the bolded sentences using coordination or subordination. Check your revised sentences for punctuation.
The yeast is added to the must. Alcoholic fermentation then begins. Here, the red wine production process differs from the method used in white wine production. Red wine is fermented for a shorter time. It is fermented at a higher temperature. Whereas white wines may ferment for over a month, red wines typically ferment for less than two weeks. During fermentation, contact between the skins and the juice releases tannins and flavor compounds into the must. This process is known as maceration. Maceration may occur before, during, or after fermentation. The fermentation process is completed. The next stage is pressing. Many methods are used for pressing, the most common of which is basket pressing.
Check your Understanding: Subordinating Conjunctions
Using subordinating conjunctions to connect ideas – Strategy # 3 (Text Version)
The nice thing about subordinating conjuctions is that you can usually play with their organization. The connecting word can come at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle.
Always compare the two structures and decide which one you think is more effective. Using different structures can add variety to your writing.
Let’s see if you can identify subordinating conjunctions and their positions in sentences.
- Identify all the subordinating conjunctions in the following sentences:
- Because the winter storm came so suddenly, no one had time to prepare for it.
- No one had time to prepare for the winter storm because it came so suddenly.
- After he discovered she didn’t have any money, he decided not to marry her.
- He decided not to marry her after he discovered she had no money.
- Even if you don’t follow the recipe exactly, the bread will turn out fine.
- Some people are afraid of challenges while others embrace them.
- Even though he understands the dangers of smoking, he refuses to quit.
- I will go running even if it is freezing cold.
Subordinating conjunctions serve different purposes. You need to understand the meanings of subordinating conjunctions to use them effectively.
Answer the following questions to check your understanding of the meanings of different subordinating conjunctions.
- Organize the different subordinate conjunctions listed below into the Subordinate Conjunctions table.
- whenever
- after
- now that
- because
- even though
- whereas
- although
- if
- unless
- only if
- even if
Subordinate Conjunctions Time Cause/Effect Opposition Condition - Fill in the blanks with logical subordinating conjunctions. Choose one of the following: in case, even though, since, only if, when, while, whereas, even if. Choose a different word each time.
- You can go on to the next slide ______ you finish this one first.
- ____ we were walking through the park, we saw many deer.
- _____most restaurants close by 10:00, many clubs stay open until 3:00 am.
- I refuse to go that party _____ you pay me.
- ______ no one was interested in the meetings, they were cancelled.
- Jamil refused to wear a tie to the restaurant _____ it was required.
- _____ we can’t guarantee your tree will live forever, we can promise it will last as long as your house.
- We brought an umbrella ______ it rains.
Activity source: “Using Subordinating Conjunctions” by Paul Van Raay, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Summary
In this module, you looked at what run-on sentences are and how they can impede fluency and coherence in writing. Next, you examined how to avoid run-on sentences by adding correct punctuation, and/or coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. You also reviewed all uses of the comma and practiced including them correctly in our writing.
Remember to apply these sentence skills in all your future writing pieces and edit for run-on sentences specifically.
In the next module, you will be learning about parallelism in your writing.
Attribution & References
Except where otherwise noted, this section is adapted from “74 Coordination and Subordination for Sentence Variety” In Advanced English by Allison Kilgannon, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. / An adaptation from “Coordination and Subordination” in Writing for Success by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution (and republished by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), which is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License. / Adaptation include changing underlined materials to bolded.
