Conjunction and Examples- Part 2 (Subordinating Conjunctions): A Subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause. A subordinate conjunction comes at the beginning of a dependent clause and links it to an independent clause.
Subordinate conjunctions are also known as subordinators, Subordinating conjunctions, and complementisers.
Main Clause
A main Clause is also known as an independent clause or principal clause. It expresses a complete thought, containing a subject and a verb. It doesn’t need any additional information to exist.
Subordinate clause
A subordinate clause is also known as a dependent clause. It starts with subordinate words. It cannot exist by itself as a sentence and only provides some additional information to the main Clause.
Subordinating Conjunction
A Subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. They establish a relationship between the two clauses.
(Subordinate conjunction से बनने वाले sentences complex sentences कहलाते हैं।)
Types of Subordinate conjunctions on the basis of their function:
Time
Cause/Reason
Purpose
Concession
Condition
Comparison
Place
Manner
Subordinating conjunctions of Time
Time-related conjunctions establish a period when the main clause will be or was performed.
Following are the most common Subordinating conjunctions of time:
Before, after, until, since, when, while, whenever, as soon as, as, once
Before
It indicates that an action happens prior to another.
He had called me before he left for London.
I brush my teeth before I get ready for my morning walk.
They will finish the presentation before the clients arrive.
She has to make arrangements before the function begins.
After
It indicates that an action happens subsequent to another.
I began my work after they had gone.
The farmers left for their homes after the sun had set.
I will do the dishes after everyone has gone home.
The train arrived after the signal had been lowered.
Until
It is used to indicate the end of a time period.
Until you come here, I will not go.
Avoid touching the walls until the paint is completely dry.
The meeting will not begin until the clients arrive.
Keep your hand on the wound until the bleeding stops.
Since
Since means ‘ from the time when’
I have been living here since I was in college.
Many things have changed since I left the job.
I have been teaching English since I got married.
I have not taken any bribes since I joined this profession.
Note-1. ‘Since’ जिस tense के बारे में बात करता है वो tense या तो perfect tense होगा या perfect continuous- इनके अलावा since किसी और tense के बारे में बात नहीं कर सकता।
2. Since के बाद जो tense आएगा वो हमेशा simple past में ही होगा।
When
It indicates a specific point in time or a condition.
I was getting ready when the phone rang.
I found it when I was walking to school.
When it rains, the roads get slippery.
Your friends were laughing when you fell off the bike.
While
Two actions or events are happening at the same time.
I listen to an audiobook while I walk every morning.
They were talking while the teacher was busy.
While I was walking, it was drizzling.
While she was cooking, he was setting the table.
Whenever
Indicates that an action occurs every time a specific event happens.
Whenever I smiled, the kid smiled back.
Whenever I hear that song, I start dancing.
The dog barks whenever someone opens the door.
Whenever he visits, he brings flowers.
As soon as
Indicates time- Immediately after something else
He will do it as soon as he comes.
As soon as I woke up, I brushed my teeth.
The party was stopped as soon as it started raining.
As soon as I reached school, the bell rang.
Once
Indicates that something will happen immediately after another event.
I am going out once the football match has finished.
Once the train arrives, we will board.
Once the work is done, we can relax.
As
It is used to show that two actions happen at the same time.
The children laughed as they watched the clown.
It started raining as we left the house.
Subordinating conjunctions of reason(cause and effect)
Subordinating conjunctions of reason are used to indicate the reason why the activities of a main clause were happening.
Subordinate conjunctions of reason: Because, since, as
(ये सब cause या reason बताते हैं। इन सभी word के बाद कोई ना कोई reason आएगा, उसके बाद result.)
Examples-
Because
The Titanic sank because it hit a huge iceberg.
He was annoyed because the train had stopped.
I couldn’t complete the work because I was ill.
Since
I slapped him since he irritated me.
Since the students had been bullying him, he left the school.
Since I had been driving for 10 hours, I was tired.
As
As my dog tore up my homework, I got a zero.
As she was not there, I spoke to her mother.
I bought a new laptop as the old one was getting very slow.
He got good marks because/since/as he worked hard.
Because/Since/As I was ill, I could not attend the class.
Note- ‘because’ sentence के शुरू में भी आ सकता है और बीच में भी।
Because/since/as (क्योंकि/चूंकि)
(इनके साथ कभी भी so/therefore/thus का use नहीं होता।)
Because he came late, therefore he failed. ×××
Because he came late, he failed. ✓✓✓
Since she was tired therefore she went to bed early. ×××
Since she was tired, she went to bed early. ✓✓✓
Since- यह sentences में time/reason दोनों show करता हैं।
I have not met him since he left. (showing time)
Since he was ill, he couldn’t come. (showing reason)
Subordinating conjunctions of Purpose
These conjunctions indicate a purpose or intention.
We use the following conjunctions to talk about purposes or goals: so that, in order that
So that
Examples-
Humans eat so that they may live.
She worked hard so that she could come first in the class.
He left early so that he wouldn’t miss the train.
Note- so और that को जब sentence में अलग-अलग तोड़ कर लिखा जाता है तब ये result बताते हैं। इस दशा में ‘so’ adverb का और ‘that’ conjunction का कार्य करता है।
So…………………that- (result)
So that-(purpose)
He was so happy that he forgot to take his papers. (showing result)
In order that
(It’s a more formal way of saying ‘so that’.)
Examples-
She went out in order that she could feel better.
We will call you in order that you can send us your documents.
She opened the door in order that fresh air could come in.
Note- The subordinate clauses in the above sentences are telling us the reason why the action in the main clause happened.
Subordinating conjunctions of contrast (concession)
Subordinating conjunctions of contrast are also known as concession/ adversative conjunctions. These are used to indicate the action that took place in spite of an obstacle or hindrance.
They include though, although, however, even if, as though, even though, whereas.
Although/Though/Even though-के बावजूद, हालांकि, यद्यपि
Although- more formal, used often in written English
Even though- add more emphasis on the contrast
Used in the beginning or middle of a sentence.
Although
Although I was sick, I stood first in the class.
They continued studying although it was getting late.
Although they were not prepared, they won the competition.
Though
Though he is educated, he always talks senselessly.
Though he is rich, he is always shabbily dressed.
‘Though’ can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence to express a contrasting idea.
That movie was a bit long, it was good though.
She continued working, she was tired though.
Note- अगर जो reason बताया जा रहा है वह contradictory है तो opposite reason वाली conjunction प्रयोग होगी।
Although I was well, I didn’t go to office./
I didn’t go to the office although I was well. (opposite reason)
Even though
Raj wrote the report even though it was assigned to Manjeet.
Even though she had to prepare for the exam, she went out to play football.
They went to the party even though they were not interested.
She gets very good grades even though she doesn’t study much.
Subordinating conjunctions of condition
Subordinating conjunctions of condition are found in sentences where one clause describes something that happened or will happen if the condition of the other clause is satisfied.
These are indicated by even if, if, in case, provided that, unless, provided, on condition, only if, etc.
( These conjunctions show how one action depends on another.)
If
It shows the dependency of one clause on the other.
If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
If you finish your homework, you can play football.
If it is sunny tomorrow, we will go to the park.
Unless
It introduces a negative condition.
(It means ‘if not’)
Unless you work hard, you won’t succeed.
I can’t trust you unless you give it in writing.
I will not say anything unless he makes his point clear.
Note- Unless के just बाद जो clause होता है, उसमें ‘not’ नहीं लगता। Second clause में ‘not’ का प्रयोग किया जा सकता है।
Unless you work hard, you will not pass.
You should not park here unless you have a permit.
Provided/ Provided that- बशर्ते, शर्त ये है कि, पर तब जब
Note- The clause with ‘Provided’ must be in the ‘ Present Indefinite Tense’ even if the clause appears to be in the future.
(Provided means if it happens.
It specifies a formal condition.)
I will let you drive provided that you have a licence.
Provided the price is affordable, I will buy all the things.
He can be invited to the party provided he behaves properly.
Even if
Even if means whether or not.
Even if it rains, I am going out.
I will go shopping even if I don’t have time.
Even if he loses his job, he will stay financially stable.
In case
‘In case’ is used to express that we can do something if something happens or will happen.
In case it rains, I will take an umbrella.
We will go to the park in case it is sunny tomorrow.
You can play football in case you finish your homework.
On condition that
It also specifies a formal condition.
Similar to provided that.
You can join the secret club on condition that you wear a pineapple on your head.
Subordinating conjunctions of Comparison
Comparison conjunctions help to establish correlations by providing context for comparison.
They include than, rather than, as much as, as..as, etc.
Than
Used to indicate a difference in degree or extent.
‘Than’ is used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
The movie was better than I expected.
She is taller than I am.
He is more intelligent than you are.
Rather than
Rather than is used for saying that one thing is preferred to another or happens instead of another.
Ex. He preferred to stay home rather than go to the party.
I would eat fruits rather than chocolates at the party.
He wanted to stay at home rather than go out.
As much as
‘As much as’ is used to show that the things mentioned in the sentence are the same in comparison.
I don’t earn as much as she does.
He likes chocolates as much as he likes ice cream.
I agreed to the point as much as you did.
as…as
‘As …as’ can function as both a subordinate conjunction and a Correlative conjunction, depending on the context. When used as a Subordinating conjunction, ‘as’ introduces a clause that provides additional information, often indicating comparison or manner. When ‘as… as’ appears in a pair to make a comparison, it functions as a Correlative conjunction.
Ex. She ran as fast as she could.
The cake is as delicious as it looks.
Subordinating conjunctions of place
Subordinating Conjunctions of place are used to link two or more clauses or phrases that refer to a location or position. They help to show the whereabouts of something.
Following are the Subordinating conjunctions of place:
Where, Wherever, Everywhere
Where
Where means ‘in the place that’ or ‘in situations that’
I know where he has gone.
She met me where we had dinner.
Where you see greenery, it rains heavily.
Wherever
Wherever is used to indicate that something happens or is true in any place or situation.
His dog follows him wherever he goes.
You can rest wherever you want.
This plant grows wherever there is a warm climate.
Everywhere
Everywhere as a conjunction of place is used with the same meaning as wherever.
Everywhere I visit, I discover something new.
You are free to go everywhere you want.
Subordinate conjunctions of manner
Subordinating conjunctions of manner indicate the way or method in which an action is performed in the main clause.
Following are the Subordinating conjunctions of manner: As if/ as though
Examples-
He acted as if he had won the lottery.
He talked as if he knew everything.
After working all night, she slept as though she were dead.
He acts as though he were the boss.
Comma placement and Subordinating conjunctions
Should we use a comma with subordinate conjunctions?
Actually, it depends on the placement of the subordinate clause.
1. Always use a comma right after the subordinate clause if it’s coming before the main clause.
If you write neatly, you will pass.
Since he lost his last job, he has not been employed.
2. Don’t use a comma if the subordinate clause is coming after the main clause.
You will pass if you write neatly,
He has not been employed since he lost his last job.
Conclusion:
I am sure now you guys are prepared to handle subordinating conjunctions(Conjunction and Examples-Part 2) and the probable queries that may come in your way. Mastering these conjunctions enhances your writing by making connections clear and logical. They also add variety to your language, making your speech or writing more engaging. In formal contexts, correct usage demonstrates professionalism and logical reasoning. In casual writing, they add flair and flow.
Feel free to correct any typing mistakes you come across.
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