Unless, although, provided that, so that, when, as soon as, because, in order that, as, as if etc. are ranked as top 10 subordinating conjunctions in English grammar. Conjunctions of time, cause, condition, contrast, purpose, manner and comparison are the basic types of subordinating conjunctions. It is the most basic element of English grammar that binds the different statements together in a coherent whole to make it more clear and understandable. Through this article, I will make you known about top 10 subordinating conjunctions in English grammar.
Major types of subordinating conjunctions
On the basis of relations between depending clause and independent clause, the subordinating conjunctions are classified as below:
- Time: When, as soon as
- Cause: because
- condition: provided that, unless
- Contrast: although, even though, even if
- Purpose: in order that
- Manner: as if
- Comparison: as…as
Depending clause cannot stand as complete sentence. It has to relies on an independent clause to provide context and meaning. Subordinating conjunctions used to express different relations in the form of time, cause, contrast, condition, comparison, manner.
Major aspects of subordinating conjunctions
- When the plant starts wilting, I will water it. (Don’t use future helping verbs in when clause)
- Why do I water plant? Because, it is going to wilt or die down.
- When the plant start wilting becomes the contaxt or causal factor for independent clause: “I will water it.”
- Subordinating conjunctions ” When ” forms temporal relationship between two clauses.
- When we separate two clauses independently, the depending clause can not stand alone. While, the independent clause can hold meaning alone.
- But, when we connect both, the meaning will become more clear and coherent.
In short, subordinating conjunction is a tool to clarify relations between two parts of the sentence. It can connect only two parts of the sentence together and make a meaningful unit. Moreover, with this grammatical element, more complex sentences could be formed. Now, let’s learn how to use top 10 subordinating conjunctions in English grammar.
1. Subordinating conjunction of time: when, as soon as
There are various subordinating conjunctions of time are used to express different times like:
- To express previous time –Before
- To describe concurrent time — when, as soon as, once.
- To express subsequent time — After
- Conjunctions for Upto a certain time — Until, till
- To express Any time any where — whenever.
1. Use of “when” subordinating conjunction
When is used to refer a period of time. It connects two different actions in the same tense. Suppose, first action is in the present, then other shouldn’t be in the other then present. Future helping verbs are used in main clause. It is not used in depending clause.
To show time gap and sequence use past perfect and simple past. Past perfect is used in main clause, while simple past will introduce depending when clause.
- It was the time of tension and insecurity when the world divided into two poles.
- It was the time of tension and insecurity — main clause.(simple past)
- When the world divided into two parts –depending clause.(simple past)
- He used to visit national parks when he was in the Kenya.
- When we visited tribal regions, we worked for tribal cause.
- I will switch off all the switches when I finish my study.
In all the three examples, we could notice that when is generally used to show two incidents in the same time.
Use or ” When ” With minimum time gap in sequence
Apart from concurrent time, when is also used to show relations with minimum time gap in sequence.
- When they declared ceasefire, thousands of innocent people had already been killed.(Tense sequence: simple past + perfect past)
- Temperature will come down when you decrease carbon emission.
Use of as soon as subordinating conjunctions of time
As soon as” is the subordinating conjunctions of time used to express concurrent time. It is used to introduce dependent adverb clause of time.
- “As soon as” is used to connect two actions with minimum time gap in sequence.
- As soon as” is used before noun or pronoun to introduce clause.
- Future auxiliary verbs are absent in the dependent clause. Instead, present auxiliary verbs are preferred.
(As soon as + dependent clause + comma + main clause)
(Main clause + as soon as + dependent clause)
- As soon as we reach at the reservation centre, we will let you know about status. (for future sense)
- We will let you know the status as soon as we reach at the reservation centre.
- He started playing as soon as he declared fit.
- As soon as he came out of injury, he resumed playing.
Concurrent time with no sooner than
Like as soon as, “no sooner than” is a subordinating conjunctions of time, and used to introduce adverb clause of time.
- “No sooner than” is used before verbs and auxiliary verbs to introduce adverb clause of time.
- Here too, future auxiliary verbs are absent. Instead, present tense auxiliary verbs are preferred.
- No sooner than” is used to express two actions with negligible time gap in sequence.
(No sooner + auxiliary verb + dependent clause + than + main clause)
(No sooner + had/did + dependent clause + than + main clause)
- No sooner did the train arrive than I informed you. (No sooner than is hardly used in the middle of the sentence)
- No sooner had they entered in the forest than they heard a roar. (there is no question of comma in such sentences)
- No sooner did they enter in the forest than they heard a roar.
Transformation of as soon as to no sooner than
We can transform sentence begin with “when” Subordinating clause to “as soon as” and further “no sooner than.”
When + depending clause + comma + main clause.
As soon as + dependent clause + comma + main clause.
No sooner + auxiliary verb + dependent clause + than + main clause.
“No sooner than” is a negative form of “as soon as. Sentence structure need to be changed to form “No sooner than”
“When” conjunction is used as basic form to show relationship of two temporal events in the same time. Let’s see through examples.
- When we saw venomous snake, we ran away immediately.
- As soon as we saw venomous snake, We ran away.
- No sooner did we see venomous snake than we ran away.
3. Because: to build causal relationship
“Because” is a subordinating conjunction of cause. It is used for a strong cause. Apart from this, there is no strict time restrictions while using this conjunction on condition that they should not violate rules of logic. In short, tense consistency should be ensured.
- Trees shed leaves in summer because they conserve water. (Because they conserve water- depending clause)
- The crop is wilting because the region is under drought conditions.
- He failed in exam because he fell ill just before exam.
- She has opted to go by train because it is long journey.
“Because” Subordinating conjunction is not so complicated in use as like other: as soon as and no sooner than.
4. Subordinating conjunction for condition: provided that
This conjunction set a necessary condition for permission. Simply, one condition should be met for other to occur. Until first is incomplete, other is difficult to realize. But, it set the positive condition.
“Provided that” Subordinating conjunction builds conditional relationship between depending and main clause.
- We will grant permission for your project, provided that you make provision for water harvesting.
- Until you make provision for water harvesting, it is difficult for us to grant permission.
Other alternatives: providing that, on condition that etc. can be used instead of provided that.
- We can go out, provided that it stops raining.
It is placed between the two clauses but at the beginning of depending clause. It is advised to use comma immediately before provided that.
- I will come to party, provided that my bike is available.
5. Subordinating conjunction “unless”: if…not
Unless + restrictive clause + comma + main clause”.
It is used to a negative condition. On the other hand, “provided that” is used for positive condition. Though Both are conjunctions of condition but opposite to each other.
Unless” is used to express unmet restrictive conditiona, while until indicates something should be done before or upto a definite time.
Unless vs provided that: if…not Vs if
Provided that and on condition that are subordinating conjunctions of conditions. They are usually, used to express a condition in which one thing happens only when the other is completed.
- He can pass this exam provided that he executes his plan.
- He can’t pass his exam unless he executes his plan.
- My friend could start a business provided that he gets loan.
- My friend could not start a business unless he gets loan.
- You can’t open your bank account unless you submit your original documents. (Unmet restrictive condition)
- You can open your back account, provided that you submit your original documents.(positive condition)
6. subordinating conjunction so that and in order that
Both “so that” and “in order that” are subordinating conjunctions commonly used to express purposes. As per use, former one is a conjunction of purpose and is more common but less formal than later one.
- He exercises daily so that he could stay fit and healthy.
“In order that” is used for more firm and determined purpose. Apart from this, “so…that” correlative conjunction is also used to describe cause and effect relationship in regular expressions.
- He works very hard in order that he could offer better future for his family.
Unlike so that, in order that is commonly used at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. Hence, it is more formal than so that. So that is often placed in the middle of the sentence and followed by subject and verb.
- She maintains strict diet in order to stay slim and healthy.
- In order to improve my handwriting, I use fountain pen.
- I use fountain pen so that I improve my handwriting.
- She has decided to go by train so that she can take more luggage.
7. subordinating conjunctions even though
Even though + clause of contrast + comma + main clause
Main clause + even though + clause of contrast
The hidden meaning of these conjunctions is “In spite of” or “despite that”.
- Even though it was a drought resistance species, it failed to survive in the ongoing severity of heat wave.
- Even though global economy is slowing down rapidly, many countries are busy in imposing trade tariffs on imported goods.
Even though is used to describe real contrasting situation; whereas, even if is preferred to describe hypothetical situation which may not be true.
Even though and even if are subordinating conjunctions express strongest contrast compare to although and though.
It is used for greater or extreme contrast in the sentence. And, it is much more stronger compare to other subordinating conjunctions, such as, although and though.
8. Subordinating conjunction for comparison: as…as and no less than
“As…. as, no less than, than, are nothing but examples of conjunctions of comparison. They are used to show similarity between two different things.
In short, they are used to express comparison of equality between two dissimilar or similar things.
- Himalaya is as tall as Andes. (As..as) expresses equality)
- This cyclone is as lethal as earlier one.
“No less than” Is used to show that something is equally greater.
- Atlantic Ocean is no less useful than Pacific in terms of sea route.
Subordinating conjunctions of comparison help you link similar or different things to show relationship between two clauses.
9. Subordinating conjunctions for manner: as if (Comparing reality to imagination)
“As, so far as, according as, as if” are examples of conjunctions of manner. Among all, “as if” is a versatile conjunction that can be used to describe how an action is performed. For instance:
- She danced as if no one was watching her.
Here, “as if” introduces the manner in which the dancing is performed: as if no one was watching her.
- She is scolding at us as if she is our class teacher.
Last words on Top 10 subordinating conjunctions in English grammar,
Really, the pool of subordinating conjunctions is too vast to cover. And, it is hardly possible to go all out. Mastering selective much important is a compulsion. After all, daily practice of all the subordinating conjunctions looks too difficult if not impossible. Hence, my selective Top 10 subordinating conjunctions in English grammar will help you lot in learning process of subordinating conjunctions.