Some of the most commonly used subordinating conjunctions
Conjunction
In grammar, a conjunction (abbreviated CONJ or CNJ) is a part of speech that connects words, sentences, phrases, or clauses. A discourse connective is a conjunction joining sentences. This definition may overlap with that of other parts of speech, so what constitutes a "conjunction" must be defined for each language.
Is so a coordinating conjunction?
The conjunctions used to join independent clauses in compound sentences are coordinating conjunctions. The most common coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. The subordinating conjunction because is used to introduce an adverbial clause of cause or reason.
What is an alternative for 'so' as a conjunction?
- The supply was running low; therefore more had to be ordered
- The supply was running low; consequently, more had to be ordered
- The supply was running low; thus more had to be ordered
Is suddenly a subordinate conjunction?
“Suddenly” is an adverb that works similarly with “immediately” which can be used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In particular, “suddenly” is used to denote an occurrence of an activity or event that happens quickly and unexpectedly. She suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Is “so” conjunctive adverb?
When used as an adverb, so is followed by an adjective or another adverb. Why are you so unkind? She was so angry. He was so ill that we had to hospitalize him. This structure is used in short answers. ‘ I’m so hungry.’ ‘So am I. ’ (Both speakers are hungry.)
Is so that subordinate conjunction?
Some common subordinating conjunctions are after, although, as, as if, as long as, because, before, despite, even if, even though, if, in order that, rather than, since, so that, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, whether, and while.
Is so a subordinate clause?
Here's what we have so far: Purpose-“so” is a subordinating conjunction, and can be thought of as a “so that” with the word “that” omitted. The clause it introduces can come before or after the main clause in a sentence.
Can so be a conjunction?
So is one of seven coordinating conjunctions represented by the mnemonic FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. When these coordinating conjunctions connect two independent clauses, the conjunction is always preceded by a comma. The grocery store was out of tomatoes, so I borrowed some from my neighbor.
Can so be a coordinating conjunction?
There are seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
What type of conjunction is so?
A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two elements of equal grammatical rank and syntactic importance. They can join two verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.
Is so a coordinator or Subordinator?
Coordinators are words such as "and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", and "so", while subordinators are words such as "because", "when", "if" and so on. A coordinator connects two independent sentence which carries equal weight, while a subordinator connects a dependent clause and an independent clause.
Is so a preposition or conjunction?
As detailed above, 'so' can be a conjunction, an adjective, an interjection, a noun, an abbreviation or an adverb. Conjunction usage: Eat your broccoli so you can have dessert. Adjective usage: That is so.
Can so be a preposition?
(So is a preposition complemented by that + clause.) The baby pulled the lever so he could get some candy. When the meaning of so is result, separate the clauses with a comma. (So is coordinates two clauses.)
How do you use so as conjunction?
So as a conjunction We use so as a subordinating conjunction to introduce clauses of result or decision: I got here late. It was a long journey, so I'm really tired now. You are right, of course, so I think we will accept what the bank offers.
What are the 7 subordinating conjunctions?
The seven major types of subordinating conjunctions include comparison, concession, condition, time, place, manner, and reason.
Is so an adverb?
In English, the word so is highly polysemous. It can be used as an adverb, a conjunction, a pronoun, an interjection, or an adjective.
What is a list of subordinating conjunctions?
The most common subordinate conjunctions in the English language include: than, rather than, whether, as much as, whereas, that, whatever, which, whichever, after, as soon as, as long as, before, by the time, now that, once, since, till, until, when, whenever, while, though, although, even though, who, whoever, whom, ...
What is the difference between subordinating and coordinating conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions connect independent and dependent clauses to form complex sentences. Meanwhile, coordinating conjunctions connect indepe...
Can we use subordinating conjunctions at the beginning of the sentence?
Subordinating conjunctions can be used at the beginning of the sentence in a reverse sentence structure. Doing so shifts the emphasis from the main...
How can we remember subordinating conjunctions?
The easiest way to remember subordinating conjunctions is to think that they are neither of the FANBOYS nor the conjunctions that work in pairs. Th...
What is the conjunction for "no cats got into the empty box"?
Another subordinating conjunction is “in order that,” which we were just talking about a minute ago.
What does the clause "so" mean in a sentence?
The clause that begins with “so” expresses Kim’s purpose: Kim didn’t want any cats to get into the empty box. Notice that you can replace “so” with the somewhat stuffier phrase “in order that,” and the sentence means the same thing: “Kim put a pillow on top of the empty box, in order that no cats would get into it.”.
What is an adverb clause?
Adverb clauses are a kind of clause known as a subordinate clause, and subordinate clauses always begin with a subordinating conjunction. One of the best-known subordinating conjunctions is “ because ,” so let’s see how this flexible ordering works with a “because” clause. The sentence “No cats got into the empty box, ...
What is the ability to come before or after a sentence?
This ability to come before or after a sentence’s main clause is a dead giveaway that we’re dealing with an adverb clause. An adverb clause is a clause that explains when, where, how, or why the action of the main clause happens. Adverb clauses are a kind of clause known as a subordinate clause, and subordinate clauses always begin ...
Is "so no cats would get into it" an adverb?
The fact that the clause “ so no cats would get into it” is also able to come at the beginning of a sentence is evidence that it, too, is an adverb clause, and that purpose-“so” is a subordinating conjunction.
Is "so" a subordinating conjunction?
Another reason to believe that purpose-“so” is a subordinating conjunction is that it can be replaced by “ so that ,” which is definitely a subordinating conjunction. We know this the same way as we do for “because” and “in order that”: We can put a “so that” clause before or after the main clause. We can say either “Kim put a pillow on top ...
What is a subordinating conjunction?
Catherine Traffis. Grammar. A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause. This word or phrase indicates that a clause has informative value to add to the sentence’s main idea, signaling a cause-and-effect relationship or a shift in time and place between the two clauses.
When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, the whole clause (but not the subordinating conjunction itself
When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, however, the whole clause (but not the subordinating conjunction itself) is followed by a comma. Whenever, Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile. Whenever Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile. Robin drove the Batmobile, whenever Batman was away. Robin drove the Batmobile whenever Batman was ...
What is dependent clause?
Let’s break it down. A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a clause with two specific qualities. Firstly, it does not express a complete unit of thought on its own; it cannot stand as its own sentence.
What is the meaning of "because" in a sentence?
Because is a conjunction with just one purpose: to show a cause-and-effect relationship between a subordinate clause and a main clause. On its own, a clause beginning with because is incomplete. Because he wouldn’t wear a seat belt.
Is there a comma in a conjunction?
Comma Placement and Subordinating Conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions that fall in the middle of a sentence are generally not preceded by a comma. This is the opposite of what is done with coordinating conjunctions, or words that join two independent clauses ( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and sometimes so ).
What is a conjunction in a sentence?
Richard Nordquist. Updated January 21, 2020. A conjunction is a connecting word or phrase; a subordinating conjunction is a connecting word or phrase that introduces a dependent clause and joins it to a main clause or independent clause. Similarly, a coordinating conjunction sets up an equal partnership between the two clauses.
What are the categories of conjunctions?
Semantic Categories of Subordinating Conjunctions. As demonstrated, conjunctions can bring different layers of meaning to writing by building relationships between clauses. There are six main classes of conjunctions, categorized by meaning: time, concession, comparison, cause, condition, and place.
How to construct a subordinate clause?
Constructing a subordinate clause is as simple as attaching a subordinating conjunction to the beginning of a dependent clause. Then, decide which clause—main or subordinate—you want to come first. See the following example. "They'll have a picnic on Saturday," an independent clause, can be modified by the dependent clause "it rains" using ...
What is a concession conjunction?
Concession. Concession conjunctions help to redefine the main clause by providing additional context regarding conditions of delivery. Concession conjunctions highlight an action that took place in spite of an obstacle or hindrance and they include although, as though, and even though.
What happens if a sentence begins with a conjunction followed by a dependent clause?
If the sentence instead begins with the conjunction followed by a dependent clause, then a supporting main clause must follow. The meaning of both sentences is technically the same, but in this case, slightly more emphasis is shifted onto whichever clause that comes first.
What is a time related conjunction?
These include after, as soon as, as long as, before, once, still, until, when, whenever, and while. For example, "I will do the dishes after everyone has gone home" might be stated by a hostess who prefers to enjoy her guests' company while they are there.
Does the order of a subordinating conjunction matter?
In most sentences, as long as the subordinating conjunction precedes the dependent clause, clause order does not matter. Subordinating conjunctions are also known as subordinators, subordinate conjunctions, and complementizers. Many subordinators are single words such as because, before, and when, but some subordinating conjunctions consist ...
What is a Subordinating Conjunction?
Subordinating conjunctions are parts of speech that join dependent clauses to independent clauses. Sometimes referred to as subordinators or subordinate conjunctions, these important words and phrases may also introduce adverb clauses.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
In the following examples, the subordinating conjunctions are in bold for easy identification:
Subordinating Conjunction Exercises
The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how subordinating conjunctions work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
Subordinating Conjunctions List
There are many subordinating conjunctions. This list contains 25 of those most commonly used.
Subordinating Conjunctions: Information Provided
As we mentioned, a subordinating conjunction signals a dependent clause that modifies a sentence with information such as manner, place, time, contrast, cause, or a condition. Let’s look at examples of such subordinating conjunctions in action.
Subordinating Conjunctions: Omissions
In some cases, the subordinating conjunction might be omitted as understood in a sentence: e.g., I know someday I will build a sandbox for my kids.
Pop Quiz
Identify any subordinating conjunctions that appear in the following sentences.
What does "coordinate" mean in a sentence?
To coordinate is to bring things into balance or equality. To subordinate is to make less important. When we use coordinating conjunctions to combine independent clauses in a sentence, each clause is equal in importance: Helena vacuumed the hedgehog, and Taylor polished the artichoke.
Can independent clauses stand alone?
Only independent clauses can stand alone. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, which connect independent clauses in a balanced, coordinated way, subordinating conjunctions attach themselves to a clause and subordinate it to the rest of the sentence.
Is the artichoke a dependent clause?
In the second sentence, however, the subordinating conjunction becomes part of the second clause, creating a dependent (or subordinate) clause.
How to Construct A Subordinate Clause
Semantic Categories of Subordinating Conjunctions
- As demonstrated, conjunctions can bring different layers of meaning to writing by building relationships between clauses. There are six main classes of conjunctions, categorized by meaning: time, concession, comparison, cause, condition, and place.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
- Subordinating conjunctions are not hard to find when you know where to look for them. Use these quotes to get started. 1. "Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character." -Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice 2. "I am always doing that …
Practice Exercises
- The following pairs of sentences can be combined into one complex unit using subordinating conjunctions. Try adding various conjunctions and conjunctive phrases to join the sentences until you find the best fit. Remember: for most sentences, sentence order does not matter (as long as the subordinating conjunction precedes the dependent clause). 1. I will help the man. He deserv…
Sources
- Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Thomas Egerton, 1813.
- Wilde, Oscar. "The Importance of Being Earnest." Dover Publications, 1895.