The most common subordinators are:
|
although, even though, because, since*, so that, when, while, before*, after*, whenever, wherever, anywhere, if, unless, whether [or not] as, as [adjective] as, whereas |
(to show slight contrast) (to give reasons) (to indicate time relationships) (to indicate place) (to indicate conditions) (to give comparisons) (to show major contrast) |
*These words can also be used as prepositions.
Subordinators have an interesting effect on words in a sentence. A clause (S +V) without a subordinator can stand alone as a complete statement.
|
I went to the store yesterday. |
(Complete statement) |
However, when a subordinator is added, the statement seems incomplete.
|
When I went to the store yesterday, . . . |
(Well, what happened?) |
The subordinating clause becomes dependent on something else to complete its meaning:
|
When I went to the store yesterday, I saw an old friend. |
(Idea is complete) |
Subordinating or “dependent” clauses can occur at the beginning or end of a sentence. When used at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is necessary after the clause itself.
S + V although S + V
Although S + V , S + V
In English, the subordinator always comes before the subject and verb in a clause.
|
I went to the grocery store after, I stopped at the bank. After I went to the grocery store, I stopped at the bank. |
(Incorrect) (Correct) |
Subordinators and coordinators should not be used in the same sentence to introduce clauses. Choose one or the other, but do not use both together.
|
Although Nina won the prize, but she was not happy. Although Nina won the prize, she was not happy. Nina won the prize, but she was not happy. |
(Wrong) (Correct) (Also correct) |
See also:
The Main Clause (from Grammar Bytes)
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