Subordinators

1. Definition
Subordinator (or subordinating conjunction) is a word or phrase that links a
dependent clause to an independent clause.
They must come at the beginning of a dependent clause.
Subordinators help lend meaning to a sentence by linking two clauses.
Time, concession, comparison, cause, condition, and place are the types of
subordinating conjunctions, categorized by meaning.
In most sentences, as long as the subordinating conjunction precedes the
dependent clause, clause order does not matter.
Many subordinators are single words such as because, before, and when, but
some subordinating conjunctions consist of more than one word such as even
though, as long as, and except that.
2. Classification
There are six main classes of conjunctions, categorized by meaning: time,
concession, comparison, cause, condition, and place.
2.1 Time
- Establish a period when the main clause will be or was performed. These
include after, as soon as, as long as, before, once, still, until, when,
whenever, and while.
- Ex: “I will do the dishes after everyone has gone home”
2.2 Concession
- Concession conjunctions highlight an action that took place in spite of an
obstacle or hindrance and they include although, as though, and even
though.
- Ex: “Peter went to school although he was sick”
2.3 Comparison
- help to establish correlations by providing context for comparison
- which include just as, though, whereas, in contrast to, and while.
- Ex: “We thought she wasn’t pretty, whereas in fact she was gorgeous”
2.4 Cause
- Clarify the reason(s) that the activities of a main clause were performed
and are commonly engineered using as, because, in order that, since,
and so that.
- Ex: “Grant dreamed about cheese because he had eaten so much of it the
night before"
2.5 Condition
- Introduce rules under which a main clause performs. These are indicated
by even if, if, in case, provided that, and unless.
- Ex: “If he's going to be there, I'm not going to the party”
2.6 Place
- Determine where activities might occur, include where, wherever, and
whereas.
- Ex: “I will place my conjunction in the sentence wherever I please”
Exercises: Find suitable subordinators for the sentences below
She has decided to move to Ha Noi ___________ there are more
opportunities for employment in that city.
(Because)
___________ he can save a lot of money by taking the bus, Russ still
drives his car into the city every day.
(Although)
They’ll have a good rice harvest this year _____________ it rains a
lot and prevents them from harvesting their crops.
(Unless)
You can borrow my car _____________ you agree to be very careful
with it.
(As long as)
Our neighbor is going to buy a gun __________ she can protect
herself from intruders who break into her apartment.
(So that)
My daughter can’t wait _____________ she gets her new bike.
(Until)