Subordinate Conjunctions and Sentence Structure Quiz

Subordinate Conjunctions: Understanding Sentence Structure and Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate conjunctions are words or phrases that connect a main clause with a subordinate clause, creating a complex sentence. The main clause is an independent clause that can stand alone as a sentence, while the subordinate clause, which begins with a subordinating conjunction, is dependent on the main clause and cannot stand alone on its own. These conjunctions are essential in academic writing, allowing for the creation of more sophisticated connections between ideas.

Sentence Structure

A complex sentence consists of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The main clause typically comes first and includes a subject and a verb, forming a complete sentence on its own. The subordinate clause follows the main clause and begins with a subordinating conjunction such as "because," "as," or "though." The subordinate clause also has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence.

The subordinate clause can go either before or after the main clause, and the main clause is typically followed by a comma to separate it from the subordinate clause. If the subordinate clause comes first, no comma is used after it.

Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses are used to provide additional information about the main clause, giving more context or explaining the reason for the main clause. They can be used to express conditions, reasons, time, and other relationships. Some common examples of subordinate clauses include:

• "because" + subordinate clause: The reason for the main clause

  • "I am late because of traffic."

• "if" + subordinate clause: A condition that may or may not be true

  • "If it rains, we will stay inside."

• "while" + subordinate clause: A contrast between two actions or conditions

  • "I was working while she was sleeping."

• "although" + subordinate clause: A contrast between what is expected and what actually happened

  • "Although I wanted to go out, I had to stay at home."

• "since" + subordinate clause: A cause and effect relationship

  • "I have been feeling better since I started taking the medication."

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

Some common subordinating conjunctions in English include:

• after
• although
• as
• because
• before
• even though
• if
• once
• since
• so long as
• though
• unless
• until
• when
• whenever
• whereas
• wherever
• while

Adverbs, such as "however" and "nevertheless," can also be used to connect ideas in academic writing.

Complex Sentences vs. Compound Sentences

Complex sentences are more common in academic writing than compound sentences. Compound sentences join two independent clauses using coordinating conjunctions, while complex sentences combine an independent clause with one or more subordinate clauses using subordinating conjunctions. Complex sentences allow for more sophisticated connections between ideas and can be more effective in expressing complex relationships.

In conclusion, subordinate conjunctions play a significant role in sentence structure by connecting a main clause with a subordinate clause, creating complex sentences that allow for more sophisticated connections between ideas. Understanding the use of subordinate conjunctions is crucial for effective writing in academic and professional contexts.