Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are primarily used to create complex sentences. 

What is a complex sentence?

A complex sentence is a type of sentence that consists of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb portraying a complete thought. On the other hand, a dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but doesn't give a complete thought and is marked by a dependent marker word—also known as subordinating conjunctions.

That is one of subordinating conjunctions' functions. 1.) They introduce the dependent clauses, telling that this clause is less important than the main clause, which is the independent clause. Another function is 2.) They tell what the dependent clause's relationship to the main clause is, whether it is an effect, a reason, a cause, a condition, or a comparison.

Here is a table of the most commonly used subordinating conjunctions.

Cause The subordinating conjunctions, since, as, and because are used to introduce a clause as a cause. examples: "You passed the exam since you studied hard last night." It can be written in reverse too, like: "Since you studied hard last night, you passed the exam." *Locating the independent and dependent clauses "You passed the exam..." - Independent Clause -> It can exist as a simple sentence because it contains a subject and a verb, and it portrays a complete thought without the dependent clause. "... since you studied hard last night." - Dependent Clause -> It is dependent on the independent clause. Hence cannot stand alone on its own. And the dependent marker word, since can be noticed. It introduces the clause, telling the reader that this is the reason why the subject (you) passed the exam. because and as can also be used instead of since. examples: "You passed the exam because you studied hard last night." or "Because you studied hard last night, you passed the exam." "You passed the exam as you studied hard last night."  or "As you studied hard last night, you passed the exam." Comparison and Contrast SIMILARITIES The subordinating conjunction "as" is used, to introduce a clause as something similar to the independent clause, or something that is expected. examples: "Today's classes have been postponed, as we thought they would." "She will join the competition, as you advised she should." Commas can be removed too, and they will still be correct. But they are better off with commas. Either way is fine. The same thing that was done in the examples earlier, the dependent and independent clauses can be interchanged. "As you advised she should, she will join the competition." "As we thought they would, today's classes have been postponed." CONTRASTS The subordinating conjunctions, though, whereas, while, although, and even though are used to introduce the clauses as the opposite of the independent clauses. examples: "The ice cream was superb, although I didn't get to enjoy it because of my toothache." "I watched the movie, though I was told it wasn't really good." "Other students don't complete their sleep just to pass the exam while you are roaming around enjoying yourself." "I don't enjoy music, whereas I could spend hours watching movies." "I am tall even though my parents are short." Condition The subordinating conjunctions, as long as, in case, even if, if, providing that, and providing are used to introduce a clause as a condition for the independent clause. examples: "I'll go with you if you buy me ice cream." "...if you buy me ice cream." - the dependent clause introduced by the conjunction "if" as a condition. The independent clause "I'll go with you..."  will only happen if the condition is met. The conjunction "if" is the most common in terms of expressing conditions. Conjunctions having the same meaning as the conjunction if are: as long as, provided that, provided, and providing. Although their meaning is similar to if, these conjunctions are generally better because they give more emphasis to the conditions given. examples: "I'll go with you as long as you buy me ice cream." "I'll go with you provided that you buy me ice cream." "I'll go with you provided you buy me ice cream." "I'll go with you providing you buy me ice cream." On the other hand, the subordinating conjunction, in case, is used to introduce the clause as a possible event. Its independent clause, therefore, can be used as a precaution. examples: "I'll bring my raincoat just in case it rains." "Can you text me the things to buy in case I lose my list?" even if is used to tell that the clause is not important because the independent clause will happen or be done anyway. examples: "I will buy that car even if you scold me." Meaning: Scold me, I don't care. I'll still buy that car. "She will leave me even if I give her everything." Meaning: I'll give her everything, but she will still leave me. Place Subordinating conjunctions where and wherever are used whenever the dependent clause is anything related to a place. It is important to note that the two are not interchangeable. where is used if the place talked about is somewhat specific, while wherever is used if any place is meant. examples: "They live in a place where there are no huge buildings." Meaning: They live in a place that has no huge buildings. "She goes to a college where all students are required to join academic clubs." Meaning: She studies in a college that requires all students to join academic clubs. "I want to live wherever autumn is there." Meaning: I want to live in any place as long as autumn is present. Reason To introduce a clause as a reason, the subordinating conjunctions, in order that, so that, and so are used. examples: "She asked for your notes so she could copy them." (informal) "She asked for your notes so that she could copy them." (neutral) "She asked for your notes in order that she could copy them." (formal) Meaning: She wants to copy your notes, that's why she asked for them. Time 1. Previously before before is used to introduce the clause as the second event after the independent clause. example: "I often have coffee before taking a bath." Meaning: I have coffee first, then take a bath after. 2. Concurrently when when is used to emphasize two actions happening at the same time. example: "We were laughing when someone knocked on the door." Meaning: Someone knocked on the door while we were laughing. 3. Subsequently after after is used to introduce that the clause is the first event. example: "I take a bath after having coffee." Meaning: I have coffee first, then I take a bath second. 4. Up to a certain time until until is used to introduce the clause as the event that stopped the first event. example: "I was eating ice cream until my stomach ached." Meaning: I stopped eating ice cream when my stomach started aching. 5. Any time or every time whenever whenever is used to introduce that the clauses happen together every time or any time. example: "I get nervous whenever my English teacher comes in." Meaning: Every time my English teacher comes in, I get nervous. So these two events happen at the same time.