key term - Subordinating conjunction

Definition

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, establishing a relationship between them. It indicates that the clause it introduces cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and often provides information about time, cause, condition, or contrast.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Common subordinating conjunctions include 'although,' 'because,' 'since,' 'unless,' and 'while,' each serving to clarify the relationship between the clauses.
2. Subordinating conjunctions create complex sentences, which contain at least one independent clause and one dependent clause, enriching the complexity of writing.
3. The placement of the dependent clause in relation to the independent clause can change the emphasis in a sentence. For example, 'Because it was raining, we stayed indoors' vs. 'We stayed indoors because it was raining.'
4. Subordinating conjunctions are essential for expressing time relationships, as they can indicate when an action takes place relative to another action.
5. Using subordinating conjunctions effectively can improve coherence and cohesion in writing, helping to guide readers through the writer's ideas.

Review Questions

• How do subordinating conjunctions affect the structure of sentences?
  • Subordinating conjunctions affect sentence structure by linking dependent clauses to independent clauses, which creates complex sentences. This relationship allows the dependent clause to provide additional context or details that support the main idea expressed in the independent clause. For example, in the sentence 'Although she was tired, she finished her homework,' the subordinating conjunction 'although' indicates that her tiredness is relevant to her action of finishing homework.
• Discuss how the use of subordinating conjunctions contributes to the clarity and complexity of writing.
  • The use of subordinating conjunctions adds clarity and complexity to writing by allowing writers to express relationships between ideas. By combining independent and dependent clauses, writers can convey nuanced meanings and show how different ideas are interconnected. For instance, using a subordinating conjunction like 'because' can explain reasons behind actions, making arguments more persuasive. This complexity enhances reader engagement and comprehension by providing richer context.
• Evaluate the impact of using subordinating conjunctions on effective communication in written language.
  • Using subordinating conjunctions is crucial for effective communication in written language as they help convey relationships between thoughts clearly and precisely. By structuring sentences with these conjunctions, writers can indicate cause and effect, contrast, or conditions that enhance their message. This not only aids understanding but also allows for more sophisticated expression of ideas. A lack of subordinating conjunctions may lead to overly simplistic sentences that fail to communicate deeper meanings or connections between concepts.

Related terms

independent clause:

A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and a predicate.

dependent clause: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it is dependent on an independent clause for its meaning.

coordinating conjunction: A conjunction that connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank, such as 'and,' 'but,' and 'or.' Unlike subordinating conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions connect elements that can stand alone.