What Are Subordinating Conjunctions and How Do They Work?

TL;DR

Subordinating conjunctions, such as 'although' and 'because', connect independent clauses to dependent clauses, providing additional context. Unlike coordinating conjunctions that join only independent clauses, subordinating conjunctions provide extra information that enhances the meaning of a sentence, with dependent clauses requiring an independent clause to form a complete thought.

Transcript

• [Voiceover] Hey, grammarians. Today let's start talking about subordinating conjunctions. Words like, although and after and because. It's a pretty complicated topic, because in order to understand subordinating conjunctions, you have to understand the difference between an independent, and a dependent clause. Because that's what subordinating co... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔑 Subordinating conjunctions are words like "although," "because," and "since" that unite independent and dependent clauses.
• ❓ Understanding the difference between independent and dependent clauses is crucial in comprehending subordinating conjunctions.
• 🇦🇪 Coordinating conjunctions only unite independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions unite both.
• 💁 Dependent clauses provide additional information that is not crucial to the understanding of the sentence.
• ❓ Subordinating conjunctions can also be recognized as adverbs or prepositions in other contexts.
• ❓ English grammar is complex, but with determination, it can be mastered.
• 😒 The ability to identify and use subordinating conjunctions expands one's writing and communication skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a clause?

A clause is a language chunk with a subject and a verb. Not all clauses are sentences, as some may lack the ability to stand alone.

Q: What is the purpose of a subordinating conjunction?

Subordinating conjunctions unite independent and dependent clauses. They provide additional context and understanding to the sentence.

Q: How can you identify a dependent clause?

A dependent clause can be identified when it prompts the question, "Yeah, so what?" It leans against an independent clause, like a ladder against a tree.

Q: Can coordinating conjunctions be separated into two sentences?

Yes, coordinating conjunctions like "but" can separate two independent clauses into separate sentences. However, subordinating conjunctions cannot be split.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Subordinating conjunctions unite independent and dependent clauses.

• Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences, while dependent clauses provide extra information.

• Coordinating conjunctions only unite independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions can unite both.