A subordinating conjunction, sometimes called a dependent word or subordinator, always introduces a dependent clause. This establishes the relationship between the dependent clause and the rest of the sentence.The sentence with a subordinating conjunction could be expressed in the following two ways:
1. Subordinate Conjunction + Dependent Clause + comma + Independent Clause
After she had learned to drive, Alice felt happier.
2. Independent Clause + Subordinate Conjunction + Dependent Clause
Alice felt happier after she had learned to drive.
Opposition Subordinating Conjunctions: Although, Despite, Even Though
Although (aunque ) is used before a subject + verb
Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday
I didn’t get the job although I had all the necessary qualifications
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Despite (a pesar de ) is used before a noun or pronoun (this, that, what)
Despite the rain, we enjoyed our holiday
I didn’t get the job despite the fact (that) I had all the necessary qualifications
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Even though( aunque ) is a stronger form of although
It is also used before a subject + verb
Even though I was really tired, I couldn’t sleep
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We use for + a period of time to say how long something continues
We are going on holiday for three weeks
Maria watched television for four hours last night
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We use during + noun to say when something happens
I fell asleep during the film Titanic
We met a lot of customers(X) during the conference
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We use while + subject + verb to say when something happens
I fell asleep while I was watching the football match
We met a lot of customers while we were walking around the conference hall
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Apart from using since (desde ) as a preposition, it can be used as a time conjunction
I’ve known him since I was at university
You’re better since your operation
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We use because before a subject + verb to explain the cause of something
We were late because it rained
I’m happy because I met you
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Because of (por) or due to( a causa de ) also explain the cause of something and have the same meaning. They are both used before a noun or pronoun
We were late due to the rain
I’m happy because of you
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Conditional Subordinating Conjunctions: Unless, Whether… Or, In Case, If
Can You Pass The Conjunction Test ?
Choose the correct coordinating conjunction from the two options for the five sentences below.
1. She passed the exam, ________ she didn’t do any revision. (although, despite)
2. Charles went shopping, ________ Henry did the housework (during, while)
3. Anthony’s sister has been working in Dublin _______the last six years. (for, since)
4. They go to Spain ______ the nightlife. (because, because of)
5. He’ll go to work at the weekend ______ his boss phones him. (unless, in case)
Unless(a no ser que ) has a similar meaning to if not, in the sense of except if
I’ll come tomorrow unless you phone (or I’ll come tomorrow if you don’t phone) |
Whether… or (tanto si... como...) is used as a double conjunction, with a similar meaning to It doesn’t matter whether… or
Whether we go by car or train, it’ll take at least(por lo menos) five hours
The price for the room is the same, whether we leave on Tuesday or Wednesday |
In British English, we use in case and if in different ways
Let’s buy a bottle of wine in case
(In other words, we should buy some wine now because it is possible that
Let’s buy a bottle of wine if
(In other words, we won’t buy any now. If |
Can You Pass The Conjunction Test ?
Choose the correct coordinating conjunction from the two options for the five sentences below.
1. She passed the exam, ________ she didn’t do any revision. (although, despite)
2. Charles went shopping, ________ Henry did the housework (during, while)
3. Anthony’s sister has been working in Dublin _______the last six years. (for, since)
4. They go to Spain ______ the nightlife. (because, because of)
5. He’ll go to work at the weekend ______ his boss phones him. (unless, in case)
Answers in the comments.
1 comment:
1. although
2. while
3. for
4. because of
5. unless
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