Subordinating Conjunctions
Identify the clause introduced by the subordinator, then locate the main clause it depends on. Keep subordinating conjunctions distinct from coordinating conjunctions and from movable linking adjuncts such as however or as a result.
A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause and makes that clause grammatically dependent on a main clause. Common examples include because, although, if, when, while, before, after, since, and unless; punctuation depends on the clause structure and order rather than on the conjunction alone.
Key details
Further guidance
Clause Order
A subordinate clause can often come before or after the main clause: “Although it rained, we walked” / “We walked although it rained.”
Identify
In “Because the road was closed, we turned back,” because introduces the subordinate clause “because the road was closed.”
Not Linking Adjuncts
Words and phrases such as however, therefore, and as a result may connect ideas in discourse, but they are not automatically subordinating conjunctions.
Punctuation
When an adverbial subordinate clause comes first, a comma is commonly used before the main clause; when it follows, punctuation depends on structure and meaning.
Worked Example
“I stayed because I was needed” contains a main clause plus a reason clause. “I was needed; therefore, I stayed” expresses a similar relation with a linking adjunct instead.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Conjunctions (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge shows that subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and lists common forms such as although, because, if, when, whereas, and while.
- Independent and Dependent Clauses (opens in a new tab)Purdue Online Writing Lab · Current writing guidance supports the dependency boundary needed to explain how subordinators introduce dependent clauses and affect sentence punctuation.