What Is A Subordinating Conjunction?: Subordinating Conjunctions Showing Cause and Effect

What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?
Catherine Traffis
GRAMMAR
A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an

independent clause. This word or phrase indicates that a clause has informative value to
add to the sentence’s main idea, signaling a cause-and-effect relationship or a shift in
time and place between the two clauses.
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Sound complicated? Let’s break it down.
A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a clause with two specific
qualities. Firstly, it does not express a complete unit of thought on its own; it cannot stand
as its own sentence. Secondly, it depends upon an independent clause—one that can
stand on its own as a complete sentence—to form a complete idea. If independent and
dependent clauses could be likened to Batman and Robin, the dependent,
or subordinate clause would be Robin, Batman’s assistant. The independent, main clause
would be Batman, his superhero boss.
Subordinating Conjunctions Showing Cause and Effect
The subordinating conjunction that is simplest to explain is because. Because is a

conjunction with just one purpose: to show a cause-and-effect relationship between a
subordinate clause and a main clause. On its own, a clause beginning with because is
incomplete.
Because he wouldn’t wear a seat belt.
We have the sense that there is something missing here. Let’s add an independent clause
so this statement has something to lean on.
Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer.
Now we will combine the two in a complex sentence.
Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer because he wouldn’t wear a seatbelt.
In this sentence, “Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer” is an independent
clause. It could stand on its own as a complete sentence. A clause that shows a causal
relationship such as “because he wouldn’t wear a seatbelt” (answering the question
“Why?” or “For what purpose?” is often referred to as a clause of purpose.
Other subordinating conjunctions that can show cause-and-effect relationships and

function in the same way are for, as, since, therefore, hence, as a result,
consequently, though, due to, provided that, because of, unless, as a result
of, and so/so that.
Batman required strict compliance with seat belt rules, hence Robin was not allowed to ride in the
Batmobile.
Since Robin refused to wear his seat belt, Batman has banned him from the Batmobile.
Subordinating Conjunctions Signaling Relationships of

Time or Place
Another function of subordinating conjunctions is to show a relationship between two

clauses involving a transition of time or place. Some examples of such subordinating
conjunctions are once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after.
Once Batman learned that Robin had not been wearing his seatbelt, he took away his keys to the
Batmobile.
Robin looked regretfully at the Batmobile whenever he passed it in the Batcave.
After Batman was done working for the night, Robin took a secret ride in the Batmobile.
Before Robin gets his job in the Batcave back, he must promise to stop playing with the Batmobile.
Comma Placement and Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions that fall in the middle of a sentence are generally not
preceded by a comma. This is the opposite of what is done with coordinating
conjunctions, or words that join two independent clauses (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and
sometimes so).
When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, however, the whole clause (but not the
subordinating conjunction itself) is followed by a comma.
Whenever, Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile.
Whenever Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile.
Robin drove the Batmobile, whenever Batman was away.
Robin drove the Batmobile whenever Batman was away.
A Handy List of Subordinating Conjunctions
 After although as as if as long as as much as as soon as
 as though because before by the time even if even though
 if in order that in case in the event that lest now that once
 only only if provided that since so supposing that than
 though till unless until, when whenever where whereas wherever
 whether or not while

What Is A Subordinating Conjunction?: Subordinating Conjunctions Showing Cause and Effect

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What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an

Your writing, at its best

Sound complicated? Let’s break it down.

Subordinating Conjunctions Showing Cause and Effect

The subordinating conjunction that is simplest to explain is because. Because is a

Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer.

Now we will combine the two in a complex sentence.

Other subordinating conjunctions that can show cause-and-effect relationships and

Subordinating Conjunctions Signaling Relationships of

Another function of subordinating conjunctions is to show a relationship between two

Robin looked regretfully at the Batmobile whenever he passed it in the Batcave.

Whenever, Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile.

Whenever Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile.

Robin drove the Batmobile, whenever Batman was away.

Robin drove the Batmobile whenever Batman was away.

A Handy List of Subordinating Conjunctions

 After although as as if as long as as much as as soon as

 as though because before by the time even if even though

 only only if provided that since so supposing that than

 though till unless until, when whenever where whereas wherever

 whether or not while

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