Some sentences are made up of two parts – a main (independent) clause and a subordinate (dependent) clause. However, these parts are not equal because the subordinate clause is always dependent on the main clause, so the subordinate clause cannot stand alone. You might then ask how you will know when a clause is subordinate. The answer is that a word known as a subordinating conjunction acts as a cue which helps you to identify a clause as subordinate.

Subordinating conjunctions connect those two unequal parts of a sentence – a main clause and a subordinate clause – and also show the relationship that exists between the two clauses. For instance, in the example below the subordinating conjunction after shows a chronological relationship between the two clauses.

Ex: James was exhausted after he took the final exams.

In the example above, the main clause (James was exhausted) is followed by the subordinate clause (after he took the final exams).

Below is a list of words that are commonly used as subordinating conjunctions:

Note that the list above does not contain all of the subordinating conjunctions that exist in the English language. It is only meant to show some of the most common examples.

Subordinate Clauses and Punctuation

When the subordinate clause precedes the main (independent) clause, it is also considered to be an introductory clause, so a comma must follow it. However, when a subordinate clause follows an independent clause, no punctuation is used between the two parts. Let’s look at some examples:

Subordinate Clause before Main (Independent) Clause

After we ate at the restaurant, we went shopping in the mall.
Because the children were tired, we decided to go to bed early.

Subordinate Clause after Main (Independent) Clause

We went shopping in the mall after we ate at the restaurant.
We decided to go to bed early because the children were tired.

Subordinate Clauses and Fragments

If a subordinating conjunction is used in front of an independent clause, that previously independent clause automatically becomes dependent and cannot function by itself. If the subordinate clause is used by itself, it will be considered a fragment. Below are examples that illustrate how independent clauses differ from dependent clauses and some situations where fragments occur. (The subordinating conjunctions used below appear in bold font.)

Dependent Clause: Since we went shopping. (fragment)
Independent Clause: We went shopping.

Dependent Clause: If we are able to go to Aruba this year. (fragment)
Independent Clause: We are able to go to Aruba this year.

Note that the two examples above that begin with subordinating conjunctions (since, if) are fragments – they cannot stand alone.

A subordinate clause is “a group of related words that contains a subject and a predicate and that begins with a word like because, which, or who. . . .The wording of the subordinate clause prohibits it from standing independently” (22).

Definition adapted from The Harbrace College Handbook (12^th ed.).

Along with our website, we recommend Grammar Bytes’ “Subordinate Clause” page at http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subordinateclause.htm.This page features an extensive explanation of subordinate clauses, and clicking on the “Home” link at the bottom of the page will take you to another page with links to terms, exercises, handouts, tips and rules.

Test your understanding of subordinate clauses and subordinating conjunctions by underlining the subordinating conjunction in each of the sentences below. Additionally, include commas where the subordinate clauses require them.

1. After he tore apart the sofa cushions, Scruffy decided to shred the curtains.

2. We decided to stay at home until the traffic subsided.

3. If the professor decides to dismiss class early the students will be ecstatic.

4. Although we were finished making the pies we still had to bake the turkey.

5. The concert was cancelled because of the snow storm.

Answers

1. After he tore apart the sofa cushions, Scruffy decided to shred the curtains.

2. We decided to stay at home until the traffic subsided.

3. If the professor decides to dismiss class early, the students will be ecstatic.

4. Although we were finished making the pies, we still had to bake the turkey.

5. The concert was cancelled because of the snow storm.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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