Grammar
Subordinating conjunctions: show relationships between ideas
I took the bus because it was raining. Although it was raining, my neighbour walked. The weather is the same, but because gives a reason and although gives an unexpected contrast.
Connect a main clause and a dependent clause with common subordinating conjunctions to show reason, contrast, condition, time, or an exception.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Although the room was small, everyone could sit down. /ɔːlˈðəʊ ðə ruːm wəz smɔːl ˈevriwʌn kəd sɪt daʊn/
The short answer
Choose a subordinating conjunction that shows the relationship between your ideas, then join a dependent clause to a main clause. Use a comma when the dependent clause comes first: Because the roads were icy, we stayed at home. Usually do not use a comma when the main clause comes first: We stayed at home because the roads were icy.
Although the instructions were brief, everyone understood the task.
Why it works: Although introduces a dependent clause that contrasts with the main result. The opening dependent clause is followed by a comma.
6 more examples
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We left early because the roads were icy.
Because gives the reason for leaving early.
Not this:
Although the roads were icy, the bus arrived on time. What changes: Although shows that the on-time arrival was unexpected in those conditions. -
Although the room was small, everyone could sit down.
The small room might suggest a problem, but the main clause gives a different result.
Not this:The room was small,
so several people had to stand. What changes: So introduces the expected result of the small room rather than a contrast. -
If you finish the form today, I can send it tomorrow.
If gives the condition that must be met before the form can be sent.
Not this:I can send the form tomorrow
because you finished it today. What changes: Because gives a completed reason, while if presents a possible condition. -
When the train arrived, the passengers got off quickly.
When marks the point in time before the passengers got off.
Not this:
While the train was moving, the passengers stayed in their seats. What changes: While describes an action or state that continued over a period of time. -
Unless you save the document, your changes may be lost.
Unless means if you do not in this warning about a possible result.
Not this:
If you save the document, your changes will be kept. What changes: If states the positive condition directly. Unless states the negative exception. -
While I was cooking, my brother set the table.
While links two activities that happened during the same period.
Not this:
When I finished cooking, my brother set the table. What changes: When presents the table-setting as happening at a particular point after the cooking ended.
Read the full guide
First decide what link you need between the ideas. Are you giving a reason, describing a condition, marking a time, or showing a contrast? Then choose the conjunction and make sure the rest of its clause has a subject and verb. Move the dependent clause to the beginning when you want to lead with that relationship, and add a comma after it.
Build a main clause and a dependent clause
A main clause gives a complete idea and can stand by itself. A dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and needs a main clause to complete its meaning. Because the café was closed leaves the listener waiting for the result. We went somewhere else because the café was closed is complete.
The café was closed.
We went somewhere else because the café was closed.
The first sentence is a main clause. In the second, because the café was closed depends on the main clause for its full meaning.
Can because the café was closed stand alone as a complete sentence?
No. It is a dependent clause and needs a main clause to show the result.
Use because to give a reason
Use because when one clause explains why the other clause happens or is true. The reason can come after the main clause or before it. A comma is useful after an opening because clause, but it is not normally used before because when the reason comes second.
I called a taxi because the last bus had gone.
Because the last bus had gone, I called a taxi.
Both sentences give the same reason. The second begins with the reason, so it has a comma before the main clause.
Which conjunction gives the reason for an action?
Because. It answers why something happened.
Use although to show contrast
Use although when the dependent clause gives a fact that might make the main result surprising. Although it was late, we finished the report says that the late time did not stop the work. Do not use but in the same sentence after although: Although it was late, we finished the report.
Although the shop was busy, the assistant helped us quickly.
The assistant helped us quickly although the shop was busy.
The busy shop makes quick help less expected. Both clause orders are possible.
What should you avoid after an opening although clause when you are joining the same two ideas?
Avoid but. Although already marks the contrast.
Use if and unless for conditions
Use if for a possible condition and its result: If the weather improves, we will eat outside. Unless usually means if not: Unless the weather improves, we will eat inside. Both words help the listener see what must happen, or not happen, for the result to change.
If you need help, call the support desk.
You cannot enter unless you have a ticket.
If introduces a possible need. Unless gives the one condition that makes entry impossible.
Which word can often mean if not?
Unless. Unless you have a ticket means if you do not have a ticket.
Use when for a point in time
Use when to connect an event with the time another event happens. It can refer to the past, present, or future. When the alarm rang, I woke up places the alarm first. I woke up when the alarm rang puts the main event first. The clause order changes emphasis, not the basic time relationship.
When the manager returns, we can discuss the plan.
We can discuss the plan when the manager returns.
Both sentences connect the discussion with the manager's return. The first begins with the time condition.
Where do you put the comma when a when clause comes first?
Put it after the opening when clause, before the main clause.
Use while for an overlapping period
Use while when two activities happen during the same period, or when one longer situation forms the background for another action. While I was waiting, I read the agenda describes two actions that overlap. When is often better for a single point or event, while while suits a continuing period.
While the printer was restarting, we checked the paper copies.
The printer restarted when we checked the paper copies.
While shows an overlapping period. When presents the restart as an event at a particular time.
Which conjunction is useful for two actions happening over the same period?
While. It links activities that overlap in time.
Before you go
Remember this
Use a subordinating conjunction to make the relationship between two clauses clear. Because gives a reason, although gives contrast, if and unless give conditions, and when and while give time relationships. If the dependent clause comes first, place a comma before the main clause.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Subordinating conjunctions: show relationships between ideas"
What is a subordinating conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to a main clause and shows their relationship. Because gives a reason, although gives contrast, and if gives a condition. The dependent clause cannot usually stand alone, so add a main clause to complete the thought.
We left early because the roads were icy.
When do I use because and although?
Use because to explain why something happens: I called a taxi because the last bus had gone. Use although to show a fact that makes the main result surprising: Although the shop was busy, the assistant helped us quickly. Do not add but after although in the same sentence.
Although the roads were icy, the bus arrived on time.
What is the difference between if and unless?
If introduces a possible condition: If you need help, call the support desk. Unless often means if not: You cannot enter unless you have a ticket. Use unless when you want to name the negative exception that would prevent the main result.
Although the room was small, everyone could sit down.
What is the difference between when and while?
Use when for a particular point or event in time, and use while for an action or situation that continues over a period. While the printer was restarting, we checked paper copies describes overlap. When the manager returns, we can discuss the plan names a time for the discussion.
The room was small, so several people had to stand.
When do I use a comma with a subordinating conjunction?
Use a comma after an opening dependent clause: Because the last bus had gone, I called a taxi. When the main clause comes first, a comma is not usually needed before because, if, when, or although: I called a taxi because the last bus had gone.
If you finish the form today, I can send it tomorrow.