A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause and connects it to a main clause. In We stayed inside because it was raining, because is the subordinating conjunction: it turns it was raining into a clause that cannot stand alone, and it tells the reader how the two ideas relate (cause). Other examples: Call me when you arrive. Although it was late, she kept working. You can come if you finish your homework.
Below you will find a list of subordinating conjunctions grouped by meaning, the difference between subordinating conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS), and conjunctive adverbs like however, the comma rules, and 30 exercises with answers.
Subordinating Conjunctions Quiz: 30 Questions
Warm-up · spot and choose the conjunction
Core · conjunctions vs adverbs vs prepositions
Challenge · meaning and punctuation traps
Answer key and explanationsOpen after you finish the quiz.
- 1. becauseBecause introduces a dependent clause (because it was late) that cannot stand alone. But, or, and and are coordinating conjunctions: they join elements of equal rank, such as two independent clauses.
- 2. untilUntil introduces the dependent clause until the storm passed and shows a time limit. Stayed and passed are verbs, and inside is an adverb here.
- 3. yetFANBOYS stands for for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, and yet is on that list. Although, unless, and whereas are subordinating conjunctions that introduce dependent clauses.
- 4. beforeBefore shows the order of two actions in time: first turn off the lights, then leave. Although and whereas show contrast, and unless (if not) would change the meaning entirely.
- 5. as long asAs long as means on condition that: returning the car by six is the condition for borrowing it. Although and whereas express contrast, and than is used in comparisons.
- 6. AlthoughPlaying like a professional is surprising for a sixteen-year-old, so the clauses contrast and although fits. Because would make his age the reason for his skill, which is illogical here.
- 7. so thatSo that introduces a purpose: the reason for saving was to make travel possible. It is often followed by can, could, or would.
- 8. becauseThe rain is the reason for cancelling, so because is correct. Although would mean the rain was not a reason, and unless and whereas do not express cause.
- 9. whereWhere introduces an adverb clause of place: sit in a position from which you can see. Wherever would also show place, but where is the only place word among the options.
- 10. although, unless, whereasAlthough, unless, and whereas all introduce dependent clauses. For, and, and nor are coordinating conjunctions; however, therefore, and thus are conjunctive adverbs; with, by, and from are prepositions.
- 11. It was late; however, we kept working.However is a conjunctive adverb: both clauses stay independent, so they need a semicolon or full stop between them. Although, because, and until are subordinating conjunctions that make their clauses dependent.
- 12. Unless you call, I'll assume you're coming.When the dependent clause comes first, a comma goes at the end of it, right before the main clause. No comma goes after the conjunction itself, and a semicolon cannot separate a dependent clause from its main clause.
- 13. It rained; however, we went out.However is not a conjunction, so it cannot join two independent clauses with just a comma. Use a semicolon (or full stop) before it and a comma after it: It rained; however, we went out.
- 14. Call me before you leave.Before is a conjunction only when a clause (subject + verb) follows it: before you leave. Before dinner and before me are prepositional phrases, and in I've seen this film before, it is an adverb.
- 15. I haven't eaten since breakfast.Since breakfast is followed by a noun with no verb, so since is a preposition there. In the other sentences a clause follows (you asked, we moved, it's late), so since is a subordinating conjunction.
- 16. Don't start until everyone arrives.Until everyone arrives contains a subject (everyone) and a verb (arrives), so until introduces a clause and is a conjunction. Until noon, until nine, and until midnight are prepositional phrases.
- 17. thanComparatives such as faster are followed by than, which here introduces the comparison clause her brother does. Then is about time or sequence and is a common misspelling of than.
- 18. as ifAs if (or as though) describes how he talked: in a way that suggested he knew everything. Unless, so that, and once express condition, purpose, and time.
- 19. Contrast between two factsWhereas sets two facts side by side to show how they differ. It is formal and is usually preceded by a comma because the clause adds a contrast.
- 20. After the guests left.After turns the guests left into a dependent clause, and with no main clause attached, it is a fragment. The other three each contain an independent clause.
- 21. UnlessUnless means if not: Unless you leave now = If you don't leave now. If you leave now, you'll miss the train would be illogical, and once and because do not mean if not.
- 22. untilUntil introduces a clause and marks the point when the waiting ends. By and during are prepositions and cannot introduce a clause, and till when is not used as a conjunction in this way.
- 23. Even thoughEven though introduces a fact that makes the main clause surprising. Even if would treat the salary as a possibility, while so that, unless, and as if express purpose, condition, and manner.
- 24. While I agree with your goal, I disagree with the plan.Agreeing and disagreeing are not happening at the same moment; they are two opposing positions, so while here means although. In the other sentences while means during the time that.
- 25. As you're the expert, you should decide.Being the expert is the reason you should decide, so as means because. As shows time in the first sentence, manner in the third, and comparison in the fourth (as tall as).
- 26. thereforeTherefore is a conjunctive adverb: it links two independent clauses and needs a semicolon or full stop before it. The mnemonic is only a memory aid for common examples, not a complete list.
- 27. She accepted the job, even though the pay was low.A comma before even though is common because the clause adds a contrast. The comma never goes after the conjunction, and a semicolon would wrongly cut off the dependent clause.
- 28. Although it was cold, but we went swimming.Although and but both mark the contrast, so using them together double-links the clauses. Standard English uses one or the other: Although it was cold, we went swimming, or It was cold, but we went swimming.
- 29. provided thatProvided that (or providing) means only if: the promise is the condition for lending the book. Whereas and even though express contrast, and as if expresses manner.
- 30. I went to bed early so that I'd be rested.So that introduces a purpose: being rested was the goal. Comma + so shows a result, and so … that shows a result of degree (so tired that…), not a purpose.
List of Subordinating Conjunctions by Meaning
Subordinating conjunctions can be single words (because) or groups of words (as soon as, even though, so that). Grouping them by meaning makes it easier to choose the right one. Some appear in more than one group: since can show time or cause, and while can show time or contrast.
- Time: after, before, when, whenever, while, as, since, until (till), once, as soon as, by the time
- Cause or reason: because, since, as, now that
- Condition: if, unless, provided (that), providing, as long as, in case, even if
- Contrast and concession: although, though, even though, whereas, while
- Purpose: so that, in order that
- Place: where, wherever
- Manner and comparison: as, as if, as though, than
- Result of degree: so … that, such … that
Words like that, whether, who, which, and what also introduce dependent clauses, but they start noun clauses or relative clauses. The list above covers the conjunctions that start adverb clauses.
Subordinating vs Coordinating Conjunctions vs Conjunctive Adverbs
Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so — remembered as FANBOYS) join items of equal grammatical rank: two independent clauses stay independent. Subordinating conjunctions make one clause depend on the other. Conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless) are not conjunctions at all: they show a relationship, but the clauses on either side remain independent.
- Coordinating: It was late, but we kept working.
- Subordinating: Although it was late, we kept working.
- Conjunctive adverb: It was late; however, we kept working.
- Conjunctive adverb, new sentence: It was late. However, we kept working.
- Wrong (comma splice): It was late, however, we kept working.
Test: can the word move around inside its clause? However can (We, however, kept working), so it is an adverb. Although and but cannot move.
Comma Rules With Subordinating Conjunctions
Put a comma after a dependent clause that comes before the main clause: Because the road was closed, we took a detour. When the main clause comes first, you usually need no comma: We took a detour because the road was closed.
Contrast conjunctions are the main exception. Although, though, even though, and whereas often take a comma before them even at the end of a sentence, and while meaning although usually does too. Never put a comma directly after the conjunction (Because, the road…), and never use a semicolon between a dependent clause and its main clause.
- If you're cold, close the window.
- Close the window if you're cold.
- He stayed calm, although he was furious.
- Since you're here, let's start. (cause)
Words That Are Both Prepositions and Conjunctions
After, before, since, until, and as can be prepositions or conjunctions. The test is what follows. If a clause (subject + finite verb) follows, the word is a conjunction. If only a noun or pronoun follows, it is a preposition.
- Preposition: after lunch / Conjunction: after we ate lunch
- Preposition: before Monday / Conjunction: before the week starts
- Preposition: since 2020 / Conjunction: since we moved
- Preposition: until noon / Conjunction: until the shop opens
- Because of is a two-word preposition: because of the rain (not because the rain).
The mnemonic AAAWWUBBIS (as, although, after, while, when, unless, because, before, if, since) is a handy way to remember common subordinating conjunctions, but it is not a complete list.
Keep practicing
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common subordinating conjunctions?
The most frequent are because, if, when, while, although, since, until, before, after, unless, as, so that, and even though. Each introduces a dependent clause and shows how it relates to the main clause, for example cause (because), condition (if), or contrast (although).
Is 'because' a subordinating conjunction?
Yes. Because introduces a dependent clause of cause: We left because it was late. Because of, by contrast, is followed by a noun rather than a clause (because of the rain), so it works as a preposition.
Do you need a comma before a subordinating conjunction?
Usually not when the dependent clause comes after the main clause (I'll call you when I arrive). You do put a comma after the dependent clause when it comes first (When I arrive, I'll call you). Contrast words such as although, whereas, and even though often take a comma before them.
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