A subordinating conjunction is a type of conjunction that connects two clauses or sentences of unequal importance, establishing a subordinate relationship between them. It serves to join an independent clause (a complete thought) with a dependent clause (an incomplete thought) and helps to clarify the relationship in terms of time, cause and effect, condition, contrast, or purpose.
Subordinating conjunctions introduce the dependent clause by creating a subordinate relationship between the two clauses. Common examples of subordinating conjunctions include "if," "although," "because," "unless," "while," "since," "before," "after," "while," "until," and "as."
The primary function of a subordinating conjunction is to indicate the dependent clause's role in relation to the main clause. It demonstrates that the dependent clause relies on the main clause to complete its meaning or provide context. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, as it lacks crucial information without the main clause.
For example, in the sentence "I will go to the park if it stops raining," the subordinating conjunction "if" introduces the dependent clause "it stops raining," which relies on the main clause ("I will go to the park") for its meaning. The subordinating conjunction indicates the condition (rain stopping) that must be met for the action in the main clause (going to the park) to occur.
In summary, a subordinating conjunction is a type of conjunction that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause in order to establish a subordinate relationship and clarify the relationship between the clauses in terms of time, cause and effect, condition, contrast, or purpose.
