The Function of a Subordinating Conjunction

When a sentence has an independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause, it is known as a complex sentence. In a complex sentence, the dependent clause establishes a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause. (The subordinating conjunction provides the bridge between the main clause and the dependent clause.)

Real-Life Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

• I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. (Comedian Groucho Marx)
(The subordinate clause establishes a time for the main clause.)
• Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity. (Greek physician Hippocrates)
(The subordinate clause establishes a place for the main clause.)
• People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.
(The subordinate clause establishes a reason for the main clause.)
• Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not quite clear to him. (Author Paul Eldridge)
(The subordinate clause establishes a condition for the main clause.)
• I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. (Sir Winston Churchill)
(The subordinate clause establishes a concession for the main clause.)
• Everyone else my age is an adult whereas I am merely in disguise. (Poet Margaret Atwood)
(The subordinate clause establishes a comparison for the main clause.)

With one dependent clause and one main clause, these are all complex sentences.Read more about the different types of sentences.

Some More Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

Below are some more examples of subordinating conjunctions in sentences. Remember that the role of the subordinating conjunction and subordinate clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition, or a concession for the main clause. This means the clauses in bold are all functioning as adverbs. They're all adverbial clauses.

Examples of Complex Sentences

Below are examples of complex sentences. In each example, the independent clause is shaded. The dependent clause is unshaded.

• Stay in the bath until the phone rings.
• Both the cockroach and the bird would get along very well without us, although the cockroach would miss us most. (Joseph Wood Krutch, 1893-1970)
• Leave while you can.
• When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. (Arthur C. Clarke)
(These are two complex sentences.)

Subordinating Conjunctions in Complex Sentences

The word used to link an independent clause to a dependent clause is called a subordinating conjunction. The most common subordinating conjunctions are although, because, before, even though, if, since, until, and when.
The role of a subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause.
Easy Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
In each example below, the subordinating conjunction is in bold, and the subordinate clause is shaded. (The normal text is the main clause.)

What Is a Complex Sentence?

 A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent and at least one dependent clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause). An independent clause is a phrase that would make sense if it were a sentence on its own, whereas a dependent clause will not form a sentence on its own. When these two types of clauses appear in a sentence, we create a complex sentence.

Consider this example:

• I like to eat candy before I watch a movie.

“I like to eat the candy” is an independent clause as it would make a complete sentence on its own.

“Before I watch a movie” is a dependent clause, as it doesn’t make a complete sentence on its own. It is ‘dependent’ on the first clause for the phrase to make sense.

A complex sentence is a sentence with one independent and at least one dependent clause. It works best when you need to provide more information to explain or modify your sentence’s main point. Complex sentences are easy to spot as they often use subordinating conjunctions like because, since, or until to connect clauses. 

Why are they called “complex?” Complex sentences differ from simple ones but share some similarities with compound sentences. Does that seem complicated? Don’t worry; they’re easy to use once you understand how they work, which we explain fully below. We talk about simple vs. complex sentences, and independent vs. dependent clauses, and give plenty of complex-sentence examples. 

Independent vs. dependent clauses: What’s the difference?

The key to using complex sentences is understanding the difference between independent and dependent clauses. Basically, independent clauses are complete sentences on their own, but dependent clauses are not. However, both clauses contain a subject and a verb, so why is one a complete sentence but not the other? 

The short answer is that dependent clauses always start with subordinating conjunctions. In a way, these subordinating conjunctions turn independent clauses into dependent ones. 

Belajar Grammar Tidak Harus Ribet

 Bagi sebagian orang Indonesia, grammar merupakan sebuah momok yang cukup menakutkan bagi kita saat kita belajar Bahasa Inggris. Banyaknya rumus serta bentukan-bentukan kalimat yang tak jarang membuat kita bingung dalam menggunakannya. Bahkan kadang untuk hanya sekedar mengerti atau mengetahui pola kalimatnya saja kita pusing.

Akan tetapi tahukah kamu bahwa sebenarnya belajar grammar tidaklah sesulit yang kita bayangkan. Menurut beberapa ahli bahasa inggris kunci untuk mengeri dan memahami grammar dalam Bahasa Inggris tergantung kepada cara bagaimana kita mempelajarinya. Berikut beberapa tips simple untuk mempelajari grammar dengan cepat dan juga tidak sulit.

1. Kesalahan adalah teman

Jangan pernah takut untuk membuat kesalahan. Dalam belajar bahasa asing, kesalahan akan sangat lumrah untuk terjadi. Begitu pula dalam mempelajari Bahasa Inggris, walaupun kita sudah mempelajarinya sejak lama kesalahan pasti akan terjadi. Karena perasaan takut kita untuk membuat kesalahan akan menghambat proses kemajuan belajar kita. Oleh karenanya hilangkan dahulu perasaan takut untuk membuat kesalahan saat mempelajari Bahasa Inggris, karena itu adalah hal yang biasa terjadi.

Dengan kesalahan yang kita lakukan, lambat laun kita akan belajar dari kesalahan-kesalahan kita sehingga kita akan mengerti dimana harus melakukan perbaikan.

2. Kenali Formula dalam Bahasa Inggris

Memahami formula atau struktur pada tenses yang berlaku dalam Bahasa Inggris adalah wajib hukumnya. Ada 16 tenses yang harus dikuasai dan dihafalkan bentukannya di sebuah kalimat dalam Bahasa Inggris. Formula tenses ini adalah basic dalam mempelajari grammar, yang nantinya akan mempermudah kita dalam menyusun suatu kalimat.

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