subordinate conjunction
- noun
- /səˈbɔːrdɪnət kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən/
- Specialized
:
conjunción subordinada
- The word 'because' is a classic example of a subordinate conjunction.
Examples
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In the sentence 'I went home because it was late,' the subordinate conjunction 'because' introduces the dependent clause.
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She explained that subordinate conjunctions connect dependent clauses to main clauses.
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A subordinate conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.
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Examples of subordinate conjunctions include 'although' and 'because'.
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A subordinate conjunction like 'although' helps to connect the dependent clause to the main clause.
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In the sentence 'She went home because it was raining,' the word 'because' is a subordinate conjunction.
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Understanding how to use a subordinate conjunction can improve your writing and make it more complex.
Synonyms
A word that joins a part of a sentence to the main sentence, like because or although
A word that introduces a dependent clause, for example because or although
Antonyms
- Specialized
A word that joins two words, phrases, and short sentences, for example and, but, or
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'subordinate' (dependent) + 'conjunction' (a word that connects clauses) yields a conjunction that introduces or connects a dependent clause. This follows standard grammatical naming patterns (e.g., 'subordinating conjunction') and is likely clear to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Subordinate conjunction paints a simple picture: a small linking word that puts one idea 'under' another. The word subordinate means 'under' or 'less important' and conjunction means 'joining', so these words connect a 'dependent clause' to a 'main clause', which is why the clause cannot stand alone.
