We explain what subordinate conjunctions are, the characteristics and functions of each type and examples in sentences.
What are subordinate conjunctions?
In grammar, the conjunctions or links They are the type of words that serve as a bridge between other syntactic elements, such as propositions, phrases or words, linking them and providing cohesion to the language. They are words lacking their own lexical meaning, that is, they only have a grammatical, relational meaning within the sentence.
Conjunctions are very common words and very present in practically all Languages that exist. They play a vital role in building a speech orderly and logical, and can be classified into two main types:
- Coordinating or proper conjunctions, which allow linking two or more interchangeable grammatical units, without hierarchizing them and without altering the joint meaning, that is, leaving them at the same syntactic level.
- Subordinating or improper conjunctions, which by linking grammatical units build a hierarchy in which one (the main or subordinate) gains greater importance or relevance for what was said than the other (the secondary or subordinate). In other words, these links build relationships of grammatical subordination.
Subordinate conjunctions are necessary to construct subordinate clauses, and in general they do not usually join words and phrases, as much as sentences or whole propositions, without these being able to interchange with each other, as is the case with coordinating conjunctions. The latter is due to the fact that there is a sentence hierarchy, which establishes that the subordinate clause has no meaning in the absence of its respective main clause.
Types of subordinating conjunctions
Taking into consideration the type of relationship that they introduce between the main clause and the subordinate clause, subordinate conjunctions can be classified as:
- Causal subordinating conjunctions. Those that introduce a causal relationship between the main sentence and the subordinate sentence, that is, that establish in the subordinate the reason or the consequence of what is said in the main sentence. For example, the case of "because" in "Yesterday I did not go to class because I felt bad"; or the one of "since" in "I lend you my jacket, since I see you cold." Other conjunctions of this type are "since", "since", "then", and so on.
- Comparative subordinating conjunctions. Those that establish a comparison of some kind between the main and subordinate clause. For example, the conjunction "more than" in "You're talking more than a parakeet!" or also "like" in "My sister drives like a Formula 1 driver". Other conjunctions of this type are "less than", "equal to", "worse than", "which", "as well as", and so on.
- Conditional subordinating conjunctions. Those that establish a conditionality relationship between the main and subordinate clause, that is, that one is fulfilled when (and if) the other is fulfilled. For example, the link “yes” in “You can win the prize if you continue participating”, or also “but yes” in “I don't feel like cooking, but if you're hungry I will”. Other conjunctions of this type are: "provided", "provided that", "provided that", and so on.
- Consecutive subordinating conjunctions. Also called ilative, they are those in which the subordinate clause is deduced or derived from what is said in the main clause, or vice versa. For example, the case of "therefore" in "The ship had already set sail, therefore there was no turning back"; or from "so that" in "People were crowding in the square, so that no one could distinguish it from the crowd." Other conjunctions of the case are: “so”, “well”, “so that”, “so much that”, “so”, and so on.
- Temporal subordinating conjunctions. They are those that express a temporal relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause, either before, after, at the same time, and so on. For example, when we use “when” in “The pigeons flew from nearby buildings, when the shot rumbled in the city”, or also “as soon” in “The police stopped him as soon as they managed to identify him”. Other conjunctions of this type are: "before", "after", "while", "every time", and so on.
- Final subordinating conjunctions. They are those that, by linking the main and subordinate clauses, create a sense of purpose, that is, of purpose, between the two. For example, when using “so that” in “They brought the sick person loaded, so that the doctor could examine him”; or "so that" in "The company increased its staff in order to get the job done faster." Other conjunctions of this type are: "for", "in order that", "in view of", "with view of", and so on.
- Concessive subordinating conjunctions. They are those in which an objection to the main clause is expressed in the subordinate, but at the same time that does not preclude action. In other words, they are used to grant, to agree to what is proposed or to accept what is proposed. For example, when we use “for more than” in “I am determined to help you, even if we are not friends”, or also “although” in “They are going to give me the job, even if there are better candidates”. Other conjunctions in this case are: “even when”, “despite” or “although”, among others.