Subordinating conjunctions
Because, when, if, although and the rest: the words that start a clause that cannot stand alone.
The answer
A subordinating conjunction, such as because, when, if or although, starts a subordinate clause and links it to the main clause.
Examples
We stayed inside because it was raining.
Although she was tired, Ella finished the race.
I will phone you when I get home.
If you water the seeds, they will grow.
Wait here until I come back.
How to spot it
- It begins a clause that cannot stand on its own: ‘because it was raining’ is not a sentence.
- That clause can often move to the front, with a comma after it: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
- Common ones: because, when, if, although, while, before, after, since, until, unless and as.
The common mistake
Writing the subordinate clause as a sentence by itself.
‘We stayed inside. Because it was raining.’ In school writing the two parts need to be one sentence: ‘We stayed inside because it was raining.’
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 2
- On the pupil word list
- Not as a separate term
Year 2 teaches subordination with when, if, that and because. Year 3 names conjunction and subordinate clause and adds before, after and while. The KS2 test framework expects a wider range, including although.
Try a question
Tick the sentence that uses a subordinating conjunction.
- I like cats and dogs.
- I like cats although I am allergic to them.
- I like cats but not dogs.
- I like cats or rabbits.
Show the answer
Answer: I like cats although I am allergic to them.
Although starts a subordinate clause. And, but and or are co-ordinating conjunctions.
Practise it
An interactive exercise where your child chooses the joining word that makes the whole sentence true.
Related terms
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
Is that a subordinating conjunction?
It can be. In ‘I know that you are right’, that introduces a subordinate clause. Appendix 2 lists that with when, if and because for Year 2.
Do you need a comma with a subordinating conjunction?
When the subordinate clause comes first, put a comma after it: When it stopped raining, we went out. When it comes second, you usually need no comma: We went out when it stopped raining.
Can because start a sentence?
Yes, as long as the main clause follows in the same sentence: Because the bus was late, we missed assembly.
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
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