subordinating conjunction
(noun)
A word that joins together the separate sections of a complex sentence.
Examples of subordinating conjunction in the following topics:
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Conjunctions: Coordination, Correlation, Conjunction, and Subordination
- A conjunction is a part of speech that connects words or phrases.
- There are several different types of conjunctions.
- Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join two separate clauses.
- The most common subordinating conjunctions in the English language include after, although, as, as far as, as if, as long as, as soon as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, every time, if, in order that, since, so, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, and while.
- "Conjunction junction, what's your function?"
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Using Varied Sentence Lengths and Styles
- Here is an example of a compound sentence: "I love chocolate cake with rainbow sprinkles and I eat it all the time for breakfast. " A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses (with no subordinate clauses) that are commonly jointed together by a conjunction or punctuation.
- A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
- A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
- These clauses are joined together using conjunctions, punctuation, or both.
- A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
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Structure of a Sentence
- A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
- A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
- These clauses are joined together using conjunctions, punctuation, or both.
- A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.
- Here, the subordinate clause is, "since he's been eating neighborhood cats."
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Common Comma Mistakes
- Do not use a comma to set off quotations that occupy a subordinate position in a sentence, often signaled by the words "that," "which," or "because."
- You can use a coordinating conjunction following the comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
- The independent clauses may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany it to separate the independent clauses.
- You can use a coordinating conjunction and a comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
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Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences
- A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (or in other words, two clauses that each express a complete thought and could stand on its own as a full sentence) are joined only by a comma instead of an acceptable form of punctuation, such as a comma with a coordinating conjunction, a period or a semicolon.
- You can use a coordinating conjunction following the comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
- Run-on sentences may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany the coordinating conjunction in order to separate two independent clauses.
- You can use a coordinating conjunction and a comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
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Semicolons
- Semicolons also link clauses of equal importance, but unlike commas, do not always require a coordinating conjunction.
- Semicolons can join closely related independent clauses that are not linked with a coordinating conjunction:
- Semicolons can also be used between independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb.
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Introduction to Commas
- Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that separates two independent clauses.
- Coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions, or joining words, that are placed between words and phrases of equal importance.
- Used with coordinating conjunctions, commas allow writers to express how their complete thoughts relate to one another.
- When joining two independent clauses, or clauses that could stand on their own as full sentences, place a comma before the conjunction.
- When they are joined in the same sentence, however, they must be connected with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
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Introduction to Pronouns
- Relative pronouns introduce what are called subordinate clauses.
- Subordinate clauses are phrases within a sentence that modify the subject of the sentence.
- For example, in the phrase "The girl who wore a yellow dress," the subordinate clause "who wore a yellow dress" helps to modify the subject of "the girl."
- Similarly, in the phrase "The desk that fell apart," the subordinate clause "that fell apart" helps to identify which desk the writer is talking about.
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Ending Punctuation
- The exclamation mark is sometimes used in conjunction with the question mark.
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Step 1: Prewriting and Choosing a Topic
- You designate your primary ideas and group subordinate or supporting ideas underneath them.