Lesson 5: Complex Sentences
Subordinating Conjunctions
If coordinating conjunctions combine equal parts, subordinating conjunctions (aka subordinate conjunctions) combine “unequal” parts. By this, we mean that one part is dependent upon and serves the other. It may do this by qualifying it, giving its context or reason, presenting a result or purpose, etc.
I drink tea because I don’t like coffee.
In this sentence, “I don’t like coffee” is subordinate to “I drink tea.” The speaker’s appreciation for tea is grounded in his dislike of coffee. The subordinating conjunction “because” indicates such a relationship. Compare it to the sentence, “I drink tea but I don’t like coffee.” Here, with the coordinate conjunction “but,” no dependent relationship is shown; it is simply a positive and a negative on the same level.
Some common subordinating conjunctions are for, as, since, though, because, while, when, whenever, where, before, and after. Remember that there is some overlap between conjunctions and prepositions with certain words able to function as both.
I will drink tea after work.
(preposition)
I will drink tea after I run my errands.
(subordinating conjunction)
As you know, a prepositional phrase is non-verbal. So, if the word “after” is followed by a noun (with or without modifying adjectives, genitives, etc.), then it is a preposition. But if “after” is followed by a clause, then it is a subordinating conjunction.
Logical Subordination vs Grammatical Subordination
In our example sentence, “I drink tea because I don’t like coffee,” we could see logical as well as grammatical subordination. Grammatically, there was an independent clause “I drink tea,” the subordinating conjunction “because” and its dependent (or subordinate) clause, “because I don’t like coffee.” Logically, we can also see the desire is drink tea is founded upon a dislike of coffee. But be careful! Other times the logical and grammatical subordination will be opposite of each other.
I rise early in order to read God’s Word.
Logically, “I rise early” is subordinate, because I am doing it for the purpose of reading my Bible. In other words, my early rising is serving my Bible reading. However, grammatically it’s the opposite! Why? Because “to read God’s Word” is not a complete thought. It’s a phrase and is therefore dependent upon (subordinate to) the first part of the sentence. It is a good reminder that grammar is about the role of the words in a sentence and the sentence’s structure, not primarily about the logical argument being made.
Examples, Examples, Examples
As with the coordinating conjunctions, examples will be the best way to get a handle on the subordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions are labeled Cs and subordinate clauses have their very own shelf, with the subordinating conjunctions being placed on the connecting arm.
Notice with the above example that the contraction “don’t” is un-contracted to “do not” in order to parse and diagram accurately.
Looking to the next example below, note that we have changed the word order of the next sentence from above to illustrate how subordinating conjunctions may start a sentence. The diagram turns out exactly the same whether the word “after” is at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle.
