Conjunctions - Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions join a subordinate clause with a main clause. Simply speaking, a subordinate or dependent clause is one that cannot stand as a separate sentence, while a main or an independent clause is one that can stand as a separate sentence.

For example:

Gagan decided that he would walk to office if it did not rain that morning.

In this case, the main and the subordinate clauses are as follows:

Gagan decided that he would walk to office. (Main Clause) The meaning is clear. Hence, this clause stands by itself as a sentence. If it did not rain that morning (Subordinate Clause) The meaning is not clear. Hence, this clause does not stand by itself as a sentence. It depends on the main clause for its meaning to become clear.

‘If’ is the subordinating conjunction that begins the subordinate clause. So, two things become clear immediately:

(a) The subordinating conjunction joins the subordinate clause with the main clause.

(b) The subordinating conjunction begins the subordinating clause.

A subordinating conjunction has two roles. These are as follows:

(i) It shows a relationship between the ideas contained in the joined clauses.

Using the same example:

Gagan decided that he would walk to office if it did not rain that morning.

Here, ‘if’ shows the relation of condition. Gagan would walk to office on the condition that it did not rain. However, if it did rain, then Gagan would not walk to office.

(ii) It reduces the importance of the idea contained in the subordinating clause and increases the importance of the idea contained in the main clause.

Again using the same example:

Gagan decided that he would walk to office if it did not rain that morning.

Here, ‘if’ clearly indicates that the main idea is Gagan’s decision to walk to office.