3) The subordinating conjunctions are:
after
although
as
as far as
as if
as long as
as soon as
as though
because
before
despite the fact
that
even though
if
in spite of the
fact that
since
so that
though
unless
until
whether...or
when
whenever
where
wherever
while
why
A subordinate conjunction is used to join a dependent
clause (otherwise known as a subordinate clause; see p.1 of the
Appendix) to a sentence. If the
dependent clause is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it is followed by
a comma; if it is placed after the sentence, no comma is used.
Ex.: As
he was cleaning the gun, it accidentally went off.
The gun accidentally went off as he
was cleaning it.
As far as I am concerned, this
discussion is over.
This discussion is over as far as I
am concerned.
Because it was cloudy, we couldn't
see the eclipse.
We couldn't see the eclipse because
it was cloudy.
Unless you tell him, he will never
know.
He will never know unless you tell
him.
Whether you are ready or not, you
must take the exam today.
You must take the exam today whether
you are ready or not.
The subordinating conjunctions of contrast
(although, despite the fact that, even though, in spite of the fact that,
though) are sometimes preceded by a comma when they follow the main clause. The
choice depends upon whether a pause sounds natural.
Ex.: Although
I saw the first part of that documentary, I missed the conclusion.
I missed the conclusion, although I
saw the first part of that documentary.
Even though she lives next door, I
don't know her name.
I don't know her name even though
she lives next door.
In spite of (= Despite) the fact
that he was ill, he played the whole game.
He played the whole game in spite of
(= despite) the fact that he was ill.
The subordinating conjunctions of manner
(as if, as though) follow the main clause with no preceding comma, and the
subordinate clause verb is in the past subjunctive.
Exs.: He
lay on the ground as if he were dead.
The boss looked at us as though we
were idiots.