Subordinating Conjunctions: Full List With Examples

Choosing the right connecting word can change the entire logic of a sentence. Subordinating conjunctions are the small words that turn a fragment into a supporting clause and attach it precisely to a main idea. Whether you are writing an academic essay, a formal email, or preparing for an English grammar test, getting these words right is what separates competent writing from genuinely controlled writing.

What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction is a word or short phrase that connects a dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) to a main clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it relies on the main clause to make full sense.

Consider these two clauses:

• She left the office. (main clause, complete on its own)
• Because the meeting ended early. (dependent clause, incomplete alone)

Add the subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause together: She left the office because the meeting ended early. Now the sentence is complete and the relationship between the two ideas is clear.

This is what makes subordinating conjunctions different from coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but, or), which join two equally weighted independent clauses. Understanding this distinction is a core part of English sentence structure, where word order and clause relationships shape meaning at every level.

The Comma Rule in One Line

Before working through the full list, learn this one rule:

Use a comma when the dependent clause comes first; use no comma when it comes second.

Practise applying this rule to each example below, and comma placement will become automatic.

AAAWWUBBIS: The Memory Device

AAAWWUBBIS is a classroom mnemonic used to help learners remember the most common subordinating conjunctions. Each letter stands for one word:

These ten words cover most subordinating conjunctions you will meet in everyday writing and reading. The full list goes further, but mastering AAAWWUBBIS first gives you a solid working core.

Full Subordinating Conjunctions List, Grouped by Meaning

Grouping by meaning is more practical than alphabetical order because it shows you when to reach for each word.

Time

Use these to show when something happens in relation to something else.

• after (the action follows)
• before (the action precedes)
• when (at the moment that)
• while (during the same period)
• as (at the same time, or as time passes)
• until / till (up to a point in time)
• since (from a point in time onwards)
• as soon as (immediately after)
• once (from the moment that)
• whenever (at any time that)

For a closer look at how since and while function in time expressions, the posts on since vs for and during vs while cover those contrasts in detail.

Cause and Reason

Use these to explain why something happens.

• because (the primary cause)
• as (a softer, more formal cause)
• since (because, used when the reason is already known)
• now that (because the situation has changed)
• in order that (to achieve a purpose, more formal)
• so that (to achieve a result)

Condition

Use these to state the terms under which something is true or will happen.

• if (the standard conditional)
• unless (if not)
• provided that / providing that (only if)
• as long as (on the condition that)
• in case (as a precaution)
• even if (regardless of whether)
• whether or not (in either case)

Contrast and Concession

Use these to acknowledge an opposing idea before making your main point.

• although (despite the fact that)
• though (slightly less formal than although)
• even though (stronger than although, emphasises surprise)
• while (can also mean "whereas")
• whereas (to highlight a direct contrast)
• despite the fact that (concession, more formal)

Knowing which connector to choose for contrast is part of a broader skill covered in Linking Words in English: The Complete List by Function, which organises connectors across all rhetorical purposes.

Other Categories

A few subordinating conjunctions do not fit neatly into the four main groups above.

• as if / as though (comparison or manner)
• than (comparative degree)
• where / wherever (place)
• that (after verbs of saying, thinking, or feeling)

Ten Subordinating Conjunction Examples

Read each sentence and notice the clause order, the comma placement, and the relationship the conjunction creates.

1. After the lecture ended, students gathered in the corridor. (time, dependent clause first, comma used)
2. She kept practising until she felt confident. (time, main clause first, no comma)
3. Because the report was unclear, the manager asked for a revision. (cause, dependent clause first, comma used)
4. He passed the exam although he had very little preparation time. (contrast, main clause first, no comma)
5. If you arrive before nine, you can join the early session. (condition, dependent clause first, comma used)
6. They redesigned the website so that users could navigate it more easily. (purpose, main clause first, no comma)
7. Whereas the northern region receives heavy rainfall, the south remains dry. (contrast, dependent clause first, comma used)
8. As soon as the results were published, she checked her score. (time, dependent clause first, comma used)
9. He will not apply unless the salary meets his expectations. (condition, main clause first, no comma)
10. Even though the task was difficult, the team completed it on time. (contrast, dependent clause first, comma used)

Short Practice Exercise

Test your understanding with five quick questions. Choose the correct subordinating conjunction from the options given, then check your answers below.

Choose the best word to complete each sentence:

1. ________ the weather improves, the outdoor event will be cancelled. (If / Although / After)
2. She studied every evening ________ she felt ready for the test. (whereas / until / so that)
3. ________ he had little experience, he handled the situation well. (Although / Unless / As soon as)
4. They moved to a larger office ________ the team had grown significantly. (whereas / because / if)
5. ________ you finish the first task, you can start on the second one. (Although / Once / Unless)

Answers:

1. If (condition)
2. until (time)
3. Although (contrast/concession)
4. because (cause)
5. Once (time)

If you missed one or two, go back to the grouped list and focus on the meaning category where the error occurred. Reviewing by category is faster than working through the whole list again.

Conclusion

Subordinating conjunctions are the connectors that show how one idea relates to another: in time, by cause, on a condition, or in contrast. The core points to carry forward:

• A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to a main clause.
• The dependent clause alone is not a complete sentence.
• Use the AAAWWUBBIS mnemonic to memorise the most common ten.
• Group the full subordinating conjunctions list by meaning: time, cause, condition, contrast.
• Apply the comma rule: comma when the dependent clause comes first, no comma when it comes second.
• Practise with real sentences and check your logic, not just your word choice.

Accurate use of subordinating conjunctions marks upper-intermediate and advanced English proficiency. Ready to see where your grammar sits on the CEFR scale? Take the English level test from International English Test; it takes about 30 minutes.