Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions link two parts of a sentence, making it more complex. They connect a dependent clause (incomplete thought) to an independent clause (complete thought). These words, like after, because, and when, show relationships like time, cause-and-effect, or contrast between the clauses.

Examples:

  1. After: ശേഷം
    It is used to indicate that one event will occur following another event.

    Example: After I finish my work, I will go for a walk.
    I will go for a walk after I finish my work. (no comma)

  2. Although/ Though/ Eventhough: എങ്കിലും, ആയിരുന്നാലും, എന്നിട്ടും, ആണെങ്കിലും
    It is used to express a contrast or contradiction.

    Example: Although it was raining, we decided to go for a picnic.
    We decided to go for a picnic, although it was raining. (need comma in both formation)

  3. As: ആ സമയത്ത് , ആയതിനാൽ
    It is used to indicate that two actions are happening simultaneously.

    Example: As I was walking to the store, I saw a friend.
    As I was not well, I din’t go to school.
    I didn’t go to school as I was sick (no need for comma)

  4. Because: അതുകൊണ്ട്
    It is used to indicate the reason for something.

    Example: I couldn’t attend the party because I was feeling sick.
    Because I was feeling sick, I couldn’t attend the party. (need comma)

  5. Before: മുമ്പ്
    It used to indicate that one event will occur prior to another event.

    Example: Before you judge others, (you) judge yourself. (need comma)
    Judge yourself before you judge others (no need of comma)

  6. Even if: എന്നാലും
    It is used to express a hypothetical or unlikely situation.

    Example: Even if it rains tomorrow, we will still go to the beach.
    We will still go to the beach even if it rains tomorrow.

  7. If: എങ്കിൽ
    It is used to express a hypothetical or conditional situation.

    Example: If I study hard, I can pass the exam. (need comma)
    I can pass the exam if I study hard. (no need of comma)

  8. In order that: അതിനായി
    It is used to express purpose or intent.

    Example: I will study hard in order that I can get a good grade on the test.
    In order that I can get a good grade on the test, I will study hard.

  9. In order to: ഇതിനായി

    In order to get good sleep, one should go to bed early.
    One should go to bed early in order to get good sleep.

  10. Once: ഒരു കാര്യം പൂർത്തിയാക്കിയ ശേഷം
    It is used to indicate that an event will occur after another event has taken place.

    Example: Once you reach home, please call me.
    Please call me once you reach home.

  11. Provided that ഒരു വ്യവസ്ഥ നിറവേറ്റിയാൽ
    It is used to express a condition that must be met in order for something to happen

    Example:I will give you a promotion provided that you achieve your target.
    Provided that you achieve your target, I will give you a promotion.

  12. Since ആയതിനാൽ, അതുകൊണ്ട്

    Example: Since it’s raining outside, we decided to have a cozy movie night indoors.

  13. So that: അതുകൊണ്ട്
    It is used to express purpose or intent.

    Example: I will study hard so that I can get a good grade on the test.
    So that I can get a good grade on the test, I will study hard.

  14. Unless അല്ലാതെ
    it is used to express a condition that must be met in order for something to happen.

    Example: I won’t be able to attend the meeting unless I finish my work on time.

  15. Until അതുവരെ
    It is used to indicate that an event will continue until another event occurs. (time)

    Example: I will keep working until I finish the project.

  16. When ആ സമയത്ത്
    It is used to indicate that an event will occur at the same time as another event.

    Example: When you reach, please call me.
    Please call me when you reach.

  17. Whereas: അതേസമയം
    It is used to express a contrast or comparison

    Example: She likes action movies, whereas I prefer romantic comedies.

  18. Wherever: എവിടെയായിരുന്നാലും
    It is used to indicate any place where something may happen.

    Example: I will follow you wherever you go.
    Wherever you go, I will follow you.

  19. While: അതെ സമയം
    It is a conjunction that is commonly used to indicate a contrast, opposition, or simultaneous occurrence of two actions. Its meaning can vary depending on the context in which it’s used. Here are a few common uses of “while” as a conjunction:

    A. Contrast:
    She enjoys reading while her brother prefers playing video games.
    While some people prefer summer, others prefer winter.
    B. Simultaneous Action:
    I listened to music while I worked on my assignment.
    He ate dinner while watching TV.
    C. Time:
    I met her while I was studying abroad.
    While I was in the store, I ran into an old friend.

More examples of subordinating conjunctions

1. After:

   – After the rain stopped, we went outside to play.

   – We went outside to play after the rain stopped.

   – After I finish my chores, I’ll join you for dinner.

   – I’ll join you for dinner after I finish my chores.

2. Although:

   – Although it was late, she decided to go for a run.

   – She decided to go for a run, although it was late.

   – Although he studied hard, he still failed the exam.

   – He still failed the exam, although he studied hard.

3. As:

   – As I was walking to the store, I saw an old friend.

   – I saw an old friend as I was walking to the store.

   – She smiled at me as if she knew something I didn’t.

   – As if she knew something I didn’t, she smiled at me.

4. As if:

   – He acted as if he had never seen a dog before.

   – He had never seen a dog before, as if he acted.

   – She looked at me as if I had grown another head.

   – As if I had grown another head, she looked at me.

5. As long as:

   – You can stay up late as long as you finish your homework.

   – As long as you finish your homework, you can stay up late.

   – As long as the food is delicious, I’ll eat anything.

   – I’ll eat anything as long as the food is delicious.

6. As much as:

   – As much as I love ice cream, I know it’s not good for me.

   – I know it’s not good for me, as much as I love ice cream.

   – As much as he wanted to go on vacation, he couldn’t afford it.

   – He couldn’t afford it, as much as he wanted to go on vacation.

7. As soon as:

   – As soon as the bell rings, you can leave the classroom.

   – You can leave the classroom as soon as the bell rings.

   – She knew the answer as soon as the question was asked.

   – As soon as the question was asked, she knew the answer.

8. As though:

   – He acted as though he had seen a ghost.

   – He had seen a ghost, as though he acted.

   – She talked to me as though I were a child.

   – As though I were a child, she talked to me.

9. Because:

   – They cancelled the picnic because of the bad weather.

   – Because of the bad weather, they cancelled the picnic.

   – She didn’t go to the party because she wasn’t feeling well.

   – Because she wasn’t feeling well, she didn’t go to the party.

10. Before:

    – Before she goes to bed, she reads a book.

    – She reads a book before she goes to bed.

    – He likes to have his coffee before he starts work.

    – Before he starts work, he likes to have his coffee.

11. By the time:

   – By the time she arrived, the party was already over.

   – The party was already over by the time she arrived.

   – By the time we finish the project, the deadline will have passed.

   – The deadline will have passed by the time we finish the project.

12. Even if:

   – Even if it rains, we’ll still go to the beach.

   – We’ll still go to the beach, even if it rains.

   – Even if he apologizes, I’m not sure I can forgive him.

   – I’m not sure I can forgive him, even if he apologizes.

13. Even though:

   – Even though it was his birthday, he didn’t want to celebrate.

   – He didn’t want to celebrate, even though it was his birthday.

   – Even though she studied hard, she failed the exam.

   – She failed the exam, even though she studied hard.

14. If:

   – If it rains, we’ll stay indoors.

   – We’ll stay indoors if it rains.

   – If he arrives late, we’ll start without him.

   – We’ll start without him if he arrives late.

15. Inasmuch as:

   – Inasmuch as I appreciate the offer, I have to decline.

   – I have to decline inasmuch as I appreciate the offer.

   – Inasmuch as he wants to help, he doesn’t know how.

   – He doesn’t know how, inasmuch as he wants to help.

16. In case:

   – Take an umbrella in case it rains.

   – In case it rains, take an umbrella.

   – I brought some snacks in case we get hungry.

   – In case we get hungry, I brought some snacks.

17. In order that:

   – I’ll leave early in order that I can catch the train.

   – In order that I can catch the train, I’ll leave early.

   – She turned up the volume in order that she could hear better.

   – In order that she could hear better, she turned up the volume.

18. Lest:

   – Turn off the lights lest they attract mosquitoes.

   – Lest they attract mosquitoes, turn off the lights.

   – She wrote a reminder lest she forget about the meeting.

   – Lest she forget about the meeting, she wrote a reminder.

19. Now that:

   – Now that we’re here, let’s enjoy ourselves.

   – Let’s enjoy ourselves, now that we’re here.

   – Now that he has a job, he can afford to buy a car.

   – He can afford to buy a car, now that he has a job.

20. Once:

    – Once you finish your homework, you can go out and play.

    – You can go out and play once you finish your homework.

    – Once the sun sets, it will be too dark to play outside.

    – It will be too dark to play outside once the sun sets.

21. Provided (that):

   – You can go to the party provided that you finish your homework first.

   – Provided that you finish your homework first, you can go to the party.

   – We can go for a walk provided that it stops raining.

   – Provided that it stops raining, we can go for a walk.

22. Rather than:

   – He chose to walk rather than take the bus.

   – Rather than take the bus, he chose to walk.

   – She decided to apologize rather than argue further.

   – Rather than argue further, she decided to apologize.

23. Since:

   – Since it’s already late, let’s go to bed.

   – Let’s go to bed since it’s already late.

   – Since he already knows the answer, there’s no need to ask him.

   – There’s no need to ask him since he already knows the answer.

24. So that:

   – He opened the window so that fresh air could come in.

   – So that fresh air could come in, he opened the window.

   – She left a note on the table so that we wouldn’t forget.

   – So that we wouldn’t forget, she left a note on the table.

25. Supposing (that):

   – Supposing that you don’t pass the test, what will you do?

   – What will you do, supposing that you don’t pass the test?

   – Supposing that it rains, we should bring umbrellas.

   – We should bring umbrellas, supposing that it rains.

26. Than:

   – She is taller than her sister.

   – Her sister is shorter than she is.

   – He would rather walk than take the bus.

   – Than take the bus, he would rather walk.

27. That:

   – He said that he would come to the party.

   – I know that you can do better than this.

   – She believes that honesty is the best policy.

   – It’s possible that she forgot about the meeting.

28. Though:

   – Though it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.

   – They decided to go for a walk, though it was raining.

   – He failed the exam, though he studied hard.

   – Though he studied hard, he failed the exam.

29. Till:

   – We’ll wait here till you arrive.

   – Till you arrive, we’ll wait here.

   – He worked till late in the night to finish the project.

   – Till late in the night, he worked to finish the project.

30. Unless:

    – Unless you apologize, I won’t forgive you.

    – I won’t forgive you unless you apologize.

    – We won’t be able to go out unless the rain stops.

    – Unless the rain stops, we won’t be able to go out.

31. Until:

   – We’ll wait here until you finish your presentation.

   – Until you finish your presentation, we’ll wait here.

   – She stayed up until midnight studying for her exam.

   – Until midnight, she stayed up studying for her exam.

32. When:

   – I’ll call you when I reach the airport.

   – When I reach the airport, I’ll call you.

   – He always gets nervous when he has to speak in public.

   – When he has to speak in public, he always gets nervous.

33. Whenever:

   – Whenever she hears that song, it reminds her of her childhood.

   – It reminds her of her childhood whenever she hears that song.

   – He always brings flowers whenever he visits his grandmother.

   – Whenever he visits his grandmother, he always brings flowers.

34. Where:

   – This is where we first met.

   – We first met where you’re standing.

   – She looked everywhere to find her keys, but she couldn’t remember where she left them.

   – She couldn’t remember where she left them, even though she looked everywhere to find her keys.

35. Whereas:

   – She enjoys sweet foods, whereas her sister prefers savory dishes.

   – Whereas her sister prefers savory dishes, she enjoys sweet foods.

   – He enjoys spending time outdoors, whereas his brother prefers staying indoors.

   – Whereas his brother prefers staying indoors, he enjoys spending time outdoors.

36. Wherever:

   – She’ll follow her dreams wherever they may lead.

   – Wherever they may lead, she’ll follow her dreams.

   – He always carries his camera wherever he goes.

   – Wherever he goes, he always carries his camera.

37. Whether:

   – Whether you like it or not, we have to finish this project by tomorrow.

   – We have to finish this project by tomorrow, whether you like it or not.

   – She couldn’t decide whether to go to the party or stay home.

   – Whether to go to the party or stay home, she couldn’t decide.

38. While:

   – I like to listen to music while I’m working.

   – While I’m working, I like to listen to music.

   – She called her friend while she was waiting for the bus.

   – While she was waiting for the bus, she called her friend.

39. Because of:

   – She couldn’t attend the meeting because of a family emergency.

   – Because of a family emergency, she couldn’t attend the meeting.

   – He was late to the party because of heavy traffic.

   – Because of heavy traffic, he was late to the party.

40. In spite of:

    – In spite of the rain, they decided to go for a picnic.

    – They decided to go for a picnic in spite of the rain.

    – In spite of his busy schedule, he always finds time for his hobbies.

    – He always finds time for his hobbies in spite of his busy schedule.

41. Despite:

   – Despite the bad weather, they went ahead with the outdoor party.

   – They went ahead with the outdoor party despite the bad weather.

   – Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time for his family.

   – He always finds time for his family despite his busy schedule.

42. Even when:

   – Even when it’s late, he insists on finishing his work.

   – He insists on finishing his work even when it’s late.

   – Even when she was tired, she kept practicing the piano.

   – She kept practicing the piano even when she was tired.

43. Whether or not:

   – Whether or not she agrees, we’re going ahead with the plan.

   – We’re going ahead with the plan whether or not she agrees.

   – Whether or not it rains, the picnic will still take place.

   – The picnic will still take place whether or not it rains.

44. No matter:

   – No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you.

   – I’ll always be there for you, no matter what happens.

   – No matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to please everyone.

   – She can’t seem to please everyone, no matter how hard she tries.

45. So long as:

   – You can use my car so long as you fill up the tank afterward.

   – So long as you fill up the tank afterward, you can use my car.

   – He’s allowed to play video games so long as he finishes his homework first.

   – So long as he finishes his homework first, he’s allowed to play video games.

46. In the event that:

   – In the event that the power goes out, we have flashlights and candles.

   – We have flashlights and candles in the event that the power goes out.

   – He packed an extra jacket in the event that it gets cold.

   – In the event that it gets cold, he packed an extra jacket.

47. Insofar as:

   – Insofar as I know, the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow.

   – The meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow, insofar as I know.

   – She followed the instructions insofar as she understood them.

   – Insofar as she understood them, she followed the instructions.

48. Provided (that):

   – You can borrow my car provided that you return it by Friday.

   – Provided that you return it by Friday, you can borrow my car.

   – We’ll go to the beach provided that the weather stays nice.

   – Provided that the weather stays nice, we’ll go to the beach.

49. Whether or not:

   – Whether or not he apologizes, I won’t forgive him.

   – I won’t forgive him whether or not he apologizes.

   – Whether or not they win the game, they’ll still celebrate.

   – They’ll still celebrate whether or not they win the game.

50. Seeing that:

    – Seeing that you’re tired, let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.

    – Let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow, seeing that you’re tired.

    – Seeing that she’s upset, he decided to postpone the conversation.

    – He decided to postpone the conversation, seeing that she’s upset.

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