Conjunctions

What are Conjunctions?Conjunctions are words that "join". A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

because, as, since

so that

to express cause or reason

to express cause of purpose

before, after, until / till, when, as soon as, whenever, while to express time

unless, if, even if, in case, to express condition

although, even though, though to express contrast or concession

Peter didn’t go to work yesterday because he was ill. [reason]

Peter didn’t go to work yesterday as he was ill.

Because Peter was ill, he didn’t go to work yesterday.

As Peter was feeling unwell, he didn’t go to work yesterday.

Peter didn’t go to work yesterday since he was ill. [reason]

Since Peter was ill, he didn’t go to work yesterday.

 [cause, reason; more formal than because]

so that to express purpose or cause

I’ll lend you a map so that you can find the place easily. [reason]

So that you can find the place easily, I’ll lend you a map. [reason]

Examples:

So (Coordinating) VS So that (Subordinating)

So – for that reason (ex) The weather is really hot, so they decide to go swimming.

So that – purpose or cause (ex) They brought a map so that they wont get lost.

,so

so that X

before, after, until / till to express time

He played with his dog before he washed the dishes.

Examples:

He played with his dog after he washed the dishes.

NowBefore After

Before he washed the dishes, he played with his dog.

After he washed the dishes, he played with his dog.

I'll stay here until you arrive..

We have to wait until he finishes his work.

Until you arrive, I’ll stay here.

Until he finishes his work, we have to wait.

Until / Till - happening or done up to a particular point in time, and then stopping

You have to study here until you hear the bell rings.till

till

till

Till

Till

* Till and Until are interchangeable.

1. She has decided to move to New York City because/ since /as there are more opportunities for employment in that city

2. Our neighbor is going to buy a gun so that she can protect herself from bad men

3. My daughter can't wait until / till tomorrow!

4. Hubert's wife has to get a job so that they can pay house.

5. Because /Since/ As the police caught him driving while drunk, he lost his license.

6. Tanya and Uri have agreed not to live together until / till they get married.

EXERCISE - because/ since / as– so that – until/ till

When VS While

AlthoughAlthough is a conjunction. It is used for introducing a statement that makes your main statement seem surprising.

•Although Jane was the most deserving candidate, she didn’t get the job.•Although she is rich and famous, she is not happy.

Though and even thoughThough and although are interchangeable. Though is more common. Even though is stronger/ more emphatic.

•Though she was poor she would never ask for help.•Though difficult, the journey was not dangerous.•The soldiers went on fighting even though they were badly injured.

Note:Though can come at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

•Though she didn’t understand a word, she kept smiling.•She didn’t understand a word .She kept smiling, though .

* Though is often used at the end of a sentence or clause to add a statement or question  to indicate an afterthought.