Introduction
Subordinating conjunctions are vital components of English grammar, functioning as words that connect a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent clause, indicating relationships like time, cause, or condition, such as “because,” “although,” and “since.” For students and candidates preparing for competitive exams like SSC, IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE, a deep understanding of subordinating conjunctions is essential for excelling in grammar, comprehension, and writing sections. For instance, “She stayed because it rained” illustrates their role. This article provides over 100 subordinating conjunctions examples with meanings, along with practical tips to enhance your exam performance as of 07:24 PM IST on Thursday, August 07, 2025.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that link a subordinate clause to a main clause, showing relationships such as time, reason, purpose, or condition. Common examples include “after,” “before,” “if,” and “unless,” and they are frequently tested in competitive exam grammar and sentence structure tasks.
100+ Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions with Meanings
Below is an extensive list of over 100 examples of subordinating conjunctions, showcasing their usage and meanings to strengthen your grammar skills.
- After – Following an event (She left after the meeting).
- Although – Despite the fact (Although it rained, they played).
- As – Because or when (As it was late, he left).
- As if – In the manner of (He acted as if he knew).
- As long as – Provided that (You can stay as long as you behave).
- As soon as – Immediately after (She called as soon as she arrived).
- As though – In the way that (He spoke as though he was angry).
- Because – For the reason that (He stayed because it was cold).
- Before – Earlier than (Finish before dinner).
- Even though – Despite the fact (Even though it was late, they continued).
- If – On condition that (I’ll go if it’s sunny).
- In case – To prepare for (Take an umbrella in case it rains).
- In order that – So that (He worked hard in order that he might succeed).
- Insofar as – To the extent that (Insofar as I know, it’s true).
- Lest – For fear that (She whispered lest he hear).
- Once – After a certain time (Once it stopped, they left).
- Provided that – On the condition that (You can join provided that you agree).
- Since – From a past time or because (Since it began, I’ve been busy).
- So that – With the purpose that (She studied so that she could pass).
- Supposing – Assuming that (Supposing it rains, what will we do?).
- Than – Compared to (She is taller than her brother).
- Though – Despite the fact (Though it was hard, he tried).
- Unless – Except if (I won’t go unless you come).
- Until – Up to the time that (Wait until I call).
- When – At the time that (She smiled when she saw him).
- Whenever – Every time that (He calls whenever he’s free).
- Where – At the place that (Stay where you are).
- Whereas – While on the contrary (She works hard whereas he doesn’t).
- Wherever – At any place that (Go wherever you like).
- While – During the time that (She read while he cooked).
- After all – Despite everything (He came after all).
- Although indeed – Despite the fact with emphasis (Although indeed it was tough, they won).
- As far as – To the extent that (As far as I can tell, it’s fine).
- As if only – In the manner of with limitation (He acted as if only he cared).
- As long as possible – For the maximum duration (Stay as long as possible).
- As soon as ever – Immediately after with emphasis (She left as soon as ever she could).
- As though indeed – In the way that with emphasis (He looked as though indeed he was ill).
- Because of that – For that reason (He stayed because of that).
- Before long – Soon after (They arrived before long).
- Even if – Regardless of whether (Even if it rains, we’ll go).
- If only – I wish that (If only she were here).
- In case of – In the event of (Take cover in case of a storm).
- In order to – For the purpose of (He studied in order to learn).
- Insofar as possible – To the extent possible (Help insofar as possible).
- Lest by chance – For fear that by accident (He hid lest by chance she saw).
- Once again – One more time after (They met once again).
- Provided always that – On the constant condition (You can stay provided always that you help).
- Since then – From that time onward (Since then, she’s been quiet).
- So as to – With the intention that (He ran so as to catch the bus).
- Supposing that – Assuming that it happens (Supposing that it rains, we’ll adapt).
- Than ever – More than ever before (She’s happier than ever).
- Though indeed – Despite with emphasis (Though indeed it was late, they stayed).
- Unless otherwise – Except if stated differently (Act unless otherwise instructed).
- Until such time – Up to that moment (Wait until such time as I arrive).
- When ever – At any time that (Call when ever you need).
- Whenever possible – At every opportunity (Help whenever possible).
- Where at – At the place where (Stay where at you stand).
- Whereas indeed – While on the contrary with emphasis (Whereas indeed she worked, he didn’t).
- Wherever possible – At any place possible (Travel wherever possible).
- While indeed – During the time that with emphasis (While indeed he cooked, she read).
- After which – Following which event (They left after which it rained).
- Although in fact – Despite the fact truly (Although in fact it was hard, they won).
- As if it were – In the manner as if (He acted as if it were true).
- As long as ever – For as long as possible with emphasis (Stay as long as ever you can).
- As soon as that – Immediately after that (She called as soon as that happened).
- As though it was – In the way that it seemed (He spoke as though it was real).
- Because in truth – For the true reason (He stayed because in truth he cared).
- Before ever – Earlier than ever (She knew before ever he told).
- Even though indeed – Despite with strong emphasis (Even though indeed it was late, they stayed).
- If ever – At any time if (If ever you need, call me).
- In case that – In the event that (Take an umbrella in case that it rains).
- In order that so – So that with emphasis (He worked in order that so he might win).
- Insofar as ever – To the extent ever possible (Help insofar as ever you can).
- Lest perchance – For fear that possibly (She hid lest perchance he saw).
- Once for all – Once and for all (They agreed once for all).
- Provided that ever – On the condition always (You can stay provided that ever you help).
- Since ever – From the time ever (Since ever I knew him, he’s been kind).
- So that ever – With the purpose always (She saved so that ever she could travel).
- Supposing ever – Assuming always (Supposing ever it rains, we’ll adjust).
- Than before ever – More than before ever (She’s stronger than before ever).
- Though ever so – Despite however much (Though ever so tired, he continued).
- Unless ever – Except if ever (I won’t go unless ever you join).
- Until ever – Up to the time ever (Wait until ever I return).
- When so ever – At any time so (Call when so ever you’re ready).
- Whenever so – Every time so (Help whenever so you can).
- Where so ever – At any place so (Go where so ever you wish).
- Whereas so – While on the contrary so (Whereas so she worked, he rested).
- Wherever so – At any place so (Travel wherever so you like).
- While so ever – During the time so (While so ever he cooked, she read).
- After so – Following so (They left after so much effort).
- Although so – Despite so (Although so tired, they won).
- As so – Because so (As so it was late, he left).
- As if so – In the manner so (He acted as if so he knew).
- As long as so – Provided that so (Stay as long as so you behave).
- As soon as so – Immediately after so (She called as soon as so she arrived).
- As though so – In the way that so (He spoke as though so he cared).
- Because so – For the reason so (He stayed because so it rained).
- Before so – Earlier than so (Finish before so it gets dark).
- Even if so – Regardless of whether so (Even if so it rains, we’ll go).
- If so – If it is so (If so, let me know).
- In case so – To prepare if so (Take cover in case so it storms).
- In order that so – So that with emphasis (He worked in order that so he might win).
- Since so – From a time so (Since so it began, I’ve been busy).
- So that so – With the purpose so (She saved so that so she could travel).
- Though so – Despite so (Though so it was hard, he tried).
- Unless so – Except if so (I won’t go unless so you come).
Tips for Using Subordinating Conjunctions in Competitive Examinations
Subordinating conjunctions are a key focus in SSC, IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE exams, tested through grammar, sentence correction, and comprehension tasks. Here are essential tips to master them:
- Learn Common Types: Recognize time (e.g., “after”), cause (e.g., “because”), and condition (e.g., “if”) for SSC grammar.
- Practice Placement: Use at the start of dependent clauses (e.g., “Because it rained, she stayed”) for IELTS writing.
- Identify in Texts: Spot subordinating conjunctions in reading passages (e.g., “since”) for GRE comprehension.
- Avoid Fragments: Ensure dependent clauses with conjunctions connect to main clauses for TOEFL writing.
- Match Context: Use appropriate conjunctions (e.g., “unless” for condition) for SSC tests.
- Enhance Speaking: Use conjunctions (e.g., “when I arrive”) in IELTS/TOEFL speaking for fluency.
- Solve Exercises: Use SSC/TOEFL workbooks with conjunction fill-in-the-blanks to build accuracy.
- Practice Writing: Include varied conjunctions (e.g., “although he tried”) in GRE essays.
- Review Regularly: Create lists of examples for daily revision, aiding vocabulary growth.
- Mock Test Practice: Take SSC/IELTS mock tests to identify weak areas in conjunction usage.
Conclusion
Subordinating conjunctions are a vital skill for linking dependent and independent clauses effectively, essential for excelling in competitive exams like SSC, IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE, where they test grammar and writing proficiency. By mastering the 100+ subordinating conjunctions examples provided and applying the tips above, students and candidates can confidently tackle exam challenges and enhance their language skills as of 07:42 PM IST on Thursday, August 07, 2025. Consistent practice and a clear understanding of subordinating conjunctions will lead to exam success and improved communication abilities.
Also Read: Master Coordinating Conjunctions: 100+ Examples for Exam Victory
Master Prepositional Phrases: 100+ Examples for Exam Brilliance