Subordinate Conjunctions

1. Study hard that you may be wiser.

2. We shall not go if it rains.

3. Though all deny thee, yet will I not deny thee.

4. We ran fast far the bear was upon us.

5. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou lovest thyself.

6. That he was afraid none will deny.

7. That he risked all for honor is true.

Observe that the conjunctions in these sentences connect clauses with principal statements. They are therefore subordinate conjunctions.

Note just how each clause modifies its principal statement. It is seen that the clause introduced by the conjunction that, modifies study by telling the purpose. That is therefore a subordinate conjunction expressing purpose.

The clause introduced by if modifies shall go by expressing the condition. If is a subordinate conjunction expressing condition.

The clause beginning with though modifies will deny by-showing a concession. Though is a subordinate conjunction of concession.

The clause beginning with for modifies ran by showing the cause or reason. For is a subordinate conjunction of cause.

The clause beginning with as modifies shalt love by expressing a comparison. As is a subordinate conjunction of comparison.

In sentences 6 and 7 that is used to introduce the noun clauses.

The connective force of that will be seen by changing the order of the sentences as follows:

1. None will deny that he was afraid.

2. It is true that he risked all for honor.

To change the order of the last sentence we must use it to introduce the sentence.

That is often used to introduce a noun clause.

Subordinate conjunctions are conjunctions that connect clauses with principal statements.

Point out the subordinate conjunctions in the following sentences, and tell what they connect:

1. He is sure to learn because he studies hard.

2. The crops will fail unless we have rain soon.

3. The sailing party will start to-morrow at ten o'clock, if the weather is fine.

4. Abraham Lincoln had no luxuries in his early life, for his parents were very poor.

5. We cannot go in bathing until the water is warmer.

6. John has been out sailing every day since he bought his new boat.

7. We must strive to succeed, for the idle deserve not success.

Write five sentences using a co-ordinate conjunction in each sentence.

Write five sentences using a subordinate conjunction in each sentence.

Write three sentences using that to introduce a noun clause in each sentence.