Subordinators and the Usage

    The definition of subordinator


    Subordinator is a kind of connector that join a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples of subordinators are before, when, if, because and although . They are used before the dependent clause. They can be used in two positions:


    1) The subordinator and dependent clause can come before the independent clause with a comma.


    When the bell rang, the students ran to the sky-train station .


    2) The subordinator and dependent clause can come after the independent clause with no comma.


    The students ran to the sky-train station when the bell rang.


    So, we have these rules:



    1. [ Subordinator ] + Subject + Verb , Subject + Verb. (comma)

    2. Subject + Verb [ Subordinator ] + Subject Verb. (no comma)


    You can delete some subordinators and still have a complex sentence such as :

    The man (whom) you saw robbed a bank. The comma (that) I added was not necessary.


    The reasons why we use subordinator are :


    Use subordinators to make papers less wordy . Don't use two sentences when one will do!


    Example:


    This is a good novel. The reason why I say it is a good novel is because it is funny and well-written.


    Revision : This is a good novel because it is funny and well-written.



    Use subordinator to clarify ideas . Joining words can create subtle differences of meaning. This is especially important with subordination.


    Examples:


    In a world where everyone carried a handgun, homicides would probably increase. It is true that unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals. But we all want a lower crime rate.


    REVISION: Although it is true that unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals, in a world where everyone carried a handgun, homicides would probably increase. We all want a lower crime rate.


    Unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals. It is true that in a world where everyone carried a handgun, homicides would probably increase. But people need to defend themselves.


    REVISION: Although homicides would probably increase in a world where everyone carried a handgun, unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals. People need to defend themselves.



    Kind of subordinators



    Time: when, while, since, before, after, until, once.

    Place: where, wherever.

    Cause: because, since, as, now that, inasmuch as.

    Condition: if, unless, on condition that.

    Contrast/Concession: although, even though, despite, in spite of.

    Adversative: while, where, whereas

    Other: that, which, who, whoever, whom, what, why, how....



    The Usage of Subordinators



    • To Show a Difference

    The subordinators are: while, whereas, and though.

    Example:

    While most students hate lab assignments, Anita enjoys them.


    • To Show the Opposite of What You Might Expect

    The subordinators are: although, even though, though.

    Example:

    Even though Clara Nett works hard, she still isn't getting good grades


    • To Show a Similarity

    The subordinators are: just as, as.

    Example:

    Peter loves political science just as Rhonda loves English Literature.


    • To Show a Cause or Reason

    The subordinators are: because, since, as long as

    Example:

    She decided to take Psychology because she was curious about human behaviour.



    • To Show a Result or Effect

    The subordinators are: so + adjective + that , so + adjective + that.

    Examples:

    She was so tired that she went to bed at 8 o'clock.

    He was such a good instructor that she told all her friends about him.




    • To Show a Time Relationship

    The subordinators are: before, after, when, whenever, while, as soon as, until, the moment that, and since.

    Examples:

    She was listening to the test instructions when her cell phone rang.

    She has studied the piano since she was a child.


    • To Show a Condition

    The subordinators are: if, even if, unless, when, whenever.

    Examples:

    We'll have our final class party at Queen's Park unless it rains.

    If it rains, we'll meet at my place, which is close to the college.

Post Title

Subordinators and the Usage


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