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.

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