GE L12 Unit 5 (subordinating conjunction)

Because

• “What does because do in that sentence?”

• “Does it connect two ideas?”

Because

• Yes! Because joins a reason to a statement. That’s called a subordinating conjunction.

What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

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What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause (incomplete idea) to an independent clause (complete idea).

Example:

• “I stayed home because it was raining.”
  → “because it was raining” can’t stand alone; it depends on the main idea.

What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

👉 Read these two sentences and decide which one is complete:

1. I didn’t go out.

2. Because it was raining.

What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

👉 Read these two sentences and decide which one is complete:

1. I didn’t go out.

2. Because it was raining.

Answer: Sentence 1 is complete; Sentence 2 needs more information.

Conclusion: Subordinating conjunctions help explain why, when, or how things happen.

Subordinating Conjunction

Type	Function	Examples
Cause/Reason	Why something happens	because, since, as
Time	When something happens	when, while, before, after, until
Contrast	Opposite ideas	although, even though, whereas
Condition	Under what condition	if, unless, provided that
Purpose/Result	To show goal or outcome	so that, in order that
Place	Where something happens	where, wherever

How Subordinating Conjunctions Work?

Main Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause

Example:

• “I’ll finish my homework before I go to bed.”

• “Although it was late, I kept working.”

Complete the sentence

Sentence Starter	Students Complete
I stayed home because…	it was raining heavily
I won’t go unless…	you come with me.
Although I was tired…	I still finished my work.

Workbook page 62

Students read the sentences:

1. Whatever people say, robots are here to stay.

2. CCTV cameras are watching you wherever you go.

3. However you try to justify your opinion, others will disagree with you.

4. Whenever we go out together, it’s always fun.

Group Task:
In pairs, underline the subordinating conjunctions and discuss what they do in each sentence.

Workbook page 62

• Whatever – means no matter what people say

• Wherever – means in any place you go

• However – means in any way you try

• Whenever – means at any time we go out