Coordination and subordination

Abstract

An idea can be subordinated by using one of the subordinating conjunctions. There are many of these; some of the most common are listed below. (More are listed on page 144 (7 ed.) or 154 (8 ed.) of Rules for Writers. Note: who, whose, and which are a special type of subordinator that we will look at separately.) The various subordinating conjunctions indicate different types of relationships between the subordinate clause and the main clause, such as cause-effect, chronology, conditions, etc. Choose the one that best conveys your meaning.