Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to a main clause and often signal time, cause, condition, purpose, or contrast. Learning them helps you create more nuanced sentences.

Key Conjunctions

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions with their basic meanings to get you started.

	Spanish Conjunction	English Conjunction	Spanish Conjunction	English Conjunction
	porque	because	aunque	although / even though
	cuando	when	si	if
	mientras	while	para que	so that / in order that
	desde que	since	antes de que	before
	después de que	after	como	as / since

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Fill in the BlankTe llamaré(when) llegue a casa.

I'll call you when I get home.

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Usage

The subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction can appear before or after the main clause; when it comes first, use a comma after it. Some conjunctions trigger the subjunctive mood in certain contexts, especially those that express purpose, doubt, or time when the action has not yet occurred.

	Spanish Clause	English Clause	Spanish Clause	English Clause
	porque llovía	because it was raining	aunque llueva	although it rains / although it may rain
	cuando llegué	when I arrived	si tengo tiempo	if I have time
	para que estudies	so that you study	antes de que salgas	before you leave
	desde que empezó	since it started	después de que terminemos	after we finish
	mientras esperamos	while we wait	como no viniste	since you didn't come

Which clause order requires a comma?

subordinate clause first, then main clause

main clause first, then subordinate clause

never use a comma with subordinate clauses

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Subjunctive

Use the subjunctive after conjunctions like para que, antes de que, aunque (when meaning "even if" or when the action is pending), antes de que, and cuando (when referring to future or hypothetical actions). Use the indicative when the action is habitual or completed.

When should you use the subjunctive after a conjunction?

when the subordinate clause states a general truth

after certain conjunctions like 'para que', 'antes de que', 'Aunque' (in some uses)

for actions that have not yet occurred

for completed past actions

to express purpose or intent

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Examples

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Summary

Subordinating conjunctions connect ideas and signal relationships like time, cause, condition, and purpose. Pay attention to whether the subjunctive or indicative is needed and practice using them in sentences so you can express complex thoughts clearly.

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