First Published: 21st of April, 2021 by Patrick Carpen.
Last updated: April 21, 2021 at 13:21 pm
To understand this lesson, you need to understand:
- What is a clause.
- Independent Versus Dependent Clauses.
The subordinating conjunction is used to join a dependent clause to an independent clause thus forming a complex sentence. Remember that an independent clause can stand by itself, while a dependent clause can’t.
Here is an example:
Independent clause: I saw a jaguar.
Dependent clause: When I was in the Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana.
Subordinating conjunction: When
Complex Sentence:
I saw a jaguar when I was in the Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana.
Or:
When I was in the Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana, I saw a jaguar.
Notice that if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma is needed to separate the two. However, if the dependent clause comes after, no comma is needed (in most cases).
Here are some more examples of complex sentences formed by joining a dependent clause with an independent clause using a subordinating conjunction. The subordinating conjunction is set in bold, and the dependent clause is set in italics.
Even though Guyana has a large landmass, it has a small population of less than 1 million.
I’m going to Brazil even if I have to quit my job.
Before I leave, I will make sure my dogs are assigned to new owners.
If you travel to the south of Guyana, you will come to the north of Brazil.
You will enter the Brazilian city of Bonfim after you cross the Takutu River Bridge.
Once you get there, you should book a room at the Takutu Hotel.
Take a good rest so that you are refreshed for the next day’s trip.
Go to the taxi park that is in the center of town.
Whereas the bus charges a lower fee, the taxi gets there faster.
While traveling from Bonfim to Boa Vista, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
Good presentation and clear examples.
However, I am puzzled at the subject and verb of the main clause.
In other words, what is understood before the word ” …enjoy…”?