CLASSES OF SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS

350. Most subordinate conjunctions are used to make adverb clauses. These clauses will answer some one of the questions answered by adverbs. They will tell how, when, where or why the action expressed in the verb in the principal clause occurred. There are six classes of these subordinate conjunctions which are used to introduce adverb clauses. They introduce:

351. Adverb clause of time. These clauses will answer the question when and are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, before, since, as, while, until, when, after and as soon as. Notice in the following sentences the difference made in the meaning of the sentences by the use of the different conjunctions:

We waited until you came.
We waited after you came.
We waited as you came.
We waited before you came.
We waited since you came.
We left while you were gone.
We left when you were gone.
We left as soon as you were gone.

352. Adverb clause of place. These answer the question where, and are introduced by the conjunctions, where, whence, whither.

I will go where you go.
The wind blows whither it listeth.
He went whence he came.

353. Adverb clauses expressing cause or reason. These will answer the question why. They are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, because, for, since, as, whereas, inasmuch as, etc.

Note the difference in the meaning of the following sentences expressed by the use of different conjunctions:

I will come because you expect me.
I will come since you expect me.
I will come as you expect me.
I will come for you expect me.
I will come inasmuch as you expect me.

354. Adverb clauses of manner. These clauses will answer the question how, and are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, as, as if, as though, etc.

Study as though you were in earnest.
Come as if you had been called.
Do as I say, not as I do.

In these clauses of manner, introduced by as if, and as though, were is used in the present form with either singular or plural subjects. For example:

He writes as if he were informed of the facts.
They talk as though they were confident of success.
You act as though I were your slave.

355. Adverb clauses of comparison. These clauses are introduced by the subordinate conjunctions than and as. The verbs are often omitted in these dependent clauses introduced by than and as. For example: He is taller than I. The complete sentence would be: He is taller than I am. He is not so tall as I. Here the sentence would be: He is not so tall as I am.

When the pronoun occurs in these dependent clauses, be sure to use the proper form of the pronoun. It may be the subject or the object of the verb which is not expressed. For example; it is incorrect to say: I am not so tall as him. The correct form is: I am not so tall as he. The complete sentence would be: I am not so tall as he is, and the pronoun should be in the subject form, for it is the subject of the verb is, which is understood and omitted.

The use of the subject or of the object form may make a difference in the meaning of your sentence. For example, you say: I admire them as much as he. You mean that you admire them as much as he admires them. But if you say, I admire them as much as him, you mean that you admire them as much as you admire him. Quite a different meaning!

Be careful in the use of your pronouns in this way, for you can express quite a different meaning. For example, if you say, I care more for you than he, you mean, I care more for you than he cares for you. But if you say, I care more for you than him, you mean, I care more for you than I care for him. A mistake like this might mean a great deal to you some time, if the one to whom you had been speaking had been studying a course in Plain English!

356. Adverb clauses of condition. These clauses are introduced by such conjunctions as, if, provided, supposing, unless, except, otherwise, though, notwithstanding, albeit, and whether. For example:

I will come if you need me.
I will come provided you need me.
I will go notwithstanding you need me.
I will not go unless I am called.
He will not go except he is called.
He will not go though he is called.
He came, otherwise I would go.
He will go whether you go or stay.

When subordinate clauses beginning with if, though or unless are joined to clauses containing might, could, would or should, the verb were is sometimes used with a singular subject, in such sentences as:

If this were true, I should know it.
Unless I were positive, I would not say so.
Though our leader were lost, yet we would not despair.
If he were here, he would explain it himself.
If I were with you, I might make you understand.

Sometimes in sentences like these, if is omitted in the clause, and the verb placed first. For example:

Were he here, he would deny these slanders.
Were he truly class-conscious, he would oppose this war.
Were this fact known, the people would never submit.

These clauses express something which is uncertain, or which is to be decided in the future; a supposition contrary to a fact or a wish. Occasionally you will find the verb be used instead of is, in clauses of this kind introduced by if, though, unless, except, lest, etc. For example:

If it be true, I will hear it.
Though he be guilty, we will not desert him.

In subordinate clauses connected by if, unless, etc., with a principal clause which expresses future time, the present form of the verb is used in the subordinate clause. For example:

If they are willing, we will join them.
Unless he comes, I shall not leave.
If it rains, we will not go.

357. Adverb clauses expressing purpose. These are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, that, in order that and lest. For example:

Take good care that you understand this lesson.
I will go today in order that I may meet him.
Watch these carefully lest they be stolen.
Read the labor press that you may know the truth.

Notice that that, when used in this way, as a pure conjunction, means in order that. For example, the sentence above might read:

Read the labor press in order that you may know the truth.

358. Adverb clauses expressing result. These are introduced by the subordinate conjunction that, as for example:

They were so late that I could not go.