Type of clause

Common conjunctions

Function

Example

time

Conjunctions answering the question "when?", such as: when, before, after, since, while, as, as long as, till, until, etc.;

or the paired (correlative) conjunctions: hardly...when, scarcely...when, barely...when, no sooner...than^[3]

These clauses:

Say when something happens by referring to a period or point of time, or to another event.

Her goldfish died when she was young.

He came after night had fallen.

We barely had gotten there when mighty Casey struck out.

He told us his adventures in Arctic as we went along.

condition

if, unless, lest, provided that

Talk about a possible or counterfactual situation and its consequences.

If they lose weight during an illness, they soon regain it afterwards.

purpose

in order to, so that, in order that, in case

Indicate the purpose of an action.

They had to take some of his land so that they could extend the churchyard.

reason

because, since, as, given

Indicate the reason for something.

I couldn't feel anger against him because I liked him too much.

concession

although, though, while

Make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising.

I used to read a lot, though I don't have much time for books now.

place

Answering the question "where?": where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere, etc.

Talk about the location or position of something.

He said he was happy where he was.

comparison

as...as, than, as

State comparison of a skill, size or amount, etc.

Johan can speak English as fluently as his teacher.

She is a better cook than I.

manner

Answering the question, "how"?: as, like

Talk about someone's behavior or the way something is done.

I was never allowed to do things as I wanted to do.

He spent a lot of money as if he was very rich.

results

so...that, such...that

Indicate the result(s) of an act or event.

My suitcase had become so damaged that the lid would not stay closed.