Subordinate Conjunction Fragments

Subordinate clauses are word groups that have a subject and a verb and begin with a subordinating conjunction such as although, because, if, since, when, where, and while.  A subordinate clause fragment, also called subordinating conjunction fragment, leaves the reader wondering what comes next.

• Because it was raining
• When I’m feeling angry
• If I’m feeling blue

These word groups are not sentences.  Although they have a subject and a predicate, they do not complete a thought. For this reason, they are called dependent or subordinate clauses.

They can be fixed by adding more information. Remember, if you begin a sentence with a subordinating conjunction, it is considered introductory words and a comma is needed to separate the subordinate clause from the rest of the sentence.

• When I’m angry, I like to listen to music.

If the subordinating conjunction is in the middle, no comma is used since the words are no longer introducing the main clause.

• I call my best friend if I’m feeling blue.