The Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinate or dependent clauses do not have equal status with the main clause but either modify the main clause in some way or are a part of the main clause. Causative subordinate clauses, for example, provide the cause of the state or action expressed in the main clause, e.g. I drink milk because I like cows. In this sentence the dependent clause, introduced by because, tells us why I like milk, where I like milk is the main clause. Russian subordinate clauses are very similar. Я люблю молоко, потому что я люблю коров.

In sentences like I thought that you liked milk, too, the subordinate clause is the direct object of the verb thought and hence a part of the main clause. Russian sentences reflect similar structures: Я думала, что ты тоже любишь молоко. Below is a list of the most common Russian conjunctions. To learn more about them, just click.

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© 1996 Robert Beard