Words that are sometimes conjunctions can act as prepositions. The subordinating conjunctions BEFORE, AFTER and UNTIL can act as prepositions when they are followed by objects rather than dependent clauses. Remember that a clause has a subject … [Read more...]
Conjunctions: Subordinating
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent (subordinate) clauses and join the dependent clause to the independent or main clause in a sentence. (A dependent clause has a subject and verb, but it depends on the independent clause for context and … [Read more...]
Dependent Clauses
The dependent clause includes a subject and a verb. The dependent clause is the subordinate idea of the sentence. It is dependent on another clause for meaning and context. Many dependent clauses, when removed from the context of the sentence, … [Read more...]
Small Things That Matter #1: “If” vs. “Whether”
I have decided to begin a new series of posts entirely dedicated to the little BUT IMPORTANT elements of English writing that seemed to have disappeared from the K-12 system I am starting with “if” and “whether” not because I think it is the most … [Read more...]