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Subordinating Conjunctions

prepared by Mr. Walid Yousef

📚 Understanding the Grammar

The words after, as long as, as soon as, before, provided that, unless, and until act as bridges. They connect a dependent thought to a main idea.

⚠️

Crucial Rule: Future Time Clauses

When referring to the future, never use "will" after these words. Use the Present Simple instead.

✓ Correct: "I will call you as soon as I arrive."
✗ Incorrect: as soon as I will arrive
Time / Sequence

After

🕒

Shows that one event happens later than another.

  • I went to sleep after I finished my homework.
  • After she eats breakfast, she will go to work.
  • He felt better after he took the medicine.
Condition

As long as

🤝

"On the condition that". Often suggests duration.

  • You can go as long as you return by 10 PM.
  • I will help as long as you try your best.
  • As long as it rains, we stay inside.
Immediate

As soon as

Happens immediately after another event.

  • I'll call as soon as I get home.
  • As soon as he arrived, they stood up.
  • The baby stopped crying as soon as he saw mom.
Precedence

Before

⬅️

Shows one event happens earlier than another.

  • Wash your hands before you eat.
  • Before he left, he locked the door.
  • Finish before the deadline passes.
Formal Condition

Provided that

👔

A formal way of saying "if" or "only if".

  • You may drive provided that you have a license.
  • We will picnic provided that it doesn't rain.
  • Provided that all agree, we start now.
Negative Condition

Unless

🚫

Means "if... not" or "except if".

  • You will fail unless you study.
  • I won't go unless you come with me.
  • The plant will die unless you water it.
Time Limit

Until

Means "up to the time that".

  • Let's wait until the rain stops.
  • He worked until midnight.
  • Don't get off until it stops completely.

📝 Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with 30 questions

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