Chapter LXIX: Subordinate Conjunctions

=277.= We have learned that a dependent clause is often used as an adverb to modify a predicate. When so used, it is joined to the predicate it modifies by some connecting word.

Sometimes this connecting word is a conjunctive adverb, as was pointed out in Lesson LXVI, but more often it is some other word, as in the following sentences:—

Sheep are such senseless creatures _that_ they are liable to be
stampeded by the veriest trifle.

You cannot catch a muskrat _unless_ you put tar on his nose.

I love hens _because_ they are such good mothers.

What is the dependent clause in each of these sentences? What does it modify? What word joins it to that part of the sentence which it modifies?

These connecting words,—_that_, _unless_, and _because_,—are not adverbs, for they do not modify any word. They merely connect, hence they are conjunctions. Since they connect elements not alike, not equal in rank, they are called =subordinate conjunctions=.

=278.= There are many subordinate conjunctions. The most common are _after_, _although_, _as_, _because_, _before_, _for_, _if_, _in order that_, _lest_, _provided_, _since_, _so that_, _than_, _that_, _though_, _till_, and _unless_.

NOTE.—There is little distinction between the subordinate
conjunction and the conjunctive adverb. Both connect a
dependent to a principal clause; and some subordinate
conjunctions, like conjunctive adverbs, express time, cause, or
manner, etc. For this reason, _as_, _after_, _before_, _since_,
_till_, etc. are included by some authors among conjunctive
adverbs. Compare, “I came _when_ you called me” with “I came
_before_ you called me.”

=Summary.=—A =subordinate conjunction= is one that introduces a dependent clause, and joins it to that part of the sentence which it modifies.

=Exercise.=—Parse the conjunctions in the following sentences. Tell their class and what they join.

1. The four cubs, running down hill on their bellies, melted
into the thorn and underbrush as a mole melts into a lawn.

2. Boys will do any amount of work provided it is called play.

3. The great horned owl stood so erect and motionless that he
seemed a portion of the pine trunk itself.

4. Since the maples were cut down, the elms have flourished.

5. Androclus had not lain long quiet in the cavern, before he
heard a dreadful noise, which seemed to be the roar of some
wild beast, and terrified him very much.

6. Harry laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks.

7. Unless you have sat on a stone fence and beaten russet
apples soft on its hard top, you have missed one of the
greatest delicacies that the orchard gives.

8. I liked the doctor very much, for he would let me drive
around with him, and hold his horse while he made his
professional calls.

9. Fast the ivy stealeth on, though he wears no wings.

10. Even after the invitations were sent out, it seemed to
Dolly that the party day would never come.

11. The shawl doll was my favorite because it was more nearly
the size of a real baby.

12. The two young Cratchits crammed spoons into their mouths
lest they should shriek for goose before their turn came to be
helped.

13. A man would laugh if you told him that he had never really
seen a burdock.

Select all the verbs in the sentences above. Classify them as transitive or intransitive. Tell their voice, mode, and tense.

=279.= Some words may be used as conjunctions, as prepositions, or as adverbs.

=After.=

Conj.—I came _after_ you called me the second time.

Adv.—We look before and _after_, and pine for what is not.

Prep.—Let us walk to the lake _after_ school.

=Before.=

Conj.—The roosters woke me _before_ the sun rose.

Adv.—They had never seen mountains _before_.

Prep.—In winter we get up _before_ daylight.

=But.=

Conj.—I am weak, _but_ Thou art mighty.

Prep.—He relishes no fruit _but_ apples.

Adv.—We can _but_ die.

=Else.=

Conj.—You must tell the truth, _else_ you will not be trusted.

Adv.—How _else_ can we get to Berlin?

Adv.—Where _else_ shall I look for your glasses?

NOTE.—What part of speech is _else_ in the sentences, “What
_else_ can I do for you?” “Who _else_ was there?”

=For.=

Conj.—Work _for_ the night is coming.

Prep.—The faithful slave died _for_ his young master.

=Hence.=

Conj.—Smoke is coming out of the chimney, _hence_ the house
must be occupied.

Adv.—Let me go _hence_ and be no more seen.

=Only.=

Conj.—I should be glad to go, _only_ I have nothing to wear.

Adv.—I made the cake; mother _only_ baked it.

NOTE.—What part of speech is _only_ in the sentence, “Grace
is an _only_ child”?

=Since.=

Conj.—I have been happy _since_ you became my friend.

Prep.—Prices have never gone down _since_ the war.

Adv.—One day the dog disappeared, and he has never been heard
of _since_.

=So.=

Conj.—The baby monopolized her time, _so_ she withdrew from the
club.

Adv.—Don’t speak _so_ loud, Caroline.

=Till= or =Until.=

Conj.—Tarry thou _till_ I come.

Prep.—We work hard _until_ noon.

=Yet.=

Conj.—She speaks much, _yet_ she says very little.

Adv.—Has the case been settled _yet_?

Explain the use of each italicized word in the sentences above.

=280.= When we parse a preposition, we tell (1) what phrase it introduces, and (2) what words it shows a relation between; thus, “In the sentence, ‘I bring you tidings of great joy,’ the preposition _of_ introduces the adjective phrase _of great joy_, and shows a relation between its object _great joy_ and the noun _tidings_.”

=Exercise.=—Parse all the conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions in the following sentences:—

1. Roger Conant came over from England before 1630.

2. We had a cold spell in April, so the peach crop is small.

3. Our flag was still there.

4. The barn was strongly built, so it was made over into a good
house.

5. Ours is a government of the people, for the people, and by
the people.

6. Look before you leap.

7. Years have passed since anybody remembered my birthday.

8. The poet saw the daffodils beside the lake.

9. After the boy arrived in Richmond, he slept under a sidewalk.

10. Did anybody besides Rufus go with you to Janesville?

11. Mr. Micawber would pay his debts if something would only
turn up.

12. Jill came tumbling after.

13. The turkey was steamed first, else it would not have been
so tender.

14. The fern has grown fast since Easter.

15. I can’t paint well if you look over my shoulder.

16. There is nothing to breathe but air.

17. Wait till the clouds roll by.

18. Disappointments will surely come, yet they need not crush
us.

19. I will go before the king.

20. Did you make your will before you went round the world?