Basic Details
Word: Subordinating
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: In grammar, describing a word such as because, although or unless that joins a less important clause to the main one. As a verb, subordinating means treating something as less important than something else.
Antonyms: coordinating
How to Spell Subordinating
Syllables: sub - or - di - nat - ing
Tricky part: The vowels run o, i, a: sub-or-di-nat-ing. Students write suberdinating or subordenating, and some keep the e of subordinate before ing.
Watch out for: suberdinating, subordenating, subordinateing
Memory tip: Find the start of order inside it: sub + ord + inating. A subordinating word puts one clause lower in the order.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Since is a subordinating conjunction in the sentence We stayed in since it was raining.
Example 2: Our teacher circled every subordinating conjunction in the passage.
Example 3: He kept subordinating his own hobbies to his studies before the board exams.
Fun Fact
Sub is Latin for under and ordinare means to put in order, so the word literally means placing one thing in order beneath another.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct set of letters to complete the word:
sub_rd_n_ting
a) o, e, a
b) o, i, e
c) o, i, a
d) e, i, a
Show answer
c) o, i, a. Say it in beats - sub-or-di-nat-ing - and the vowels come out o, i and a.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. conjuction 2. clauze 3. subordinating 4. preposetion
a) a word that joins words or clauses
b) linking a less important clause to a main clause
c) a word that shows place or time, like in or under
d) a group of words with its own subject and verb
Show answer
b) linking a less important clause to a main clause. Conjunction needs the n after u, clause ends in se and preposition has an i after the s.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Words such as because, although and unless are gibusnoidnatr conjunctions.
a) substituting
b) subtracting
c) coordinating
d) subordinating
Show answer
d) subordinating. The jumble has a b, which coordinating lacks, and two n's, which subtracting and substituting lack; only subordinating uses all thirteen letters.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is a subordinating conjunction?
a) but
b) if
c) or
d) and
Show answer
b) if
2. A subordinating conjunction begins a clause that ____.
a) is always a question
b) must come first
c) has no verb
d) cannot stand alone as a sentence
Show answer
d) cannot stand alone as a sentence
