19.3 - Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions can have a number of functions, expressing causation, time or period, space, aim, condition, purpose, admissibility, comparison, degree, consequence and elucidation.
The pronouns which serve as conjunctions in relative clauses (хто, що, чий, який, котрий) were presented on page 18.6. The use in subordinate clauses (in indirect speech) of adverbs/conjunctions such as де, звідки, куди, коли, доки is broadly similar to usage in English.
Listed below are some other frequently used subordinating conjunctions, with meanings and some examples of their use (this is by no means an exhaustive list):
| тому що; бо через те, що |
because, since | «Тому що я
так хочу» "Because I Say So" (title of film) |
| тому | therefore, that is why | Пожежники страйкують і тому поставили намети
перед мерією. The firemen are on strike and that is why they have put up tents in front of the town hall. |
| хоч; хоча | although | Світова економіка одужує, хоча не зрозуміло, чи
надовго. The world economy is recovering, although it's not clear for how long. |
| щоб (щоби); аби | in order to, in order that | Було би доцільно, щоби прийшов новий парламент. It would be desirable that there should be a new parliament. |
| якщо | if (present/ future) | |
| якщо б; якби | if (past/conditional) | |
| ніби; мов; немов; неначе | as if | Колишні жителі села з'їхалися, немов одна
велика родина. The former residents of the village had a reunion like one big family. |
| хай; нехай | let ..., may ..., should | Скажіть їм, хай не бояться. Tell them not to (that they should not) be afraid. |
| ніж; аніж | than (in comparison) | Цей годинник виглядає дорожче, ніж коштує. This watch looks more expensive than it is. |
| оскільки | as, inasmuch as, insofar as | Україна не може бути нейтральною, оскільки
самотужки не забезепечить свою обороноздатність. Ukraine cannot be neutral, as it cannot single-handedly ensure its defence readiness. |
| щойно як | not until, only ... when, once | Щойно як кераміка добре просохне, її ставлять у
піч. The pottery is only put in the kiln when it is completely dry. |
| як тільки | as soon as | Як тільки місто отримає кошти, то мер буде ремонтувати
дороги. As soon as the municipality receives the funding, the mayor will start repairing the roads. |
| після того, як | when, once, after | Стабільність в Україні настане після того, як
відбудуться вибори. Stability in Ukraine will come about once the elections have taken place. |
| перед тим, як | before | Про що ви думали перед тим, як заснули? What were you thinking of before you fell asleep? |
| що аж | so (such) ... that | Місто так завзято ремонтували, що аж пошкодили
97 унікальних будинків. The city was renovated with such gusto that 97 unique buildings were damaged. |
| так що | so (that) | Все буде добре, так що будьте спокійні. Everything will be fine, so don't worry. |
| незважаючи на те, що | despite the fact that, even though | Незважаючи на те, що гравець отримав
пошкодження у грі з
«Динамо», він вірить, що буде готовий до фіналу. Even though the player was injured during the game with "Dynamo", he believes he will be fit for the final. |
To practise using conjunctions go to Exercise 19.3A. To check whether you have understood the sentences, do Exercise 19.3B.