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Subordinating conjunctions

C1Word Order · lesson 59 of 69

Where we only have a few co-ordinating conjunctions, the list of subordinating conjunctions is very long. The most common ones are mentioned below.

Subordinating conjunctions can render subordinate clauses that say something about the cause, consequence, condition, reason, time, manner, etc.

omdat | because (reason) | doordat | because (cause)

aangezien, daar | since, as | dan | than

zodat | so that (necessary outcome) | opdat\* | so that (intended outcome)

als | 1). if

2). as, like | zoals | as, like

mits | on the condition that | tenzij | unless

(\*) In colloquial Dutch, _opdat_ is often replaced by _zodat_. This is not entirely correct, as the latter refers to a necessary outcome, not to an intended outcome

voordat | before | nadat | after

terwijl | while | sinds, sedert | since (time)

toen | when (past) | wanneer | when (future)

zodra | as soon as | zolang | as long as

nu | now | indien | if

al, alhoewel, ofschoon | although | hoezeer | to which extent

voorzover | in sofar | 1) hoe ..., hoe...

  1. hoe..., des te... | the more... the more...

naarmate | the ... | naargelang | the ...

Just like in English, there are many possible combinations with _dat._ Below, only a few are listed.

dat | that | behalve dat | except that

laat staan dat | let go (that) | op voorwaarde dat | on the condition that

Subordinate conjunctions for [short subclauses](#/lesson/WordOrder.62)

om, ten einde | in order to | door | by

na | after | alvorens | before

zonder | without | in plaats van | instead of

All verbs in a subclause The relative clause
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