When learning Afrikaans, one essential aspect to grasp is the use of subordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions are words that link a dependent clause to an independent clause, thereby showing the relationship between the two. These words are crucial in constructing complex sentences and conveying more nuanced meanings. Understanding how to use subordinating conjunctions in Afrikaans can greatly enhance your fluency and comprehension.
Understanding Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to join an independent clause (a clause that can stand alone as a sentence) with a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence). In Afrikaans, like in English, these conjunctions help to provide additional information and context to the main clause.
For example:
– Ek sal kom **as** ek tyd het. (I will come **if** I have time.)
– Hy slaap **wanneer** hy moeg is. (He sleeps **when** he is tired.)
In these sentences, the subordinating conjunctions “as” and “wanneer” introduce the dependent clauses “ek tyd het” and “hy moeg is,” respectively.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions in Afrikaans
There are several subordinating conjunctions in Afrikaans that are frequently used. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. **Dat** (that)
2. **Omdat** (because)
3. **Alhoewel** (although)
4. **Terwyl** (while)
5. **Sodat** (so that)
6. **Tensy** (unless)
7. **As** (if)
8. **Wanneer** (when)
9. **Voordat** (before)
10. **Nadat** (after)
11. **Aangesien** (since)
12. **Sodra** (as soon as)
13. **Totdat** (until)
Examples and Usage
To better understand these subordinating conjunctions, let’s look at some examples and their usage in sentences:
1. **Dat** (that)
– Ek weet **dat** jy reg is. (I know **that** you are right.)
– Sy sê **dat** sy moeg is. (She says **that** she is tired.)
2. **Omdat** (because)
– Hy eet nie **omdat** hy siek is. (He is not eating **because** he is sick.)
– Ons bly tuis **omdat** dit reën. (We are staying home **because** it is raining.)
3. **Alhoewel** (although)
– **Alhoewel** dit koud is, gaan ons stap. (**Although** it is cold, we are going for a walk.)
– **Alhoewel** sy moeg is, werk sy nog steeds. (**Although** she is tired, she is still working.)
4. **Terwyl** (while)
– Hy kyk televisie **terwyl** hy eet. (He watches TV **while** he eats.)
– Sy luister na musiek **terwyl** sy studeer. (She listens to music **while** she studies.)
5. **Sodat** (so that)
– Ek werk hard **sodat** ek kan slaag. (I work hard **so that** I can succeed.)
– Sy leer **sodat** sy haar eksamen kan slaag. (She studies **so that** she can pass her exam.)
6. **Tensy** (unless)
– Ek sal kom **tensy** dit reën. (I will come **unless** it rains.)
– Jy kan gaan **tensy** jy iets anders wil doen. (You can go **unless** you want to do something else.)
7. **As** (if)
– Ek sal jou help **as** jy my vra. (I will help you **if** you ask me.)
– Hy sal kom **as** hy tyd het. (He will come **if** he has time.)
8. **Wanneer** (when)
– Hy slaap **wanneer** hy moeg is. (He sleeps **when** he is tired.)
– Ek eet **wanneer** ek honger is. (I eat **when** I am hungry.)
9. **Voordat** (before)
– Sy was haar hande **voordat** sy eet. (She washes her hands **before** she eats.)
– Ek moet die werk klaarmaak **voordat** ek kan rus. (I have to finish the work **before** I can rest.)
10. **Nadat** (after)
– Ons sal vertrek **nadat** ons geëet het. (We will leave **after** we have eaten.)
– Hy het gaan slaap **nadat** hy sy huiswerk gedoen het. (He went to sleep **after** he did his homework.)
11. **Aangesien** (since)
– **Aangesien** dit laat is, moet ons gaan. (**Since** it is late, we must go.)
– Ek bly tuis **aangesien** ek siek is. (I stay home **since** I am sick.)
12. **Sodra** (as soon as)
– Ek sal jou bel **sodra** ek tuis kom. (I will call you **as soon as** I get home.)
– Ons sal eet **sodra** die kos gereed is. (We will eat **as soon as** the food is ready.)
13. **Totdat** (until)
– Wag hier **totdat** ek terugkom. (Wait here **until** I come back.)
– Hy bly wakker **totdat** sy ouers huis toe kom. (He stays awake **until** his parents come home.)
Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
One of the key differences when using subordinating conjunctions in Afrikaans compared to English is the word order in subordinate clauses. In Afrikaans, the verb is moved to the end of the clause. This can be a bit tricky for English speakers to get used to, as it is different from the typical English sentence structure.
For example:
– English: I will come if I have time.
– Afrikaans: Ek sal kom **as** ek tyd **het**.
Notice how the verb “het” (have) is placed at the end of the subordinate clause in Afrikaans. This rule applies to all subordinate clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions.
Practice Sentences
To get a better grasp of this concept, let’s practice with a few sentences:
1. I will call you when I arrive.
– Ek sal jou bel **wanneer** ek aankom.
2. She stayed home because she was sick.
– Sy het tuis gebly **omdat** sy siek **was**.
3. We will wait here until you return.
– Ons sal hier wag **totdat** jy terugkom.
4. He studies hard so that he can pass his exams.
– Hy studeer hard **sodat** hy sy eksamens kan **slaag**.
5. She listens to music while she works.
– Sy luister na musiek **terwyl** sy werk.
Combining Subordinate and Main Clauses
When combining subordinate and main clauses, it’s essential to remember that the subordinate clause can either precede or follow the main clause. However, the placement of the verb in the subordinate clause remains the same—at the end.
For example:
– **Main clause first:** Ek sal kom **as** ek tyd **het**. (I will come if I have time.)
– **Subordinate clause first:** **As** ek tyd **het**, sal ek kom. (If I have time, I will come.)
Both structures are correct and commonly used in Afrikaans. The choice between them often depends on what the speaker wants to emphasize.
Advanced Usage of Subordinating Conjunctions
As you become more comfortable with basic subordinating conjunctions, you can explore more advanced structures and idiomatic expressions in Afrikaans. This can include using multiple subordinating conjunctions in a single sentence or incorporating them into more complex sentence structures.
For example:
– Ek dink **dat** ek nie kan kom nie **omdat** ek werk **het**. (I think **that** I cannot come **because** I have work.)
– **Alhoewel** dit laat is, sal ek wag **totdat** jy terugkom. (**Although** it is late, I will wait **until** you return.)
In these sentences, you can see how subordinating conjunctions are used to create complex and nuanced statements.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning to use subordinating conjunctions correctly can be challenging, and learners often make some common mistakes. Here are a few tips to help you avoid these pitfalls:
1. **Incorrect Verb Placement:** One of the most frequent errors is placing the verb incorrectly in the subordinate clause. Remember, the verb always goes at the end of the subordinate clause.
– Incorrect: Ek sal kom as ek het tyd.
– Correct: Ek sal kom as ek tyd het.
2. **Mixing Up Subordinating Conjunctions:** Some subordinating conjunctions may seem similar but have different meanings. Make sure to use the correct conjunction for the context.
– Incorrect: Sy het gebly omdat dit reën. (She stayed because it rains.)
– Correct: Sy het gebly omdat dit gereën het. (She stayed because it rained.)
3. **Forgetting the Negative Form:** In Afrikaans, when negating a subordinate clause, you need to use “nie” twice—once after the verb and once at the end of the clause.
– Incorrect: Ek dink dat ek nie kan kom.
– Correct: Ek dink dat ek nie kan kom nie.
Conclusion
Mastering subordinating conjunctions in Afrikaans is a vital step in becoming fluent in the language. These conjunctions allow you to create complex sentences and express detailed thoughts, making your communication more effective and nuanced. By understanding common subordinating conjunctions, practicing their usage, and being mindful of word order, you can significantly improve your Afrikaans grammar skills.
Remember, practice is key to mastering any new language concept. Try to incorporate subordinating conjunctions into your daily conversations and written exercises. With time and effort, you’ll find that using these conjunctions becomes second nature, and your overall proficiency in Afrikaans will greatly benefit.
Happy learning!
