Prepositions introducing subordinate clauses

Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not quite clear to him.

Prepositions/subordinators

Subordinator	Example Sentence
after	He left after he had finished his work.
although	Although he was tired, he continued working.
as	As the sun set, the sky turned orange.
as soon as	She called me as soon as she arrived.
because	He stayed home because it was raining.
before	Finish your homework before you watch TV.
by the time	By the time we arrived, the event had started.
even if	Even if it rains, we will go hiking.
even though	Even though he apologized, she was still upset.
every time	Every time I see him, he smiles.
if	I’ll go if it’s sunny.
in case	Take an umbrella in case it rains.
in order that	He spoke slowly in order that everyone could understand.
in the event that	In the event that you are late, start without me.
just in case	Take extra batteries, just in case.
now that	Now that the report is ready, we can start the analysis.
once	Once you finish, you may leave.
only if	I’ll agree only if you help me.
provided that	We can proceed, provided that everyone agrees.
rather than	She chose to write, rather than to speak.
since	Since you’re here, let’s begin the meeting.
so that	Speak clearly so that everyone understands.
so long as	You may stay, so long as you follow the rules.
than	She is taller than I expected.
that	I know that he is honest.
though	Though it was raining, they went out.
until	Wait until I return.
when	Call me when you arrive.
whenever	You may ask questions whenever you like.
where	Go where you feel most comfortable.
whereas	He likes tea, whereas I prefer coffee.
wherever	Sit wherever you want.
whether	I don’t know whether he will come.
whether or not	I’ll go whether or not you join me.
while	She read a book while waiting.
why	I don’t know why he left early.

Subordinate concessive conjunctions

Conjunction	Type of contrast	Example	Nuance
although	factual contrast	Although it rained, we walked	neutral, standard
though	factual contrast	I walked, though it rained	informal, conversational
even though	strong unexpected contrast	Even though it poured, we walked	emphasizes surprise
whereas / while	comparison of facts	He likes tea, whereas I prefer coffee	shows difference between ideas
even if	hypothetical obstacle	I’ll walk even if it rains	main clause occurs despite condition
as though / as if	hypothetical, unreal	He acted as if he knew everything	suggests something contrary to reality
no matter (how/what/who/when/where)	limiting condition ignored	No matter what happens, I’ll stay	emphasizes inevitability of main clause

Despite, in spite of:

Both can not connect subordinate clause.

Conjunction	Type of contrast	Example	Nuance
despite	factual/real contrast	Despite the rain, we walked	formal, emphasizes main action over obstacle
in spite of	factual/real contrast	In spite of the rain, we walked	similar to “despite,” slightly less formal

Clarification of contrasts

Conjunction / Preposition	Works like although ?	Notes on differences	Can connect subordinate clause?
although	✅ Yes	Standard factual contrast, links clauses.	✅ Yes
though	✅ Mostly	Informal version of “although,” clause-linking. Can appear at the end.	✅ Yes
even though	✅ Yes, stronger	Emphasizes unexpected contrast more than “although.”	✅ Yes
whereas / while	⚠️ Partially	Compares two facts or situations; more about difference than unexpected contrast.	✅ Yes
even if	⚠️ No	Hypothetical contrast; focuses on “if it were true” rather than “it is true but surprising.”	✅ Yes
as though / as if	⚠️ No	Hypothetical/unreal contrast; suggests something contrary to reality.	✅ Yes
no matter (how/what/who/when/where)	⚠️ No	Emphasizes inevitability despite circumstances; not a simple factual contrast.	⚠️ Only with full clause introduced by “that” or as noun phrase
despite	⚠️ No	Preposition; introduces a noun/gerund, not a full clause. Expresses contrast formally.	❌ No
in spite of	⚠️ No	Same as “despite,” slightly less formal. Must be followed by noun/gerund.	❌ No

When “no matter” can coordinate:

No matter where you go, I will follow you. No matter where she lives, she stays in touch with her friends.

Although there are many obstacles, she keeps smiling (although always connects a subordinate)

And when not:

She keeps smiling no matter the obstacles.

She keeps smiling in spite of the obstacles (in spite of never connects a subordinate)