Subordinating conjunctions (onderschikkende voegwoorden) are words that connect a subordinate clause (bijzin) to a main clause (hoofdzin). They introduce the subordinate clause and signal that the finite verb will move to the end of that clause.

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions learned at A2 level:

1. dat (that)

• Use: Introduces clauses reporting speech, thoughts, feelings, or facts.
• Example: Ik denk dat het morgen regent. (I think that it will rain tomorrow.)
• Example: Zij zegt dat zij moe is. (She says that she is tired.)

1. omdat (because)

• Use: Introduces a clause giving a reason or cause.
• Example: Hij komt niet, omdat hij ziek is. (He isn't coming because he is sick.)

1. als (if / when)

• Use: Introduces a conditional clause (if) or a temporal clause (when, referring to a recurring or future situation).
• Example (condition): Als het regent, blijf ik binnen. (If it rains, I stay inside.)
• Example (time): Als ik tijd heb, bel ik je. (When I have time, I will call you.)
• Note: For a specific point in the past, use toen (when).

1. terwijl (while)

• Use: Introduces a clause indicating that two actions are happening simultaneously or to show a contrast.
• Example (simultaneous): Ik lees de krant, terwijl zij koffie drinkt. (I read the newspaper while she drinks coffee.)
• Example (contrast): Hij is rijk, terwijl zijn broer arm is. (He is rich, while his brother is poor.)

1. of (if / whether)

• Use: Introduces a clause reporting an indirect question or presenting alternatives.
• Example (indirect question): Ik weet niet of hij komt. (I don't know if/whether he is coming.)
• Example (alternative - less common as subordinating): Used more like 'or'.

1. voordat (before)

• Use: Indicates that the action in the main clause happens before the action in the subordinate clause.
• Example: Poets je tanden voordat je naar bed gaat. (Brush your teeth before you go to bed.)

1. nadat (after)

• Use: Indicates that the action in the main clause happens after the action in the subordinate clause. Often requires tense coordination (e.g., subordinate clause in perfect tense if main clause is simple past/present).
• Example: Nadat hij gegeten had, ging hij wandelen. (After he had eaten, he went for a walk.)
• Example (simpler): Nadat ik heb gewerkt, ga ik naar huis. (After I have worked, I go home.)

Key Reminder: When you use any of these conjunctions to start a subordinate clause, the finite verb of that clause MUST go to the end.

Compare with coordinating conjunctions like en (and), maar (but), want (because), of (or), dus (so), which connect two main clauses (or parts of equal value) and do not change the standard word order (verb in second position) of the clause they introduce.

• Hij is ziek, want hij heeft koorts. (want - coordinating -> verb heeft is second)
• Hij is ziek, omdat hij koorts heeft. (omdat - subordinating -> verb heeft is last)