Conjunctions and Linking Words List

UNLESS
	CONJUNCTION (CONDITION)	CN01 CN10 CN01
#1	Used in conditional sentences = 'if ... not' in the sense of ‘except if’: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + UNLESS + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + UNLESS + SUBJECT + VERB
#1		She will fail unless she works harder. FUTURE SIMPLE + UNLESS + PRESENT SIMPLE

IN SPITE OF/DESPITE
	PREPOSITION (CONTRAST)	CN01 CN08 CN10 CN01
#1	Used to express a contrast between two things = 'regardless of' or 'even though': IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + (PRONOUN) + NOUN + COMMA + S + V (IC) [R]	IN SPITE OF + NOUN + COMMA + IC
#1		In spite of/Despite the frost, the pitch was playable. WE NEVER USE 'OF' WITH 'DESPITE'
#2	Both 'in spite of' and 'despite' can be followed by an -ing form (gerund): S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + IN SPITE OF/DESPITE + GERUND [R]	IC + IN SPITE OF + GERUND
#2		He's an ordinary bloke in spite of/despite being famous. 'IN SPITE' IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY 'OF'

	PREPOSITION (CONTRAST)	CN02 CN02
#3	To introduce a clause with 'in spite of' or 'despite', we have to add 'the fact that': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + IN SPITE OF/DESPITE THE FACT THAT + S + V [R]	IC + IN SPITE OF THE FACT + SUBJECT + VERB
#3		He was good at maths in spite of/despite the fact that he found it boring. 'IN SPITE OF' AND 'DESPITE' MEANS EXACTLY THE SAME

BECAUSE (OF)
	CONJUNCTION (REASON)	CN01 CN08 CN01
#1	Used to give a reason for something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BECAUSE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + BECAUSE + SUBJECT + VERB
#1		She cried because she had hurt her knee. IT IS NEVER FOLLOWED BY 'OF'

	PREPOSITION (REASON)	CN01 CN01
#2	As a result of someone or something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BECAUSE OF + (PRONOUN) NOUN/NOUN PHRASE [R]	IC + BECAUSE OF + NOUN
#2		The game was cancelled because of the rain. IT IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY 'OF'
#3	As a result of someone or something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BECAUSE OF + GERUND [R]	IC + BECAUSE OF + GERUND
#3		He was tired because of working too hard. IT IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY 'OF'

ALTHOUGH/EVEN THOUGH/THOUGH
	CONJUNCTION (CONTRAST)	CN01 CN06 CN08 CN10 CN01
#1	Used to introduce a statement that makes your main statement seem surprising: ALTHOUGH/EVEN THOUGH/THOUGH + S + V (DP) + COMMA + S + V (IC) [R]	ALTHOUGH + SUBJECT + VERB + COMMA
#1		Although/Even though/Though she is young, she is very independent.

WHETHER ... OR ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN01 CN01
#1	Used to stress that an alternative (positive or negative) makes no difference: WHETHER + S + V + OR + NOT [R]	WHETHER + SUBJECT + VERB + OR + NOT
#1		We are going to the beach whether it rains or not. SHOWING INDIFFERENCE

IF
	CONJUNCTION (CONDITION)	CN02 CN08 CN02
#1	Used to introduce a conditional clause: IF + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) + COMMA + S + WILL + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IF + SUBJECT + VERB + COMMA + IC
#1		If you don't hurry, we'll be late. CONDITIONAL CLAUSE + COMMA + MAIN CLAUSE

	CONJUNCTION (REPORTING QUESTIONS)	CN06
#2	Used after 'ask, know, find out, wonder', etc. to introduce one of two or more possibilities = 'whether': REPORTING VERB + IF/WHETHER + S + V	RV + IF + SUBJECT + VERB
#2		He asked her if she spoke English. REPORTING VERB + IF/WHETHER + CLAUSE

BUT
	CONJUNCTION (CONTRAST)	CN02 CN08 CN02
#1	Used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + BUT + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	IC + COMMA + BUT + IC
#1		I wanted to go , but I was too tired. BUT = COORDINATING CONJUNCTION

HOWEVER
	CONJUNCTION (MANNER)	CN02 CN08 CN02
#1	Used as a subordinating conjunction when it means 'in whatever way': HOWEVER + SUBJECT + VERB + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE [R]	HOWEVER + SUBJECT + VERB + COMMA + IC
#1		However you look at it, it's going to cost a lot. HOWEVER = NO MATTER HOW

	ADVERB (CONTRAST)	CN07 CN08
#2	Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + SEMICOLON + HOWEVER + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	IC + SEMICOLON + HOWEVER + COMMA + IC
#2		I asked Jim; however, I'm not convinced he knows. SEMICOLON + HOWEVER + COMMA
#3	Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + FULL STOP + HOWEVER + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	IC + FULL STOP + HOWEVER + COMMA + IC
#3		I asked Jim. However, I'm not convinced he knows. FULL STOP + HOWEVER + COMMA

AS
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN02 CN02
#1	Used to describe two things happening at the same time or something happening at a particular time = 'while' or 'when': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + AS + SUBJECT + VERB + DC
#1		I saw Ann as I was getting off the bus. TWO ACTIONS HAPPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY

UNTIL/TILL
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN02 CN09 CN02
#1	Up to the event or action mentioned: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + UNTIL/TILL + EVENT/ACTION + DEPENDENT CLAUSE	IC + UNTIL + SUBJECT + VERB
#1		We have to wait here until/till she arrives. UNTIL/TILL + EVENT

DURING
	PREPOSITION (TIME)	CN03 CN10
#1	Within a particular period of time (=in) => during/in the night, during/in May, during/in my career, etc.: DURING + PERIOD OF TIME	DURING + PERIOD OF TIME
#1		People shop for Christmas gifts during/in December. DURING/IN + A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME
#2	Activity, event or experience (= not a period of time), during a meeting, during her illness, during a visit, during the whole (of), etc.: DURING + (PRONOUN) + NOUN/NOUN PHRASE	DURING + PRONOUN + NOUN
#2		I only saw her once during my stay in Rome.DURING + NOT A PERIOD OF TIME

WHILE/WHILST
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN03 CN09
#1	During the time that sth is happening, at the same time as sth else is happening: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + WHILE/WHILST + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + WHILE + PRONOUN + VERB
#1		He contracted malaria while/whilst he was travelling. ACTIONS/EVENTS HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME
#2	We can use an -ing form directly after 'while': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + WHILE/WHILST + GERUND (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + WHILE + GERUND
#2		I saw a cat while/whilst walking to the shop. REDUCED CLAUSE

SO ... THAT/SO (THAT)
	CONJUNCTION (RESULT)	CN03
#1	Used when emphasizing the degree or amount of sth by saying what the result is: SO + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + THAT + CLAUSE	SO + ADVERB + THAT
#1		He spoke so quietly that I could hardly hear him. RESULT

	CONJUNCTION (PURPOSE)	CN04
#2	In order to make something happen or be possible: SO (THAT) + SUBJECT + MODAL VERB + BASE VERB	SO THAT + SUBJECT + MODAL VERB + BASE VERB
#2		I stepped aside so that she might come in. PURPOSE

AS WELL AS
	CONJUNCTION (ADDITION)	CN03
#1	Used to add extra information in a sentence: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + NOUN + AS WELL AS + NOUN [R]	NOUN + AS WELL AS + NOUN
#1		She speaks Spanish as well as English. ADDS AN EXTRA SUBJECT OR OBJECT
#2	When we put a verb after 'as well as', we usually use the -ing form: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS WELL AS + GERUND [R]	CLAUSE + AS WELL AS + GERUND
#2		He is a talented painter as well as being a musician. DESCRIBES TWO PARALLEL ACTIVITIES

DUE TO/OWING TO
	PREPOSITION (REASON)	CN03 CN04
#1	Because of something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + DUE TO/OWING TO + (PRONOUN) + NOUN PHRASE [R]	IC + DUE TO + NOUN PHRASE
#1		The game was cancelled due to/owing to torrential rain.
#2	Most people avoid using 'owing to' after the verb 'be': BE + DUE TO + (PRONOUN) + NOUN PHRASE	BE + DUE TO + PRONOUN + NOUN
#2		The accident was due to her negligence. BE + DUE TO

AND
	CONJUNCTION (COORDINATING)	CN03 CN08
#1	Used to join two parts of a sentence: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AND + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + AND + IC
#1		The sun was shining and the breeze was cool.
#2	Used to join two phrases: PHRASE + AND + PHRASE	PHRASE + AND + PHRASE
#2	Used to join two phrases: PHRASE + AND + PHRASE	Her best friend and her mother's cousin both come from Ireland.
#3	Used to join two words: WORD + AND + WORD	WORD + AND + WORD
#3	Used to join two words: WORD + AND + WORD	Mark and Wendy went up the hill.

AS THOUGH/AS IF
	CONJUNCTION (MANNER)	CN04
#1	Describes an unreal or improbable situation in the present. It is followed by an unreal tense (past simple or past perfect): S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS THOUGH/AS IF + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE)	IC + AS THOUGH + SUBJECT + VERB
#1		He looks as though/as if he knew the answer. AS THOUGH/AS IF + PAST SIMPLE = PRESENT

WHEN
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN04
#1	Used to say at what time sth happened or will happen: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + WHEN + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + WHEN + SUBJECT + VERB
#1		She smiled when she walked into the room. CONNECTS TWO ACTIONS

BESIDES
	PREPOSITION	CN04 CN10
#1	In addition to somebody/something; apart from somebody/something: BESIDES + GERUND + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	BESIDES + GERUND + COMMA + IC
#1		Besides being heartbroken, she felt foolish. BESIDES + GERUND

NEITHER ... NOR ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN05 CN10
#1	Used to say both options are not true. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun: NEITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + NOR + SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB	NEITHER + SN + NOR + SN + SV
#1		Neither Steve nor his wife was at home. HIS WIFE = CLOSEST NOUN + SINGULAR VERB
#2	Used to say both options are not true. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun:: NEITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + NOR + PLURAL NOUN + PLURAL VERB	NEITHER + SN + NOR + PN + PV
#2		Neither Steve nor his kids were at home. HIS KIDS = CLOSEST NOUN + PLURAL VERB

EITHER ... OR ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN05
#1	Used to show a choice of two things. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun: EITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + OR + SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB	EITHER + SN + OR + SN + SV
#1		Either my father or my brother is coming. MY BROTHER = CLOSEST NOUN + SV
#2	Used to show a choice of two things. The verb should agree with the closest noun, subject or pronoun: EITHER + SINGULAR NOUN + OR + PLURAL NOUN + PLURAL VERB	EITHER + SN + OR + PN + PV
#2		Either my father or my brothers are coming. MY BROTHERS = CLOSEST NOUN + PV

BOTH ... AND ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN05 CN10
#1	Refers to two things or people together = 'not only… but also…'. When joining two singular subjects, the subject becomes plural: BOTH + NOUN + AND + NOUN + PLURAL VERB	BOTH + NOUN + AND + NOUN + PV
#1		Both the mother and the baby are doing well. SN + SN = PV

NOT ONLY ... (BUT) ALSO ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN05
#1	Used to say that both of two related statements are true: SUBJECT + NOT ONLY + VERB + BUT ALSO + VERB	SUBJECT + NOT ONLY + VERB + BUT ALSO + VERB
#1		He not only studies hard but also works well.
#2	Used to say that both of two related statements are true: SUBJECT + VERB + NOT ONLY + NOUN/ADJECTIVE + BUT ALSO + NOUN/ADJECTIVE	SUBJECT + VERB + NOT ONLY + NOUN + BUT ALSO + NOUN
#2		He is not only a novelist but also a poet.

WOULD RATHER/SOONER ... THAN ...
	PHRASE	CN05
#2	Used to say that you would prefer to do or have something = 'would prefer to': SUBJECT + WOULD RATHER/SOONER + BARE INFINITIVE + THAN + BARE INFINITIVE	SUBJECT + WOULD RATHER + BI + THAN + BI
#2		We would rather/sooner play than work.

ON ACCOUNT OF
	PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE (REASON)	CN06
#1	Because of something: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + ON ACCOUNT OF + (PRONOUN) NOUN/NOUN PHRASE [R]	IC + ON ACCOUNT OF + NOUN PHRASE
#1		He retired early on account of ill health. REASON OR CAUSE
#2	Because of something: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + ON ACCOUNT OF + GERUND [R]	IC + ON ACCOUNT OF + GERUND
#2		She was late on account of missing the bus. REASON

IN CASE OF/IN THE EVENT OF
	PHRASE	CN06
#1	When something happens, or in preparation for when something happens: IN CASE OF/IN THE EVENT OF + NOUN + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE [R]	IN CASE OF + NOUN + COMMA + IC
#1		In case of/in the event of an emergency, push the button.

SO AS (NOT) TO/IN ORDER TO
	PHRASE (PURPOSE)	CN06
#1	Used to give the reason for doing something: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + SO AS TO/IN ORDER TO + BI (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + SO AS TO + DC
#1		They went early so as to/in order to get good seats.

AS/SINCE
	CONJUNCTION (RESULT)	CN06 CN07 CN08
#1	Used when we want to focus more on the result than the reason = 'because': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS/SINCE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + AS + DC
#1		We should go home as/since it's getting late. RESULT + AS/SINCE + REASON

AS/SO LONG AS/PROVIDED THAT
	PHRASE (CONDITION)	CN07
#1	Used to express conditions, possible results, and requirements = 'only if': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + AS LONG AS + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + AS LONG AS + DC
#1		He'll go as long as/provided that the weather is good. IC + AS LONG AS/PROVIDED THAT + DC (CONDITION)

MOREOVER/IN ADDITION
	ADVERB/PHRASE (ADDITION)	CN07
#1	Often used to start a new sentence when you want to mention another person or thing after sth else: MOREOVER/IN ADDITION + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	MOREOVER + C0MMA + IC
#1		In addition/Moreover, the problem of antibiotic resistance is global.

NEVERTHELESS/NONETHELESS
	ADVERB (CONTRAST)	CN07
#1	Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + SEMICOLON + NEVERTHELESS/NONETHELESS + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE)	IC + SEMICOLON + NEVERTHELESS + COMMA + IC
#1		The test was very difficult; nonetheless, she earned a high grade.
#2	Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + FULL STOP + NEVERTHELESS/NONETHELESS + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE)	IC + FULL STOP + NEVERTHELESS + COMMA + IC
#2		The test was very difficult. Nevertheless, she earned a high grade.

NO SOONER ... THAN ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN07
#1	Used to show that one event happens right after another: NO SOONER + HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE + THAN + PAST SIMPLE	NO SOONER + HAD + SUBJECT + PP + THAN + PS
#1		No sooner had we arrived at the station than the train came. INVERSION

HARDLY ... WHEN/BEFORE ...
	CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION	CN07
#1	Used to show that one event happens right after another: HARDLY + HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE + WHEN/BEFORE + PAST SIMPLE	HARDLY + HAD + SUBJECT + PP + WHEN + PS
#1		Hardly had we arrived at the station when/before the train came. INVERSION

WOULD PREFER TO ... RATHER THAN ...
	PHRASE	CN07
#1	Used to say that you would prefer to do or have sth = 'would rather/sooner': SUBJECT + WOULD PREFER + TO-INFINITIVE + RATHER THAN + BARE INFINITIVE	SUBJECT + WOULD PREFER + TO-INF + RATHER THAN + BI
#1		We would prefer to play rather than work.

ONCE
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN07
#1	From the moment when = 'as soon as'. We don’t use 'shall' or 'will' in the clause with 'once': ONCE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) + COMMA + S + WILL + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	ONCE + SUBJECT + VERB + COMMA + SUBJECT + WILL
#1		Once he passes his exams, he will be qualified. ONCE + PRESENT SIMPLE + COMMA + FUTURE SIMPLE

INSTEAD OF
	PREPOSITION (OPPOSITION)	CN07
#1	In place of sb or sth = 'rather than'. Don't confuse 'instead of' with 'instead': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + INSTEAD OF + (PRONOUN) + NOUN [R]	IC + INSTEAD OF + NOUN
#1		I'll have coffee instead of tea. INSTEAD + NOUN
#2	In place of sb or sth = 'rather than'. Don't confuse 'instead of' with 'instead': S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + INSTEAD OF + GERUND [R]	IC + INSTEAD OF + GERUND
#2		He went alone instead of waiting for me. INSTEAD + GERUND

RATHER THAN
	PHRASE (OPPOSITION)	CN07
#1	In place of someone or something = 'instead of': NOUN + RATHER THAN + NOUN	NOUN + RATHER THAN + NOUN
#1		I chose to learn Spanish rather than German.
#2	In place of someone or something = 'instead of': GERUND + RATHER THAN + GERUND	GERUND + RATHER THAN + GERUND
#2		She enjoys singing rather than dancing.
#3	In place of someone or something = 'instead of': VERB + RATHER THAN + VERB	VERB + RATHER THAN + VERB
#3		He decided to walk rather than drive.

SO
	CONJUNCTION (COORDINATING)	CN08 CN10
#1	used to connect two clauses and show a result or a purpose = 'therefore': INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + SO + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	IC + COMMA + SO + IC
#1		She was tired, so she went to bed early.

BEFORE
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN09
#1	When we use 'before' in clauses in the present tense, the clause can refer to the future: S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + BEFORE + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	IC + BEFORE + DC
#1		He will finish this report before he goes home. FUTURE SIMPLE + BEFORE + PRESENT SIMPLE

AFTER
	CONJUNCTION (TIME)	CN09
#1	Used to show that one action happens later than another event: AFTER + S + V (DEPENDENT CLAUSE) + COMMA + S + V (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) [R]	AFTER + DC + COMMA + IC
#1		After Ann finishes work, she will go home. AFTER + PRESENT SIMPLE + COMMA + FUTURE SIMPLE

SPECIAL NOTES
#1	You should never use "but" and "although" in the same sentence because both words express contrast:	Although she was tired, but she kept working.
#1		Although she was tired, she kept working.	She was tired, but she kept working.

#2	We don't use "because" and "so" in the same sentence. 'Because' shows a reason, while 'so' shows a result:	Because I was ill, so I took a day off.
#2		Because I was ill, I took a day off.	I was ill, so I took a day off.

#3	'Scarcely', 'barely' and 'hardly' is followed by 'when' or 'before':	Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had we arrived at the station than the train came.
#3		Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had we arrived at the station when/before the train came.

#4	We can use 'due to' after 'to be' verb, but not 'owing to':	The accident was owing to bad weather.
#4	We can use 'due to' after 'to be' verb, but not 'owing to':	The accident was due to bad weather.

#5	'Neither ... nor ...' is already negative on its own, so adding another negative word like 'not' or 'don't' creates a grammatical double negative:	I don't like neither tea nor coffee.
#5		I like neither tea nor coffee.

#6	'Instead of' must be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) or a noun because 'of' is a preposition:	She stayed at home instead of to go out.
#6		She stayed at home instead of going out.

#7	In time clauses with words like 'after, before, once, when, while and until', we often use present tense forms to talk about the future:	Once the report will be ready, we will send it.
#7		Once the report is ready, we will send it.

#8	In negative sentences, we nearly always use the structure with 'so as not to' or 'in order not to':	He cut across the fields not to be late.
#8		He cut across the fields so as not to/in order not to be late.

#9	We use 'during', and not 'in', when we are talking about an activity, event or experience:	I only saw her once in my stay in Rome.
#9		I only saw her once during my stay in Rome.

#10	When we put a verb after 'as well as', we usually use the -ing form:	As well as she broke her finger, she hurt her leg.
#10		As well as breaking her finger, she hurt her leg.

#11	We prefer 'when' to refer to ages and periods of life:	Adam fell for football while/as he was a small boy.
#11	We prefer 'when' to refer to ages and periods of life:	Adam fell for football when he was a small boy.

#12	We use a comma when both sides of 'but' have a subject and a verb and could stand alone as separate sentences:	She wanted to go to the cinema but she was too tired.
#12		She wanted to go to the cinema, but she was too tired.

#13	Before to-infinitives, use only the word 'whether', not the word 'if':	They were deliberating if to buy a new car.
#13		They were deliberating whether to buy a new car.

#14	‘Both’ is complimented by ‘and’, not by ‘as well as’:	Both the teacher as well as the students were excited.
#14	‘Both’ is complimented by ‘and’, not by ‘as well as’:	Both the teacher and the students were excited.

When a coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses, we use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
S+V		COORDINATING CONJUNCTION	S+V
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	COMMA	and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet	INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + COMMA + COORDINATING CONJUNCTION + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
The film was over four hours long, yet I never felt bored.

Usually, there is no comma between clauses if the independent clause precedes the dependent clause.
S+V		SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION	S+V
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	NO COMMA	after, although, as, as far as, as if, as long as, as soon as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, every time, if, in order that, provided that, since, so, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while	DEPENDENT CLAUSE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION + DEPENDENT CLAUSE
I will make this radio work even if I have to stay up all night.

When the subordinating clause comes at the beginning of the sentence then you need a comma to separate the clauses.
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION	S+V		S+V
after, although, as, as far as, as if, as long as, as soon as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, every time, if, in order that, provided that, since, so, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while	DEPENDENT CLAUSE	COMMA	INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION + DEPENDENT CLAUSE + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Whenever she gets into a relationship, she always falls madly in love.

We use a semicolon when we join two independent clauses together with one of the following adverbial conjunctions:
S+V		ADVERBIAL CONJUNCTION		S+V
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	SEMICOLON	also, consequently, however, in addition, moreover, nevertheless, nonetheless, otherwise, therefore, thus	COMMA	INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + SEMICOLON + ADVERBIAL CONJUNCTION + COMMA + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
He was the only candidate; therefore, he was elected.