The full set of subordinating conjunctions
I can build a sentence with two or more subordinate clauses
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Since it was raining, we stayed at home.
He walked as though nothing had happened.
Leave early so you don't miss the train.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
| कि | that | reporting, thinking |
| ताकि | so that | purpose, subjunctive |
| जैसे | as if, like | manner |
| मानो | as though | hypothetical comparison |
| चूँकि | since, given that | formal cause |
| बशर्ते कि | provided that | condition |
Hindi prefers the subordinate clause first when it is a condition or a time, and second when it is a report or a purpose. मानो and जैसे clauses follow the main verb.
Two कि clauses can nest: उसने कहा कि उसे लगता है कि बारिश होगी. This is ordinary and not felt as heavy.
Apply this grammar in B2 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsing ki where taki is needed, so a purpose reads as a report.
ki used where taki is meant
Purpose takes taki and a subjunctive.
mano used with an indicative
mano introduces an unreal comparison and takes the subjunctive.
Since it was raining, we stayed at home.
chunki is as bookish as poskolku.
He walked as though nothing had happened.
mano with the subjunctive for an unreal comparison.
Leave early so you don't miss the train.
taki for purpose, not ki.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in B2 course exercises
Kamta Prasad Guru's grammar, the standard prescriptive reference for Hindi morphology and syntax.
Yamuna Kachru's reference grammar; the descriptive account relied on for aspect, valency and clause structure.