Dear Ed,

I would consider both "if" and "because" to be subordinating
conjunctions.

Both of the sentence below seem to be complex sentences to me.

R.E.

> Date:          Mon, 3 May 1999 14:29:57 -0400
> Reply-to:      Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
>                <[log in to unmask]>
> From:          EDWARD VAVRA <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject:       Subordination/Coordination
> To:            [log in to unmask]

> I recently read something that led me to ask all of you the following question:
>
> Do you consider "if" and "because" to be coordinating or subordinating conjunctions?  For example, consider the following two sentences:
>
> He wanted to know if it rained.
> and
> He was late because he forgot.
>
> Are they compound (two main clauses), or are they complex (a main clause and a subordinate clause)?
>
> I will appreciate your answers very much.
> Thanks,
> Ed V.
>