I've always considered these to be subordinate (and so I was taught) - i.e. "complex." They still look that way to me now. Paul D. ---------- From: EDWARD VAVRA <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Subordination/Coordination Date: Monday, May 03, 1999 2:29 PM 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. ----------