In French, subordinators form a distinct lexical category and include words such as que (that) and si (whether/if).
Semantically, they are primarily functional, serving to connect the subordinate clause to the main clause without adding significant meaning themselves.
In French linguistics, the term subordonnant is commonly used to include, along with subordinators, relative pronouns, and prepositions.
A major difference is that the subordinators are semantically empty, while other words – such as comme ("like"), lorsque ("when"), puisque ("since") – that have been loosely described as conjonctions de subordination have particular meanings.
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