What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?

Hello, class! Today, we are going to learn about subordinating conjunctions. These are special words that help us join two parts of a sentence together. They make one part of the sentence less important than the other.

What Do They Do?

Subordinating conjunctions connect a main clause (which can stand alone as a sentence) with a subordinate clause (which cannot stand alone). This helps us add more information to our sentences.

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:

  • because
  • although
  • since
  • if
  • when
  • while
  • though

Examples in Sentences

  1. I will go to the park because it is sunny.
  2. Although it was raining, we played outside.
  3. I eat breakfast when I wake up.
  4. If you finish your homework, you can play games.

Key Rules

  1. Use a comma: When the subordinate clause comes first, use a comma before the main clause.
    • Example: Although it was cold, we went for a walk.
  2. No comma needed: If the main clause comes first, we do not use a comma.
    • Example: We went for a walk although it was cold.

Tips and Tricks

  • Remember, the subordinate clause adds extra information.
  • Think of it as a helper clause that tells us more about the main idea.
  • Try to use different subordinating conjunctions to make your writing more interesting!

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is a subordinating conjunction?
  2. Give an example of a subordinating conjunction.
  3. What do subordinating conjunctions connect?
  4. True or False: A subordinate clause can stand alone.
  5. Fill in the blank: I stayed indoors ______ it was raining. (because)
  6. Complete the sentence: I will go to the party _____ I finish my homework. (if)
  7. Write a sentence using “when.”
  8. What is an example of a sentence with “although”?
  9. Fill in the blank: _____ I was tired, I finished my homework. (though)
  10. True or False: “since” can be a subordinating conjunction.

Medium Level Questions

  1. Create a sentence using “while.”
  2. Why do we use a comma with subordinating conjunctions?
  3. Write a sentence where the subordinate clause comes first.
  4. Fill in the blank: I couldn’t play outside _____ it was too cold. (because)
  5. List three subordinating conjunctions.
  6. Change this sentence: “I went to bed. I was sleepy.” into a sentence using a subordinating conjunction.
  7. What does the subordinating conjunction “although” suggest?
  8. Write a sentence using both “if” and “when.”
  9. Provide an example of a sentence using “since.”
  10. Explain why “when” is a subordinating conjunction.

Hard Level Questions

  1. Write a complex sentence using “although” and “because.”
  2. How does using a subordinating conjunction change a sentence?
  3. Create a sentence using “while” that includes a time reference.
  4. Explain the difference between a main clause and a subordinate clause.
  5. Write a sentence where the main clause is about going to school.
  6. Create a sentence using “if” as a subordinating conjunction.
  7. Rewrite this sentence: “It was hot. We stayed inside.” using a subordinating conjunction.
  8. Write a complex sentence about your favourite hobby using “since.”
  9. Identify the subordinate clause in this sentence: “I went outside because it was sunny.”
  10. How can using different subordinating conjunctions enhance your writing?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. A word that connects a main clause with a subordinate clause.
  2. Examples: because, although, since, if.
  3. A main clause and a subordinate clause.
  4. True.
  5. I stayed indoors because it was raining.
  6. I will go to the party if I finish my homework.
  7. When I wake up, I eat breakfast.
  8. Although it was raining, we played outside.
  9. Though I was tired, I finished my homework.
  10. True.

Medium Level Answers

  1. While I was reading, my sister was watching TV.
  2. We use a comma when the subordinate clause comes first.
  3. Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
  4. I couldn’t play outside because it was too cold.
  5. Because, although, if.
  6. I went to bed because I was sleepy.
  7. It suggests that something happened in spite of another thing.
  8. If it rains when we go to the park, we will stay inside.
  9. Since it was nice weather, we went to the beach.
  10. It connects a main clause to a subordinate clause.

Hard Level Answers

  1. Although it was raining, we played outside because we wanted to have fun.
  2. It adds information and shows a relationship between two ideas.
  3. While I was eating dinner, my brother was doing his homework.
  4. A main clause can stand alone, but a subordinate clause cannot.
  5. I go to school when the bell rings.
  6. If it is sunny tomorrow, I will go to the park.
  7. It was hot, so we stayed inside because it was too warm.
  8. Since I love painting, I spend my weekends at art class.
  9. “Because it was sunny.”
  10. Using different subordinating conjunctions can make writing more varied and interesting.

Happy learning! Let’s practice using subordinating conjunctions in our writing!