5 Essential Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheets With Answers

Mastering grammar can significantly enhance your writing and communication skills, and one of the key areas to focus on is the use of subordinating conjunctions. These conjunctions play a pivotal role in constructing complex sentences, which are vital for expressing advanced thoughts and relationships between ideas. In this blog post, we'll dive into five essential subordinating conjunction worksheets complete with answers, designed to bolster your understanding and use of these grammatical tools.

Worksheet 1: Understanding Subordinating Conjunctions

This worksheet is aimed at introducing or refreshing your knowledge of subordinating conjunctions.

• Identify the Subordinating Conjunction: In each of the following sentences, underline the subordinating conjunction.
1. We'll go to the park if it stops raining.
2. She didn't come because she was sick.
3. Since you're here, could you help me?
4. Please buy some cookies after you come back from work.
• List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions: Write down ten common subordinating conjunctions that introduce dependent clauses.

Answers:

• Subordinating Conjunctions Identified: if, because, since, after.
• Common Subordinating Conjunctions: after, although, as, because, before, if, once, since, though, until.

💡 Note: Understanding the function of each conjunction will aid in constructing sentences that convey complex relationships.

Worksheet 2: Sentence Construction with Subordinating Conjunctions

In this worksheet, you'll practice creating sentences using various subordinating conjunctions.

• Create Sentences: Use the given subordinating conjunction to write a sentence.
1. While:
2. As if:
3. Though:
4. Unless:

Example Answers:

• While: While I was cooking dinner, my brother was playing video games.
• As if: She ran to the bus stop as if her life depended on it.
• Though: Though she had no experience, she got the job.
• Unless: We won't go swimming unless the water is warmer.

Worksheet 3: Matching Conjunctions to Sentences

Here, we match the provided subordinating conjunctions to their correct context within sentences.

• Match the Conjunctions: Choose the correct conjunction to complete each sentence.
1. He couldn't finish the work (...) he had to leave early.
2. I'll see you tonight (...) I don't have any urgent work.
3. She acted (...) nothing had happened.

Options: as, because, though, until, when

Answers:

• He couldn't finish the work because he had to leave early.
• I'll see you tonight if I don't have any urgent work.
• She acted as if nothing had happened.

Worksheet 4: Transforming Simple Sentences

This worksheet involves taking simple sentences and making them more complex by adding a dependent clause with a subordinating conjunction.

• Transform Sentences: Add a dependent clause to the following simple sentences using a subordinating conjunction.
1. The movie was interesting.
2. She finished her homework.
3. They decided to take a vacation.

Example Answers:

• The movie was interesting, although it was very long.
• She finished her homework before she went to bed.
• They decided to take a vacation since they had been working nonstop.

Worksheet 5: Reading Comprehension and Conjunctions

In this worksheet, you'll read a short passage and identify where subordinating conjunctions are used, noting their function in the context.

Short Passage:

Even though it was raining, we decided to go for a walk. The rain was light, so it didn't seem to bother anyone. While we were walking, we talked about many things, including our future plans. As long as we're together, nothing can dampen our spirits.

• List all the subordinating conjunctions in the passage, explaining their role:
1. Even though: Introduces a contrast.
2. While: Indicates a time relationship.
3. As long as: Implies a condition.

This exploration into subordinating conjunctions provides a foundational understanding of how they work to create intricate sentence structures. By practicing with these worksheets, you not only learn the basics but also how to effectively apply this knowledge in your writing. This knowledge empowers you to express ideas with greater nuance, linking thoughts in ways that can captivate and persuade your audience.

What is the role of subordinating conjunctions in sentence construction?

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Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a dependent clause to an independent clause, creating complex sentences that can express complex thoughts or relationships between ideas.

Can subordinating conjunctions be used in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence?

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Yes, they can be used at the beginning of a dependent clause, which can appear at the start or middle of a sentence. When used at the beginning, a comma typically follows the dependent clause when it precedes the independent clause.

How many subordinating conjunctions are there in English?

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There are many subordinating conjunctions in English, and new ones can be formed through idiomatic expressions or adverbial clauses. Some common ones include “although,” “because,” “if,” “since,” “until,” and “while.”