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Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheets

All About These 15 Worksheets

These Subordinating Conjunctions worksheets can help students to understand the role of subordinating conjunctions in English grammar. A subordinating conjunction is a word that joins a subordinate clause to a main clause, creating a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

These worksheets include a variety of engaging exercises and prompts such as fill-in-the-blank exercises, sentence completion activities, and short writing prompts. Through these worksheets, students will:

  • Identify the subordinating conjunctions in sentences;
  • Combine pairs of sentences using subordinating conjunctions;
  • Complete sentences by supplying them with the appropriate subordinating conjunctions;
  • Distinguish subordinating conjunctions from coordinating conjunctions;
  • Understand the form and function of subordinating conjunctions;
  • And create their own complete and coherent sentences that use subordinating conjunctions correctly.

By providing students with a wide range of exercises and prompts, these worksheets can help students to understand the proper use of subordinating conjunctions and enhance their writing and communication skills. It is important to note that using subordinating conjunctions correctly can help students to create more complex and interesting sentences.

What are Subordinating Conjunctions and why do they matter?

Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a dependent or subordinate clause to an independent clause in a sentence. A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence. By using subordinating conjunctions, we can create more complex sentences that convey a more precise meaning. Here are some example sentences, with their subordinating conjunctions written in bold for guidance:

  • Although it was raining, we still went for a walk.
  • I stayed home because I was feeling sick.
  • If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
  • Since it was his birthday, we decided to throw him a surprise party.
  • I always drink coffee when I wake up in the morning.
  • I read a book while I was waiting for the train.

It’s important to note that when using subordinating conjunctions, the subordinate clause typically comes after the independent clause. For example, in the sentence “Although it was raining, we still went for a walk,” the independent clause is “we still went for a walk” and the subordinate clause is “although it was raining.”

Overall, subordinating conjunctions are an important part of English grammar that can help to create more complex and precise sentences. By understanding and using subordinating conjunctions correctly, learners can improve their writing and communication skills.

Subordinating Conjunctions vs. Coordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions and coordinating conjunctions are both types of conjunctions, but they differ in their function and usage.

While subordinating conjunctions are used to connect an independent clause (a complete sentence) to a dependent or subordinate clause (an incomplete sentence that cannot stand alone), coordinating conjunctions are used to connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses that have equal grammatical status. These words, phrases, or clauses are called coordinate elements. The most common coordinating conjunctions are “and,” “or,” “but,” “nor,” “for,” “yet,” and “so.” For example:

  • I want to go to the beach, but it’s raining.
  • The book is long and difficult, but I’m enjoying it.

In summary, coordinating conjunctions join coordinate elements, while subordinating conjunctions connect an independent clause to a dependent or subordinate clause. Understanding the difference between these two types of conjunctions is important for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.