EnglishAges 13-15

Main & subordinate clauses

Identify subordinating conjunctions and distinguish main clauses from subordinate clauses. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 13-15 Ages 16-18

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Main & subordinate clauses

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “While the bread was baking, we tidied the kitchen.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Main & subordinate clauses

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Provided that
“Provided that” introduces a conditional subordinate clause.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “While the bread was baking, we tidied the kitchen.”
While
“While” introduces the time subordinate clause.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
until
“Until” introduces the subordinate time clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
After
“After” introduces the subordinate clause showing sequence in time.
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Once
“Once” introduces a subordinate time/condition clause.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
As soon as
“As soon as” introduces a subordinate clause of time.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main clause.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Although
“Although” introduces the subordinate concession clause “Although it rained heavily”.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Whereas
“Whereas” introduces a subordinate clause contrasting two facts.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Though
“Though” introduces a subordinate clause of concession.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Main & subordinate clauses

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “While the bread was baking, we tidied the kitchen.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Main & subordinate clauses

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Provided that
“Provided that” introduces a conditional subordinate clause.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “While the bread was baking, we tidied the kitchen.”
While
“While” introduces the time subordinate clause.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
until
“Until” introduces the subordinate time clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
After
“After” introduces the subordinate clause showing sequence in time.
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Once
“Once” introduces a subordinate time/condition clause.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
As soon as
“As soon as” introduces a subordinate clause of time.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main clause.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Although
“Although” introduces the subordinate concession clause “Although it rained heavily”.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Whereas
“Whereas” introduces a subordinate clause contrasting two facts.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Though
“Though” introduces a subordinate clause of concession.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification