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: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Since the tide was high, the ferry docked easily.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 45 · 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: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Whereas
“Whereas” introduces a subordinate clause contrasting two facts.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Until
“Until” introduces a subordinate time clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
5. 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.
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Before
“Before” introduces a subordinate time clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Whenever
“Whenever” introduces the subordinate time clause.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Although
“Although” introduces the subordinate concession clause “Although it rained heavily”.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Since the tide was high, the ferry docked easily.”
Since
“Since” introduces the subordinate clause explaining the reason.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main clause.

12 questions · Seed 45 · 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: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Since the tide was high, the ferry docked easily.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 45 · 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: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Whereas
“Whereas” introduces a subordinate clause contrasting two facts.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Until
“Until” introduces a subordinate time clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
5. 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.
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Before
“Before” introduces a subordinate time clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Whenever
“Whenever” introduces the subordinate time clause.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Although
“Although” introduces the subordinate concession clause “Although it rained heavily”.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Since the tide was high, the ferry docked easily.”
Since
“Since” introduces the subordinate clause explaining the reason.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main clause.

12 questions · Seed 45 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification