EnglishAges 16-18

Main & subordinate clauses

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

New variation Try interactive challenge Browse templates

Age band:Ages 13-15 Ages 16-18

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Main & subordinate clauses

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As long as the battery is charged, the sensor records data.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Main & subordinate clauses

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
so that
“So that” introduces a subordinate clause of purpose.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Before
“Before” introduces a subordinate time clause.
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
In case
“In case” introduces a precautionary subordinate clause.
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Though
“Though” introduces a subordinate clause of concession.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
When
“When” introduces a subordinate time clause.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As long as the battery is charged, the sensor records data.”
As long as
“As long as” introduces a conditional subordinate clause.
10. 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.
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Main & subordinate clauses

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As long as the battery is charged, the sensor records data.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Main & subordinate clauses

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
so that
“So that” introduces a subordinate clause of purpose.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Before
“Before” introduces a subordinate time clause.
5. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
In case
“In case” introduces a precautionary subordinate clause.
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Though
“Though” introduces a subordinate clause of concession.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
When
“When” introduces a subordinate time clause.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As long as the battery is charged, the sensor records data.”
As long as
“As long as” introduces a conditional subordinate clause.
10. 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.
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification