EnglishAges 16-18

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 16-18

Main & subordinate clauses

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
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: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104732 · 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: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main 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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Although
“Although” introduces the subordinate concession clause “Although it rained heavily”.
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: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
When
“When” introduces a subordinate time clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Whereas
“Whereas” introduces a subordinate clause contrasting two facts.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Once
“Once” introduces a subordinate time/condition clause.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
After
“After” introduces the subordinate clause showing sequence in time.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
until
“Until” introduces the subordinate time clause.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.

12 questions · Seed 104732 · 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: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
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: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104732 · 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: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main 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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
4. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Although it rained heavily, the match continued.”
Although
“Although” introduces the subordinate concession clause “Although it rained heavily”.
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: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
When
“When” introduces a subordinate time clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whereas mercury is liquid at room temperature, iron is solid.”
Whereas
“Whereas” introduces a subordinate clause contrasting two facts.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Once the concrete hardens, the bridge can carry traffic.”
Once
“Once” introduces a subordinate time/condition clause.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “After the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared.”
After
“After” introduces the subordinate clause showing sequence in time.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
until
“Until” introduces the subordinate time clause.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “If the temperature drops below zero, the pond freezes.”
If
“If” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.

12 questions · Seed 104732 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification