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: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Wherever fresh water flows, reeds grow along the bank.”
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: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As long as the battery is charged, the sensor records data.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
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: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104736 · 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: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
2. 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.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Wherever fresh water flows, reeds grow along the bank.”
Wherever
“Wherever” introduces a subordinate clause of place.
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: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Until
“Until” introduces a subordinate time clause.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main clause.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Though
“Though” introduces a subordinate clause of concession.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
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: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
so that
“So that” introduces a subordinate clause of purpose.

12 questions · Seed 104736 · 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: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Wherever fresh water flows, reeds grow along the bank.”
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: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
6. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “As long as the battery is charged, the sensor records data.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
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: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104736 · 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: “Unless you water the seedlings, they will wilt.”
Unless
“Unless” introduces the conditional subordinate clause.
2. 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.
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Wherever fresh water flows, reeds grow along the bank.”
Wherever
“Wherever” introduces a subordinate clause of place.
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: “Until the fog lifted, the aircraft remained on the runway.”
Until
“Until” introduces a subordinate time clause.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “We stayed indoors because the storm was approaching.”
because
“Because” links the subordinate reason clause to the main clause.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Though the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit.”
Though
“Though” introduces a subordinate clause of concession.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
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: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
so that
“So that” introduces a subordinate clause of purpose.

12 questions · Seed 104736 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification