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: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Even though the puzzle was tricky, Sara solved it.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
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: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104738 · 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: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Even though the puzzle was tricky, Sara solved it.”
Even though
“Even though” introduces a subordinate clause of contrast.
3. 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.
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: “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: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
When
“When” introduces a subordinate time clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
8. 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.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Before
“Before” introduces a subordinate time clause.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Whenever
“Whenever” introduces the subordinate time clause.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
In case
“In case” introduces a precautionary subordinate clause.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
until
“Until” introduces the subordinate time clause.

12 questions · Seed 104738 · 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: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Even though the puzzle was tricky, Sara solved it.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
3. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “He wore sunglasses so that the glare would not hurt his eyes.”
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: “As soon as the sun rose, the fishermen set sail.”
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: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
8. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Provided that everyone wears a lifejacket, we may board the canoe.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
Identify the subordinating… · Main & subordinate clauses

12 questions · Seed 104738 · 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: “She checked her compass before she crossed the ridge.”
before
“Before” introduces the subordinate clause indicating time.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Even though the puzzle was tricky, Sara solved it.”
Even though
“Even though” introduces a subordinate clause of contrast.
3. 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.
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: “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: “When the moon is full, the high tide rises further.”
When
“When” introduces a subordinate time clause.
7. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Because the reef shelters the lagoon, the water remains calm.”
Because
“Because” introduces the subordinate reason clause.
8. 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.
9. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Before you submit the test, check every calculation.”
Before
“Before” introduces a subordinate time clause.
10. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “Whenever the bell rings, the students gather in the hall.”
Whenever
“Whenever” introduces the subordinate time clause.
11. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “In case the power fails, keep a torch nearby.”
In case
“In case” introduces a precautionary subordinate clause.
12. Identify the subordinating conjunction in: “They waited at the pier until the lighthouse flashed.”
until
“Until” introduces the subordinate time clause.

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification