Subordinating Conjunctions Connecting Independent and Dependent Clauses

What is a clause?

Oops! Guess again!! That’s Santa Claus, not Clause

Clause A clause is a group of words that contains a VERB and ITS SUBJECT. There are TWO types of clauses: – Independent clause – Dependent clause

Independent Clause – An independent clause contains a verb, a subject, and a complete thought. – It can stand alone as a sentence. Example: They shook hands.

Dependent Clause – A dependent clause contains a verb and subject, but not a complete thought. – It cannot stand alone as a sentence. When Bob and Goorp met.

Subordinating Conjunctions A subordinating conjunction can be used to join an independent clause with a dependent clause. – When Bob and Goorp met, they shook hands.

When Bob and Goorp met, they shook hands. When a dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction, it is an adverb clause. An adverb clause tells when, where, or the cause of the verb in the independent clause. In the sentence above, the dependent clause, When Bob and Goorp met, tells when they shook hands. The subordinating conjunction, when, begins the dependent clause.

What are subordinating conjunctions? Words that connect clauses Make one clause less important or subordinate to the other Are always followed by a subject and verb

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions beforebecausesinceif afterwhereverunlessthan whentillso thatas though whileeven thoughas soon asas untilin order thatalthoughas long as

What is the subordinating conjunction in this sentence? When the alien spaceship settled on Earth, the Martians excitedly jumped out.

That’s right! The answer is When. When the alien spaceship settled on Earth, the Martians excitedly jumped out.

What is the subordinating conjunction in this sentence? Nurp was especially pleased with her new hair color after she went to Astro-hair Beauty Salon and Spa.

That’s right! The answer is after. Nurp was especially pleased with her new hair color after she went to Astro-hair Beauty Salon and Spa.

Which subordinating conjunction do you think makes the best sense in this sentence? ________________ he was such an expert at planetary golf, Bloop often made a hole-in-one. when, unless, because

You’re right! The answer is because. Because he was such an expert at planetary golf, Bloop often made a hole-in-one.

Try another one! Meep took a ride in his spaceship every day _______ he was grounded by a meteor shower. since, unless, when

That’s right! The answer is unless. Meep took a ride in his spaceship every day unless he was grounded by a meteor shower.

How would you connect these two sentences using a subordinating conjunction? Norp concentrated intently. Sparks flew from his head.

What did you say?

Try another one! Vorex always laughed at Zoop’s funny stories. They were very amusing.

What did you say?

Write a paragraph of at least five sentences telling a story about this picture. At least three of your sentences should contain subordinating conjunctions to connect independent and dependent clauses. Here are some subordinating conjunctions you might use: before, since, because, unless, until, as long as, when, if, although. In your paragraph underline the adverb clauses and CIRCLE the subordinating conjunctions.

Good job, Earthlings!!