Choose the right subordinating conjunction for each of the sentences: 

1. ________________ he claims that he is innocent, everyone knows he is guilty.

   While

   Now that

   In order that

2. ________________ you're here, I'm going to tell you a secret.

   Whereas

   Now that

   In order that

3. ________________ you like him personally, you have to agree that he's done a lot
for the company.

   If only

   Rather than

   Whether or not

4. ________________ I prefer to live in an apartment, my wife wants to buy a house.

   Until

   Whereas

   Because

5. ________________ I had seen that movie three times, I watched it again.

   Although

   Whereas

   Unless

6. ________________ you already know the answer, why are you asking me?

   Although

   Since

   Whereas
 7. ________________ you go to the beach, call your brother.

   Because

   Although

   Before

8. ________________ giving the money to my sister, I gave it to my cousins.

   Though

   Rather than

   Whereas

9. ________________ she calls me, I feel happy.

   Whenever

   Although

   While

10. ________________ the test starts, you will not be able to talk.

   Whatever

   Once

   Because

 11. ___ he worked hard all year long, he wasn’t able to buy his father an
expensive gift.

Since

Even though

Because

 12. ___ he didn’t have much money, he wasn’t able to buy his father an
expensive gift.

Although

Even though

Because
 13. ___ he didn’t have much money, he was still able to buy an expensive gift
for his father.

Although

As long as

Unless

 14. ___ he works hard all year long, he won’t be able to buy his father an
expensive gift.

Once

Unless

Since

 15. ___ he worked hard all year long and was able to earn a lot of money, he
bought his father a very expensive gift.

Though

Since

Although

 16. ___ spending a lot of money on a gift, he made a present for his father.

If only

Before

Rather than

 17. ___ he buys his father an expensive gift, he won’t buy anything for himself.

When

Until

While

 18. ___ he was shopping for an expensive gift for his father, he realized he
didn’t have any money.
 While

Even if

Unless

 19. ___ he bought an expensive gift for his father, he felt tremendous joy.

When

Till

Unless

 20. ___ he buys his father an expensive gift, he needs to make sure he has
enough money.

Before

After

Unless

Choose the best answer

1. He attended college in his hometown BECAUSE it was cheaper.

subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

2. She didn't want to go away to college, NOR did she want to attend a local one.
subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

3. They went to dinner AFTER they saw the movie.

subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

4. Her jaw dropped WHENEVER he swore.

NOT a subordinate conjunction
subordinate conjunction

5. They didn't sell their house, YET they moved into another one.
NOT a subordinate conjunction
subordinate conjunction
6. AS SOON AS they find a buyer, they will sell their house.
NOT a subordinate conjunction
subordinate conjunction

7. SINCE they couldn't find a buyer right away, they chose to rent the house instead.
subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

8. They knew they would be water skiing, SO they brought their bathing suits.
subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

9. IF they don't go on vacation now, they never will.

subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

10. They went for a long camping trip, FOR they wanted to be close to nature.
subordinate conjunction
NOT a subordinate conjunction

11.) I didn't have the money to go on vacation, YET I went anyway.

a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

12.) We could go on a picnic IF you want.

a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

13.) I will graduate on time, FOR I finished my thesis early.

a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

14.) They didn't invite us to the party EVEN THOUGH we invited them to ours.
a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

15.) He didn't run in the race, NOR did he wish to.

a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

16.) He didn't ask her out BECAUSE he was too shy.

a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

17.) It was obvious that he could have helped her move, BUT he didn't.
 a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

18.) WHENEVER we go to the movies, we buy popcorn.

a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

19.) They had the wedding in June, AND then they went on a honeymoon.
a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction

20.) She realized that SINCE she had studied the wrong material, she would
surely fail.
a.) coordinate conjunction
b.) NOT a coordinate conjunction
 

Directions: please fill in the blanks using the appropriate conjunction. Use

commas where necessary.

1. He behaves ___ _________ he rules the world.

2. We started moving _____ he took his foot off the brake.

3. I am going to go _____ __ my parents say I can’t.

4. ___________ _____ killing living animals for food I am going to become a

vegetarian.

5. I waited ________ my mom paid for the groceries.

6. I ran _____________ I was scared.

7. We will go running ______ we tie our shoes.

8. We can eat lunch ___________ you like.

9. ______________ I get happy I smile.

10. I’m not leaving ________ you say you’re sorry.

11. We cannot go skiing __________ we have skis.

12. I turned the key __ _______ __ start the car.

13. I want to go ________ money grows on trees.

14. We got to the scene of the crime right _______ the robbers ran away.

15. ___ we can’t find work here we’ll have to move to a place ________ we can.

16. __________________ I am only 5’3” tall I love playing basketball.

17. __________________ you finish eating your vegetables you may eat cake.
18. ____________ ____ complaining about not being able to do the things I want I will
work to achieve my dreams.

19. ______ ____________ it is cold out I’m not going to wear my jacket.

20. We will start work _________ the sun rises.

21. You could go and play   you have done your homework. 
22. Roger went swimming   it was raining. 
23. He is fat   he eats a lot of chocolate. 
24. She hasn't seen her son   he was a little boy. 
25. Tom went to the doctor yesterday   he was ill. 
26. You stay home and wait   the rain stops. 
27. Susan likes to eat dinner   returning home from school. 
28. Steve told her   he loved her. 
29. Henry went to the shop   buy some tomatoes. 
29. I will go on my holiday   you forbid me. 

Use subordinating conjunctions (though, if, when, because, etc.) to connect the
sentences into one complex sentence.

 Henry needs to learn English. I will teach him.

 It was raining outside. We went for a walk.
 Jenny needs to ask me. I will buy it for her.
 Yvonne played golf extremely well. She was very young.
 Franklin wants to get a new job. He is preparing for job interviews.
 I'm writing a letter, and I'm leaving. You will find it tomorrow.
 Marvin thinks he will buy the house. He just wants to know what his wife thinks.
 Cindy and David had breakfast. They left for work.
 I really enjoyed the concert. The music was too loud.
 Alexander has been working sixty hours a week. There is an important
presentation next week.
 I usually work out at the gym early in the morning. I leave for work at eight a.m.
 The car was extremely expensive. Bob didn't have much money. He bought the
car.
 Dean sometimes goes to the cinema. He enjoys going with his friend Doug.
Doug visits once a month.
 I prefer to watch TV by streaming over the internet. It allows me to watch what I
want when I want.
 Sometimes it happens that we have a lot of rain. I put the chairs on the patio in
the garage when we have rain.