ACTIVITY TYPE

Reading, Writing, Grammar, After going through your regular review and
Exercises teacher talk, tell the students that they’re going
to learn the SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS
LANGUAGE FOCUS
in English
The SUBORDINATE
CONJUNCTIONS

AIM Make one copy of the worksheet for each student

To learn and practice the

SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS

Give one copy of the worksheet to each student.

LEVEL
Go through the grammar and exercises together.
Intermediate, Advanced

TIME Ask the students if they have any doubts.

Thank them for coming to the lesson.
60 Min

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Subordinate clauses may begin with relative pronouns such as that,
what, whatever, which, who and whom, as well as with words such
as how, when, where, wherever and why. In the following examples,
the subordinate clauses are underlined.

In addition, subordinate clauses may also begin with words which

are commonly referred to as subordinate conjunctions. In the
following examples, the subordinate conjunctions are printed in
bold type.

The subordinate conjunctions below are accompanied by their

meanings and examples of use.

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As
1. because:
2. when:

After
1. later in time:

Although or though
1. in spite of the fact that:

Before
1. earlier than:

Because
1. for the reason that:

For
1. for, because:

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If
1. on condition that:

Lest
1. for fear that:
Note the use of the Subjunctive Mood in the clause with lest.

Providing or provided
1. on condition that:

Since
1. from a past time:
2. as, because:

So or so that
1. consequently:
2. in order that:
Note: When used with the meaning in order that, so is usually
followed by that in formal English.

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Supposing
1. if:

Than
1. used in comparisons:

Unless
1. except when, if not:

Until or till
1. up to the time when:

Whereas
1. because:

2. on the other hand:

Whether
1. if:

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While
1. at the time when:
2. on the other hand:
3. although:

In addition, the following phrases are often used at the beginning of

subordinate clauses.

As if
1. in a similar way:

As long as
1. if:
2. while:

As soon as
1. immediately when:

As though
1. in a similar way:

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Even if
1. in spite of a possibility:

In case
1. because of a possibility:

Or else
1. otherwise:

So as to
1. in order to:

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Paying attention to the meanings of the sentences, fill in the blanks
with the correct subordinate conjunctions or similar expressions
chosen from the pairs given in brackets. For example:

I went for a walk _______ the sun was shining. (because,

otherwise)
I went for a walk because the sun was shining.

Do you know _______ the stores are open today? (as if,
whether)
Do you know whether the stores are open today?

1. We recognized her at once, ____________ we had not seen her

for years. (although, in case)
2. He kept reading ___________ he fell asleep. (for, until)
3. The moon will rise ____________ the sun sets. (as soon as, than)
4. It looks ____________ the train will be late. (while, as though)
5. ____________ she got her degree, she became a teacher. (After,

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Than)
6. We will not go skiing ____________ the weather is good. (as if,
unless)
7. ____________ he left, he made sure he had his keys with him.
(Before, For)
8. ____________ I told the truth, you would not believe me. (Even
if, So that)
9. They have known her ___________ she was a child. (until, since)
10. I must leave now, ____________ I have a great deal of work to
do. (as, than)
11. What shall we do ____________ it rains? (or else, supposing)
12. ____________ you read this book, you would be sure to enjoy
it. (If, Until)
13. The door was open, ____________ we could hear everything.
(in case, so)
14. I studied more ____________ he did. (than, whereas)
15. We packed a lunch, ____________ we knew we would soon be
hungry. (lest, for)
16. I will join you, ____________ the weather is fine. (providing,
than)
17. ____________ he is very busy, he is seldom at home. (Or else,

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Because)
18. We must hurry, ___________ we will be late. (so that, or else)

Certain words, such as after, before, since and until may function
either as prepositions or subordinate conjunctions. However it
should be noted that in some cases different words must be used as
prepositions and subordinate conjunctions, in order to express
similar meanings. This is illustrated in the table below.

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Meaning Preposition Conjunction
for this reason because of because
in spite of this despite although
at the time when during while
in a similar way like as if

In the following examples, the objects of the prepositions, and the

verbs of the subordinate clauses are underlined.
Preposition: They were upset because of the delay.
Conjunction: They were upset because they were delayed.

Preposition: Despite the rain, we enjoyed ourselves.

Conjunction: Although it rained, we enjoyed ourselves.

Preposition: We stayed indoors during the storm.

Conjunction: We stayed indoors while the storm raged.

Preposition: It looks like rain.

Conjunction: It looks as if it will rain.

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In the above examples, it can be seen that the prepositions because
of, despite, during and like have the noun objects delay, rain and
storm; whereas the subordinate conjunctions because, although,
while and as if introduce subordinate clauses containing the verbs
were delayed, rained, raged and will rain.

It should be noted that like is sometimes used as a subordinate

conjunction in informal English.
e.g. It looks like it will rain.
However, this use of like is considered incorrect in formal English.

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For each of the following sentences, paying attention to the

structure of the sentence, fill in the blank with either the

conjunction or the preposition given in brackets. For example:

_______ my warning, they went ahead with their plan.

(Although, Despite)

Despite my warning, they went ahead with their plan.

________ the sun was shining, the water was cold. (Although,

Despite)

Although the sun was shining, the water was cold.

The price of oranges is high, __________ frost damage.

(because, because of)

The price of oranges is high, because of frost damage. (because,

because of)

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 I went to see the play, _______ it had good reviews. (because,

because of)

I went to see the play, because it had good reviews. (because,

because of)

1. We stayed up late, ____________ we were tired. (although,

despite)

2. They went swimming, ____________ the coldness of the water.

(although, despite)

3. I enjoy the course, ____________ the professor is a good teacher.

(because, because of)

4. She looks ___________ your sister. (as if, like)

5. Please wait ___________ I make a phone call. (during, while)

6. Did you hear any noises ____________ the night? (during,

while)

7. It looked ____________ we would not be able to leave until the

next day. (as if, like)

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8. We all felt tired ____________ the hot weather. (because,

because of)

9. I read a book ___________ I was waiting. (during, while)

10. Her eyes shone _____________ stars. (as if, like)

11. They managed to work together, ___________ their differences

of opinion. (although, despite)

12. I left home early, ____________ I had to do several errands.

(because, because of)

13. He speaks about the subject ____________ he were an expert.

(as if, like)

14. We rested ____________ the hottest part of the day. (during,

while)

15. ____________ she lost her way twice, she arrived safely.

(Although, Despite)

16. ____________ their interest in comets, they decided to study

astronomy. (Because, Because of)

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