Name

 ________________________________________               Date  __________________  

Comma  Lesson  #3   Part  2                 Class  Period/  Day  ___________  
 
Conjunctions  
 
 
 
What  are  subordinating  conjunctions,  and  how  do  we  use  them?  
 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinating  
  Conjunctions  
Coordinating  
  conjunctions  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Definitions  and  Examples  
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinating  Conjunctions:  join  dependent  (subordinate)  clauses  with  independent  
 
(main/  more  important)  clauses.  
 
 
 
Functions:     1.  to  show  the  importance  of  the  independent  clause  within  the  sentence  
 
2.  to  provide  a  transition  between  two  ideas  within  the  same  sentence;  this  
 
transition  indicates  place,  time,  or  cause  and  effect  
 
 
 
Purpose   Subordinating  Conjunctions  
 
To  show  time   Before                                        While                                        When  
 
After                                              Until                                            Whenever  
 
As  soon  as                        As  long  as                          Once  
 
To  show  cause  and  effect  or  purpose   Because                                                                        In  order  to  
 
  Since                                                                                  So  that  
  Now  that                                                                    Provided  that  
  As  much  as                                                            Even  if  
  Just  as                                                                              Whoever  
Consequently                                                    Due  to  
 
  For                                                                                          Therefore  
  Hence                                                                                As  a  result  
  Unless                                                          
  To  show  a  condition   If                                                                                                  Whether  
  Supposing                                                                Only  if  
  Whenever                                                      
  To   s how  a  contrast   Though                                                                          Even  though  
  Although                                                                      Whereas  
  To   s how  similarity   As  though  
  As  if  
  To  show  place   Where  
  Wherever  
   
 
How  do  we  punctuate  subordinate  conjunctions?    
1. If  the  sentence  begins  with  a  subordinate  (dependent)  clause,  use  a  comma  to  separate  the  
subordinate  clause  from  the  main  (independent)  clause.    
For  example:  While  Dad  slept  on  the  couch,  Shirley  played  in  front  of  the  television.    
2. When  you  attach  a  subordinate  clause  at  the  end  of  a  main  clause,  you  will  generally  use  no  
punctuation.    
For  example:  Tanya  did  poorly  on  her  history  exam  because  her  best  friend  Giselle  insisted  on  
gossiping  during  their  study  session  the  night  before.    
Jonathan  spent  his  class  time  completing  his  homework  since  he  had  a  busy  evening  ahead.    
             3.      Exception:    If  the  subordinate  clause  expresses  a  contrast,  like  clauses  that  begin  with  whereas  and    
  although,  a  comma  is  needed.  
For  example:  He  loves  to  go  on  vacations  during  the  holidays,  whereas  his  brother  prefers  to  stay  
home.    
 
You  try  it!  
Directions:  Identify  and  circle  the  subordinating  conjunction  in  each  sentence.    Label  independent  and  
dependent  clauses.  Add  commas  when  necessary.        
 
1.  When  I  met  Susan  her  eyes  were  red  because  she  had  been  crying.  

2.  We  searched  the  woods  around  the  lake  where  Adam  would  often  walk  when  he  was  feeling  blue.  

3.  He  will  always  be  considered  as  the  town’s  bravest  man  provided  the  truth  never  comes  out.  

4.  Although  I’ve  been  here  before  he’s  just  too  hard  to  ignore.  

5.  Because  it  was  raining  I  took  my  umbrella.  

6.  Since  I  have  no  money  I  can’t  go  to  the  movie.    

7.  I  lost  my  job  because  I  was  often  late.  

8.  John  is  short  whereas  Mary  is  tall.    

9.  Paula  was  given  the  position  even  though  she  had  no  experience.    

10.  Unless  you  practice  your  basketball  skills  will  never  improve.  

Independent  Practice  –  Part  1  

Directions:  Combine  the  following  sentences  using  a  subordinating  conjunction.    
 
1.  Some  apples  are  red.    Other  are  green.  (Whereas)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
2.  The  boat  could  not  move.    There  was  no  wind.  (Since)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
3.  Deer  are  cute.    They  eat  all  your  flowers.  (Although)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
4.  Surfing  is  fun.    It  can  be  dangerous.  (Even  though)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
5.  Finish  eating  your  breakfast.    Brush  your  teeth.  (After)    
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
6.  I  have  to  stay  for  tutoring.    I  failed  the  math  quiz.  (Because)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
7.  I  woke  up.    I  saw  that  it  was  snowing.  (When)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
8.  You  eat  your  vegetables.    You  cannot  have  dessert.  (Unless)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
9.  You  have  cookies  left  over.    Can  I  have  one?  (If)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
10.  You  need  to  study  your  vocabulary  words.    You  can  do  well  on  the  quiz.  (So  that)  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
 
Independent  Practice-­‐  Part  2  
Show  what  you  know!  
Directions:  Locate  and  record  examples  of  sentences  that  follow  the  rules  for  subordinating  conjunctions.    
You  may  use  any  piece  of  text  we’ve  read,  a  text  you’ve  read  for  another  class,  or  a  text  you  have  read  for  
leisure.    Be  sure  to  properly  cite  the  source  of  your  example.  You  must  use  at  least  two  different  sources.    
 
1.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
2.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
3.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
4.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
5.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
6.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
7.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
8.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________