Subordinating Conjunctions

Complex Sentences

Identifying subordinate and independent clauses

Open Ended

What do you think the difference between and independent and subordinate (dependent) clause are?

Independent Clause

• Expresses a complete thought

• Can stant alone and still make sense

Multiple Choice

Choose the independent clause in the following sentence.

My mother drove me to school after she got Starbucks.

• My mother drove me to school

• after she got Starbucks.

Multiple Choice

Choose the independent clause in the following sentence.

If it were up to me, I would never do homework again.

• If it were up to me

• I would never do homework again.

Multiple Choice

Choose the independent clause in the following sentence.

We were walking because we had left Steve's car at the station.

• We were walking

• because we had left Steve's car at the station.

Multiple Choice

Choose the independent clause in the following sentence.

I don't like to go on weekends because then there is usually a bunch of girls down there flirting with Soda.

• I don't like to go on weekends

• because then there is usually a bunch of girls down there flirting with Soda.

Subordinate Clause

• aka Dependent Clause

• it cannot stand alone in a sentence

• usually contains one of your subordinating conjunctions: because, if, since, that, until, when, etc.

Multiple Choice

Choose the subordinate (dependent) clause in the following sentence.

Although Ponyboy is a greaser, he is not like the rest of the gang.

• Although Ponyboy is a greaser

• he is not like the rest of the gang.

Multiple Choice

Choose the subordinate (dependent) clause in the following sentence.

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

• When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house

• I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home

Multiple Choice

Choose the subordinate (dependent) clause in the following sentence.

I get put into A classes because I’m supposed to be smart.

• I get put into A classes

• because I’m supposed to be smart

Multiple Choice

Choose the subordinate (dependent) clause in the following sentence.

Darry has to take care of his younger brothers because their parents died in an accident.

• Darry has to take care of his younger brothers

• because their parents died in an accident.

Multiple Choice

Identify if the underlined part of the sentence is an independent or subordinate clause.

Even though Ponyboy was hurting, he told Darry he was okay.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Multiple Choice

Identify if the underlined part of the sentence is an independent or subordinate clause.

After Sandy gets out of school and I get a better job, I think I'm gonna marry her.

• Independent

• Subordinate