Grammar Unit 17: Subordinating Conj. & Complex Sent. (L1)

Grammar Unit 17: Subordinating Conj. & the Complex Sentence

In the last unit, we spent some time with the coordinating conjunctions and compound sentences. Today we are moving on to the subordinating conjunctions and their complex sentences.

Points for the class:

• 📌 Point 1: Describe complex sentence, and identify subordinating conjunctions: "because", "until", "although" (p. 104)

• 📌 Point 2: Identify subordinating conjunctions "when" and "unless" (p. 106)

Definition of "the complex sentence":

📌 A sentence that contains an independent clause and a dependent clause linked by a subordinating conjunction is known as a complex sentence.

Examples of "complex sentences":

Ex: Roberto chose to visit Brazil because he spoke Portuguese. (complex sentence)

Ex: Until I complete my homework, please don't switch on the television. (complex sentence)

Ex: Because the soup was too cold, I warmed it in the microwave. (complex sentence)

📌 Definition of "subordinating conjunctions" (p. 105):

📌 Subordinating conjunctions join dependent clauses to independent clauses. The subordinating conjunction shows the relationship between the information in the dependent clause and the information in the independent clause.

Multiple Choice

Identify the independent (it can stand alone) clause of the sentence:

We went to the store, because we needed groceries.

• We went to the store

• because we needed groceries

Multiple Choice

Identify the independent (it can stand alone) clause of the sentence:

Until you stop talking, I cannot have a conversation with you.

• Until you stop talking

• I cannot have a conversation with you

Multiple Choice

Identify the dependent (the one that is dependent on the other clause) clause of the sentence:

If you would do the laundry, I would have clothes to wear.

• If you would do the laundry

• I would have clothes to wear

Multiple Choice

Identify the dependent (the one that is dependent on the other clause) clause of the sentence:

I want to be kind to you, because you are my friend.

• I want to be kind to you

• because you are my friend

📌 Subordinating Conjunctions:

• 📌 A dependent clause that begins with because shows the reason why something happens or is so. (p. 105)

• 📌 A dependent clause that begins with until shows a condition that must be met before something can happen. (Until can also be used in the past to show the point at which something stopped. (p. 105)

• 📌 Use although to show that something is surprising or the opposite of what might be expected. (p. 106)

Fill in the blank in the sentence using "because", "until", or "although" p. 106:

_________he was defeated at Waterloo, Napoleon was the emperor of France.

Sentence with conjunction:

Until he was defeated a Waterloo, Napoleon was the Emperor of France.

Fill in the blank in the sentence using "because", "until", or "although" p. 106:

The Ming Dynasty ruled China________Beijing fell to Li Zicheng in 1644 CE.

Sentence with conjunction:

The Ming Dynasty ruled China until Beijing fell to Li Zicheng in 1644 CE.

📌 (more) subordinating conjunctions (p. 106):

• 📌 Use when if the dependent clause happens at the time of the independent clause.

• 📌 Use unless to show that something will not happen if something else is not done.

Fill in the blanks in the sentence below, using "when" or "unless":

The store was empty_________the thief broke in.

Sentence with conjunction:

The store was empty when the thief broke in.

Fill in the blanks in the sentence below, using "when" or "unless":

The milk will run out_________somebody goes to buy some.

Sentence with conjunction:

The milk will run out unless somebody goes to buy some.

No homework my little gremlins!!! Thanks for learning about complex sentences and subordinating conjunctions and their uses! 

(Review SDP Course Practice for Anthology exam this week)