WORKSHEET 164

Name_______________________________

The Subordinate Clause

A clause is a group of words containing a verb and its subject. A clause that can stand
as a sentence by itself is called a main clause or independent clause. By this definition, a
simple sentence is a clause, and compound sentence contains two or more clauses.
S.

V.

S.

Jim cooked supper.

V.

S.

V.

Jim cooked, and I cleaned up.

However, the structure of sentence will be easier to understand if you think of a clause as
a part of a sentence or a group of words within a sentence. A clause that cannot stand by itself as
a sentence is called a subordinate clause or dependent clause.
s.

v.

s.

after you called

v.

s.

whom we met

v.

where the files are

The words that begin subordinate clauses are called subordinating conjunctions. The
words subordinate, or make dependent, the group of words they introduce.
after
although
as
as if
as long as

as though
because
before
if
in order that

provided
since
so that
than
though

till
unless
until
when
whenever

where
wherever
while
while

Other clauses begin with these words:

that
which

why
how

what, whatever
whoever, whomever

who, whom, whose

Using Subordinate Clauses. Use subordinating conjunctions from the list above and
create a subordinate clause to complete the sentence (see example below).
1. The band played after the team scored a touchdown.
2. Ted sprained his hand

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3. Paula hears the noise

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4. He sings

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5. The crowed booed

6. Maria is writing
7. It is a tie

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8. She works ______________________________________________________

9. Pedro had the balls
10. The train is late

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WORKSHEET 165

Name_______________________________

The Complex Sentence

Now that you know the difference between main clauses and subordinate clauses, you
can understand the complex sentence. A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one
main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Main clauses
Well go
An encyclopedia is the reference
Susan asked the waitress

Subordinate Clause
wherever you want to go.
that I used.
if she could have some water.

Recognizing Subordinate Clauses. Underline the subordinate clause in each of these

complex sentences. Write S over the subject of the clause and V over the verb.
1. If it rains, the picnic will be made inside, on the floor.
2. We thanked the Johnson before we left.
3. If Darren remembers, he will buy batteries for the calculator.
4. The guide showed us where the meteor had struck.
5. After Jeff had seen the movie, he decided to read the book.
6. The audience grew quite when the lights dimmed for the second act.
7. Although the Changers improved in the second half, they still lost.
8. No one can enter the facilities unless he or she has special permission.
9. The phone always rings when a person is the busiest.
10. I waited while the sales manager approved my check.
11. Maureen will not return from Canada until the summer ends.
12. Elaine understands more Spanish the Cheryl does.
13. Has anyone heard from ted since he moved?
14. You should get plenty of sleep before the competition so that you will be alert.
15. David brings a huge radio wherever he goes.
16. Cynthia cant play basketball because she sprained her wrist.
17. The dog can stay in the house as long as it behaves.
18. This fabric softener should be added before the rinse cycle starts.
19. Where were you when the blackout occurred?
20. After the rains came, the desert bloomed.