Words, Clauses and Sentences  

 
What is a ​word​?  What is a ​clause​? 
hello  ▪ a group of words that can act as a sentence; it contains a subject 
beautiful  and a predicate 
girl  ▪ some clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence; others 
money  cannot 
   
  2 Types of Clauses 
What is a ​sentence​?  1. Independent clause​ – are like adults, they can go out by 
▪ a group of words that tells a complete thought  themselves anytime they like 
▪ it has a subject and a verb  2. Dependent clause​ – are like children, they can’t go anywhere 
  unless an adult (independent clause) goes with them 
2 Parts of a sentence   
1. Subject – who or what are we talking about  He swims. 
2. Predicate – tells something about what the subject is doing  Because she is sick, Janet is absent. 
The predicate has the ​verb​.   
  After​ they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was 
She ​danced​.  waiting at the train station. 
   
Jane ​drinks milk everyday​.  Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station 
  after​ they left on the bus, . 
   

   
Common Subordinating Conjunctions  Exercise 1: Word, Clause, Sentence 
  Write if the following is a ​word​, ​clause​, or ​sentence. 
Time Cause/Effect    
after because  _____________ 1. When it rains 
before so 
_____________ 2. Butterfly 
when now that 
_____________ 3. The boy ran. 
since in order that 
until as if  _____________ 4. So that she can get high grades 
as soon as whether 
_____________ 5. John goes swimming. 
 
_____________ 6. Sing 
Condition Contrast 
as long as although  _____________ 7. Jenny 
unless even though  _____________ 8. If they eat fast 
provided that though 
_____________ 9. When you have time, you have to visit Tom. 
so long as whereas 
if even if  _____________ 10. Sit down! 

while whenever   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Exercise 2: Clauses  Exercise 3: Parts of a sentence 
Tell whether it’s an ​independent ​or ​dependent ​clause. Write ​IC​ for  Circle the subject and underline the predicate. Then spot the ​verb​ and 
independent clause and ​DC​ for dependent clause.  underline it twice. 
   
1. The teacher teaches everyday. 
_______ 1. Because he injured his foot. 
2. Ray is eating a sandwich. 
_______ 2. When we get enough snow. 
3. The dog barked at a stranger. 
_______ 3. Mom took the car to get fixed. 
4. Flies are annoying. 
_______ 4. After Thomas returned from his fishing trip. 
5. We are going to France next week. 
_______ 5. Gabriel is playing with toys in his room. 
6. Anne cannot go to school because her family is poor. 
_______ 6. If Charlotte decides to join the softball team. 
7. He was at the mall yesterday. 
_______ 7. We will surprise her with a birthday party. 
8. It is a sunny day today. 
_______ 8. Though the play was a bit too long. 
9. Jack and Jill study hard. 
_______ 9. Nate will be late for the concert. 
10. Milk and cereal are a good combination for breakfast. 
_______ 10. She needs to practice more. 

   
 
 
Homework: 
 
1. Choose two of each type of subordinating conjunction from the 
 
above ​Common Subordinating Conjunctions​ list and use each in a 
  sentence. 
 
 
2. Research and list 10 more subordinating conjunctions.