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Subordinating Conjunctions Grammar Exercises for English Language

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Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools in the English language that help to connect ideas and create complex sentences. These words or phrases, such as "although," "because," "since," and "unless," serve to link dependent clauses to independent clauses, providing clarity and depth to written and spoken communication. Understanding how to use subordinating conjunctions effectively allows writers and speakers to express relationships between ideas, such as cause and effect, contrast, condition, and time, thereby enhancing the coherence and richness of their language. Mastering subordinating conjunctions is crucial for achieving fluency in English, whether you are a native speaker looking to refine your skills or a language learner aiming for proficiency. Through a series of targeted exercises, this page will guide you in identifying and employing these conjunctions correctly in various contexts. By practicing with different sentence structures and scenarios, you will develop a stronger grasp of how subordinating conjunctions can transform simple sentences into more nuanced and sophisticated expressions, ultimately improving both your writing and conversational abilities.

Exercise 1

1. She stayed home *because* she was feeling unwell (reason). 2. I will call you *when* I arrive at the airport (time). 3. He couldn't play football *since* he had twisted his ankle (reason). 4. They decided to go out *although* it was raining (contrast). 5. *Before* you leave, remember to lock the door (time). 6. She will get a reward *if* she finishes her homework on time (condition). 7. He studied hard *so that* he could pass the exam (purpose). 8. She always reads a book *while* traveling by train (time). 9. *Even though* he was tired, he continued working (contrast). 10. They had to stop the game *because* it started to snow heavily (reason).

Exercise 2

1. She stayed inside *because* it was raining (reason). 2. *Although* he was tired, he finished his homework (contrast). 3. We will start the meeting *after* everyone arrives (time). 4. You can go out *once* you finish your chores (condition). 5. *Since* she moved to the city, she has been very busy (reason). 6. They decided to cancel the trip *as* the weather was terrible (reason). 7. I will call you *when* I get home (time). 8. He saved his money *so that* he could buy a new car (purpose). 9. We couldn’t see the stars *because* the sky was cloudy (reason). 10. *While* I was cooking, the phone rang (time).

Exercise 3

1. She stayed up late *because* she had to finish her project (reason for action). 2. I will go for a walk *if* the weather is nice (condition for the action). 3. He moved to the city *so that* he could find a better job (purpose or reason). 4. *Although* it was raining, they decided to go hiking (contrast to the main idea). 5. We will start the meeting *once* everyone arrives (time indicator). 6. She kept practicing *until* she mastered the piano piece (time duration). 7. *As soon as* the bell rings, students will leave the classroom (immediate sequence). 8. They couldn't play outside *since* it was too cold (reason for restriction). 9. He went to bed early *so* he would be well-rested for the exam (purpose for action). 10. *Though* she was tired, she finished her homework (contrast to the main idea).