SPAG – subordinate clauses

What is a clause?
A clause is a sentence!

Lucy was the youngest.

 What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction is a word which still links two clauses
together in a sentence, but the subordinate clause it adds does not make
sense on its own.

Let’s look at a few examples:

The White Witch would lose if humans entered Narnia.

Main Clause Subordinating Subordinate Clause

Conjunction
‘The white witch would lose’ is the main clause. This clause makes sense
on its own.
The subordinating conjunction in this sentence is ‘if’. It starts the
subordinate clause.
‘humans entered Narnia’ is the subordinate clause. This doesn’t make
sense on its own but does add extra information to the main clause.
 With a talk partner: Which
Conjunction Makes Sense?
Read the main and subordinate clauses below and decide which
subordinating conjunction would make the most sense.

Beth was a little bit scared the ride was

spinning quickly.

Hazim cheered loudly his favourite player

scored a goal.

I didn’t go to school it was closed for the

summer holidays.

If Since As When Although While After Before Until

Because!
Which Conjunction Makes Sense?
Did you manage to choose a subordinating conjunction which makes
sense in the sentence?

Beth was a little bit scared as the ride was

spinning quickly.
In this sentence, the conjunctions ‘because’, ‘when’ and ‘while’
also make sense.

Hazim cheered loudly when his favourite player

scored a goal.
In this sentence, the conjunctions ‘because’, ‘as’, ‘while’ and
‘after’ also make sense.

I didn’t go to school while it was closed for the

summer holidays.
In this sentence, the conjunctions ‘because’, ‘since’, ‘as’ and
‘when’ also make sense.
 Where Is the Subordinate Clause?
In your books, write the following sentences and underline the
subordinate clause. Red pen to mark the answers as a whole class!

1 . Arthur had not seen his brother since he pulled

the sword out of the stone.

2. King Alfred smiled for the crowd as he rode on his

horse.

3 . The Viking was tired after rowing in the

longship for seven hours.

Top tip: A subordinate clause does not make sense on its own.
 Answers: Where Is the Subordinate
Clause?
The subordinate clauses in these sentences are underlined. They
always start with a subordinating conjunction.

1 . Arthur had not seen his brother since he pulled

the sword out of the stone.

2. King Alfred smiled for the crowd as he rode on his

horse.

3 . The Viking was tired after rowing in the

longship for seven hours.
 Spin the Wheel!
Spin the wheel to select a subordinating conjunction.

Spin the wheel to choose a subordinating

conjunction. In your books, write your
own sentence about the wardrobe
Spin including that conjunction to start a
subordinate clause.
 Spin the Wheel!
Spin the wheel to select a subordinating conjunction.

Spin the wheel to choose a subordinating

conjunction. In your books, write your
own sentence about Lucy including that
Spin conjunction to start a subordinate
clause.
 Spin the Wheel!
Spin the wheel to select a subordinating conjunction.

Spin the wheel to choose a subordinating

conjunction. In your books, write your
own sentence about this scene including
Spin that conjunction to start a subordinate
clause.
 Spin the Wheel!
Spin the wheel to select a subordinating conjunction.

Spin the wheel to choose a subordinating

conjunction. In your books, write your
own sentence about the WHite
Spin WItchincluding that conjunction to start
a subordinate clause.
 Go for it! Sentences with
subordinate clauses
Choose a main clause, a subordinating conjunction and a subordinate
clause to make sentences you can use.
Main Subordinating Subordinate Clauses
Clauses Conjunctions
The Vikings sailed because they were being attacked.
to England
until the storm began.
Erik rowed quickly
although they wanted to invade.
The sailors slept on
deck while the men rowed altogether.

The longship before Sven slept quietly.

travelled at great
speed when they were tired.
Challenge: can you come up with your own sentences about longships
using a subordinating conjunction and subordinate clauses?
 End of lesson

1 . Check your sentences – have

you used capital letters and
full stops?
 Block Busters
Fill in the missing words by choosing an appropriate subordinating
conjunction. Use the first letter of each answer to spell out the
hidden word.

2a a
4 6i
1
w 3s 5b

1) Li listened to some music he waited.

2) I ate my dessert I ate my dinner.
3) It has been a long time I have seen my auntie.
4) I tried my best on the test it was hard.
5) Paul must tidy up the mess his Granny sees it.
6) You would be very tired you had just finished a marathon.
 Block Busters

2a a
4 6i
1
w 3s 5b

1) Li listened to some music while he waited.

2) I ate my dessert after I ate my dinner.
3) It has been a long time since I have seen my auntie.
4) I tried my best on the test although it was hard.
5) Paul must tidy up the mess before his Granny sees it.
6) You would be very tired if you had just finished a marathon.

What does the hidden word mean? Look it up in a dictionary!

Can you write it in a sentence using a subordinating conjunction?
Subordinate Clause Quick Quiz
Take a quiz to see if you are an expert!
In this sentence is it the main clause or the
subordinate clause that is underlined?

Vivian was tired as she hadn’t slept.

main subordinate

You’re correct. How did you know?

Subordinate Clause Quick Quiz
Take a quiz to see if you are an expert!
In this sentence is it the main clause or the
subordinate clause that is underlined?

Greg put up an umbrella when it started raining.

main subordinate

We know it’s a main clause because it makes sense on its own.

Subordinate Clause Quick Quiz
Take a quiz to see if you are an expert!
In this sentence is it the main clause or the
subordinate clause that is underlined?

We could not go to the swimming baths because

it was closed.

main subordinate

You’re correct. How did you know?

Subordinate Clause Quick Quiz
Take a quiz to see if you are an expert!
In this sentence is it the main clause or the
subordinate clause that is underlined?

Don’t go into the sea until the waves calm down.

main subordinate

Which word in this sentence is the subordinating conjunction?

Subordinate Clause Quick Quiz
Take a quiz to see if you are an expert!
In this sentence is it the main clause or the
subordinate clause that is underlined?

Zhou could not go on holiday although she really

wanted to.

main subordinate

Why is this the main clause?

Subordinate Clause Quick Quiz
Take a quiz to see if you are an expert!
In this sentence is it the main clause or the
subordinate clause that is underlined?

I can spot subordinate clauses as I am a SPaG genius!

main subordinate

You must be a genius because that’s right!