Subordinating Conjunctions (SWABI)
What is the subordinating conjunction in the following sentence, and what does it do?
“Because I forgot my lunch, I had to buy food from the nearby fast food restaurant.”
The subordinating conjunction is because.
It introduces a dependent clause and shows cause, explaining why the action in the main clause happened.
Which of the following is an independent clause?
A) While he was sleeping
B) If it rains tomorrow
C) She enjoys painting
D) Because she was late
Answer: C
Explanation: “She enjoys painting” is a complete thought and can stand alone.
Which of the following correctly joins two independent clauses with a FANBOYS conjunction?
A) She wanted to leave, but she stayed to help.
B) She wanted to leave but stayed to help.
C) She wanted to leave but, she stayed to help.
D) She wanted to leave. But she stayed to help.
Answer: A) She wanted to leave, but she stayed to help.
Which sentence correctly uses a THAMO with two independent clauses?
A) I was tired, however I stayed awake.
B) I was tired. However, I stayed awake.
C) I was tired; however I stayed awake.
D) I was tired however, I stayed awake.
Answer: B
Explanation: This correctly separates independent clauses using a period before and a comma after “however.”
Choose the correct SWABI subordinating conjunction to complete this sentence, and explain your choice:
“_____ the sun set, the sky turned orange.”
A) Because
B) When
C) If
Correct answer: B) When
“When the sun set” introduces a time relationship and a dependent clause. It tells when the main action happened.
Which sentence correctly combines a dependent and independent clause?
A) Although he was tired. He kept working.
B) He kept working although he was tired.
C) He kept working. Although he was tired.
D) Although. He was tired, he kept working.
Answer: B
Explanation: B correctly places the dependent clause after the independent clause.
Which coordinating conjunction introduces an alternative or a choice?
A) But
B) Nor
C) So
D) Or
Answer: D
Explanation: Or shows a choice between alternatives.
What’s wrong with this sentence?
“We were winning the game; therefore we kept playing hard.”
Answer: Missing comma after “therefore”
Correction: “We were winning the game; therefore, we kept playing hard.”
Choose the sentence with the correct placement of a subordinating conjunction.
A) The game was canceled because it rained.
B) Because it rained. The game was canceled.
C) It rained. Because, the game was canceled.
D) Because, it rained the game was canceled
Option A has a dependent clause attached to an independent clause, which makes it a correct complex sentence.
Identify the sentence where the clause starting with “that” functions as a noun.
A) That he lied was obvious.
B) I don’t like that book.
C) The car that I bought is blue.
D) That jacket is too expensive.
Answer: A
Explanation: “That he lied” acts as the subject of the sentence.
Which FANBOYS word can create a compound sentence with contrast, and how should it be punctuated?
Answer: "But" can show contrast.
Which sentence uses a THAMO incorrectly?
A) I forgot my homework; therefore, I got a zero.
B) I studied; meanwhile, my brother played video games.
C) I left early, however, I was still late.
D) I was hungry; nevertheless, I didn’t eat.
Answer: C
Explanation: “However” cannot follow a comma alone when connecting two independent clauses; it should follow a semicolon or start a new sentence.