Name: ______Period:____Date:______

After, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wherever, whether, which, and while.

We call these the
AAAAWWWWWWWWUUBBIIS words, and they start dependent or subordinating clauses. Here are some good examples for you to keep.

You can use subordinating conjunctions to correct run-on sentences and comma splices. And you can use them to combine sentences so that writing is less choppy. Consider the following examples. Dependents clauses below are highlighted so that the clauses and sentences can be more readily identified.

  • Complex Sentence: I wanted to understand Shakespearean language because it is difficult to understand Romeo and Juliet if one does not know what his words and literary devices mean.
  • In this sentence, the subordinate clause is at the end. It would also be correct to place the subordinate clause at the beginning of the sentence.
  • Because it is difficult to understand Romeo and Juliet if one does not know what his words and literary mean, I wanted to understand Shakespearean language.
    Notice that when the subordinate clause comes at the beginning, it’s necessary to insert a comma.
  • Complex Sentence: While Romeo watches Juliet dance, Tybalt recognizes Romeo and runs to tell his uncle that he cannot endure a Montague’s presence. (Subordinate clause at the beginning of the sentence).
  • Tybalt recognizes Romeo and runs to tell his uncle that he cannot endure a Montague’s presence while Romeo watches Juliet dance.

(Subordinate clause at the end of the sentence).

Subordination and Coordination Exercise

Join the two independent clauses to make a compound sentence. Use one of the coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet). Remember to use a comma before the connecting word.

  • Romeo walks in the early morning hours. He becomes aware of Benvolio’s presence.
  • The nurse tells a story of Juliet. Lady Capulet becomes annoyed.
  • Lord Capulet wants his daughter to marry Paris. He wants to wait two more years.
  • Romeo becomes aware of Benvolio’s presence. He runs off in a different direction.

Join the two independent clauses to make a complex sentence. Use one of the subordinating conjunctions (after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than, since, so that, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wherever, whether, which, and while). Remember to use a comma if the subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of the sentence.

  • Romeo agrees to go to the Capulet masquerade. He can see Rosaline
  • Romeo has had a dream before going to the masquerade (party/feast/dance). He fears that something will happen that night.
  • Tybalt hates all Montagues. Tybalt wants Romeo removed from the masque.

Identify the dependent clauses in these sentences and place commas where they are needed.

  1. Most of the food that the nobles served at masquerades and feasts came from the farms they owned and the peasants who grew it.
  1. Tybalt who is disobedient to his uncle will hold a grudge against Romeo for crashing the feast.
  1. As Prince Escalus rides into Verona’s town square, the townspeople scatter to get out of his way.
  1. After Prince Escalus addresses the townspeople, the Montagues, and the Capulets, he tells all “to depart on fear of death.”
  1. Although most 9th graders in the country read Romeo and Juliet, not all of them are as knowledgeable as Unami students.
  1. The Prince tells the two households that if they ever disturb the quiet of Verona’s streets again their lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace because he must keep order in his father’s kingdom.
  1. Romeo tells Benvolio that he will go to the masquerade so that he can feast on the beauty of Rosaline, not to feast on the beauty of other women.
  1. Mercutio, who is a passionate, well-educated and mercurial young man, does not convince Romeo that his dream is not a warning about his impending doom.
  1. When pigs fly, I will give up on my students.
  1. If you don’t believe the above statement, you could be telling me that you believe that pigs have wings and can lift their hefty bodies off of the ground with them.