Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheets and Exercises

Subordinating conjunctions connect a main clause with a dependent clause to show time, reason, contrast, or condition. Words like because, although, if, when, and while are common examples. Practicing with these exercises helps learners understand how to form complex sentences and express ideas more clearly.

Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheets

Before trying the worksheets, take a moment to read our full Subordinating Conjunctions article to understand their meanings, functions, and examples in sentences.

Subordinating Conjunctions Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks: choose the correct subordinating conjunction

(because, although, if, when, while, before, after, since, until, unless)

1. I stayed home ___ it was raining.

2. She smiled ___ she was tired.

3. We will go out ___ it stops raining.

4. He was reading a book ___ I called him.

5. Wait here ___ I come back.

6. I have loved music ___ I was a child.

7. You can’t go out ___ you finish your homework.

8. Wash your hands ___ you eat.

9. He left ___ the movie ended.

10. I won’t go ___ you invite me.

2. Combine the sentences using subordinating conjunctions

(Use: because, after, when, although, if, while, until, since, before, unless)

1. She was late. She missed the bus.

2. I felt happy. I saw my friend.

3. We ate dinner. We watched a movie.

4. I won’t join. You ask me politely.

5. He was tired. He finished his work.

6. Don’t leave. The teacher comes.

7. I stayed inside. It was very cold.

8. She was reading. The phone rang.

9. He studied hard. He passed the exam.

10. You can borrow the book. You return it tomorrow.

3. Identify the Subordinating Conjunction

Underline or highlight the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

1. I didn’t go out because it was raining.

2. She smiled although she was tired.

3. I’ll call you when I get home.

4. Wait until the teacher arrives.

5. He hasn’t eaten since he came back.

6. You can’t go out unless you finish homework.

7. She was reading while I cooked dinner.

8. They left after the movie ended.

9. I couldn’t sleep because I drank coffee.

10. Although it was late, she kept working.

4. Correct the Mistakes

(Each sentence has a wrong or missing subordinating conjunction)

1. I didn’t go out since it was too hot. (✗ wrong)

2. He studies hardly because he wants to pass.

3. I will call you because I reach home.

4. We watched TV although eating dinner.

5. He left since the meeting started.

6. She was angry while he forgot her birthday.

7. Don’t leave because I finish talking.

8. They were happy if they won the game.

9. I was reading because she called me.

10. He didn’t sleep when he was very tired.

5. Make Your Own Sentences

Use these subordinating conjunctions in your own sentences:
(because, although, since, while, if, before, after, unless, until, when)

1. Because → ______________________________

2. Although → ______________________________

3. Since → ______________________________

4. While → ______________________________

5. If → ______________________________

6. Before → ______________________________

7. After → ______________________________

8. Unless → ______________________________

9. Until → ______________________________

10. When → ______________________________

________________________________________________________________

Answer Key:

1. Fill in the blanks

1. I stayed home because it was raining.

2. She smiled although she was tired.

3. We will go out if it stops raining.

4. He was reading a book when I called him.

5. Wait here until I come back.

6. I have loved music since I was a child.

7. You can’t go out unless you finish your homework.

8. Wash your hands before you eat.

9. He left after the movie ended.

10. I won’t go unless you invite me.

2. Combine the sentences

1. She was late because she missed the bus.

2. I felt happy when I saw my friend.

3. We ate dinner and after we finished, we watched a movie.
   (or: We watched a movie after we ate dinner.)

4. I won’t join unless you ask me politely.

5. He was tired, although he finished his work.

6. Don’t leave until the teacher comes.

7. I stayed inside because it was very cold.

8. She was reading when the phone rang.

9. He studied hard, so he passed the exam.
   (better with: He passed the exam because he studied hard.)

10. You can borrow the book if you return it tomorrow.

3. Identify the subordinating conjunction

1. I didn’t go out because it was raining.

2. She smiled although she was tired.

3. I’ll call you when I get home.

4. Wait until the teacher arrives.

5. He hasn’t eaten since he came back.

6. You can’t go out unless you finish homework.

7. She was reading while I cooked dinner.

8. They left after the movie ended.

9. I couldn’t sleep because I drank coffee.

10. Although it was late, she kept working.

4. Correct the Mistakes

1. I didn’t go out because it was too hot.

2. He studies hard because he wants to pass.

3. I will call you when I reach home.

4. We watched TV while eating dinner.

5. He left after the meeting started.

6. She was angry because he forgot her birthday.

7. Don’t leave until I finish talking.

8. They were happy when they won the game.

9. I was reading when she called me.

10. He didn’t sleep although he was very tired.

5. Make Your Own Sentences (Sample Answers)

• Because → I stayed home because it was raining.

• Although → Although she was tired, she kept studying.

• Since → I have known him since we were children.

• While → She was cooking while I set the table.

• If → If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

• Before → Wash your hands before dinner.

• After → We went for a walk after lunch.

• Unless → You can’t enter unless you have a ticket.

• Until → Wait here until I come back.

• When → I was happy when I got the news.