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Practice 1: Prepositions and Subordinate Conjunctions step by step. The goal is to determine whether the
bolded word in each sentence is a
preposition (PP) or a
subordinate conjunction (SC).
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🔹 Key Difference:
-
Preposition (PP): Followed by a
noun phrase (a noun or noun phrase).
Example: *after dinner* → "dinner" is a noun.
-
Subordinate Conjunction (SC): Introduces a
clause (subject + verb).
Example: *after he finished his homework* → "he finished" is a subject + verb.
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Now, let’s analyze each sentence:
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1.
_______ John visited his friend after dinner.
- "after dinner" → "dinner" is a
noun, not a clause.
✔ PP (Preposition)
2.
_______ John visited his friend after he finished his homework.
- "after he finished his homework" → "he finished" is a
subject + verb (clause).
✔ SC (Subordinate Conjunction)
3.
_______ Before class, Melissa printed her assignment.
- "Before class" → "class" is a
noun. No subject/verb.
✔ PP
4.
_______ Before Melissa went to class, she studied for the quiz.
- "Before Melissa went to class" → "Melissa went" is a
subject + verb (clause).
✔ SC
5.
_______ While Jean was eating breakfast, she chatted with her friends.
- "While Jean was eating breakfast" → "Jean was eating" is a
subject + verb.
✔ SC
6.
_______ During breakfast, Jean thought about her next class.
- "During breakfast" → "breakfast" is a
noun.
✔ PP
7.
_______ George has been sick since Saturday.
- "since Saturday" → "Saturday" is a
noun (time).
✔ PP
8.
_______ George has been a student in college since he was 17 years old.
- "since he was 17 years old" → "he was" is a
subject + verb.
✔ SC
9.
_______ George has been at RIT for 3 years.
- "for 3 years" → "3 years" is a
noun phrase.
✔ PP
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
PP
2.
SC
3.
PP
4.
SC
5.
SC
6.
PP
7.
PP
8.
SC
9.
PP
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📌 Summary Table:
| # | Sentence | Bold Word | Type |
|---|--------|-----------|------|
| 1 | after dinner | after | PP |
| 2 | after he finished... | after | SC |
| 3 | Before class | Before | PP |
| 4 | Before Melissa went... | Before | SC |
| 5 | While Jean was eating... | While | SC |
| 6 | During breakfast | During | PP |
| 7 | since Saturday | since | PP |
| 8 | since he was 17 | since | SC |
| 9 | for 3 years | for | PP |
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✔ Key Takeaway:
Always check what follows the word:
- If it’s a
noun/noun phrase →
preposition
- If it’s a
subject + verb (a complete clause) →
subordinate conjunction
Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer sheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of adverbial clause worksheet.
