Complex Sentence Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these complex sentence exercises by choosing the correct subordinating conjunction from the options provided:

Given options:

- where
- if
- because
- while
- unless
- whereas
- till
- after

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1) Terry told us about the incident ________ we had reached the place.

Answer: *while*
Explanation: "While" shows that the action (Terry telling us) happened during the time we were reaching the place.
✔ Correct sentence: Terry told us about the incident while we had reached the place.
(Note: Grammatically, "had reached" is past perfect; it could be better as "when" or "as," but "while" is acceptable here for continuity.)

But wait — "had reached" implies a completed action before another. So “while” might not be ideal. Let’s reconsider:
Better choice: after
Because the telling happened after they reached.
✔ Best answer: after
👉 *Terry told us about the incident after we had reached the place.*

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2) Ross took care of our garden ________ we were away.

Answer: *while*
Explanation: "While" indicates the time during which Ross took care of the garden — during the period we were away.
✔ Correct sentence: Ross took care of our garden while we were away.

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3) I thought Kia was a rude person, ________ in fact she is very kind.

Answer: *whereas*
Explanation: "Whereas" is used to show contrast between two ideas. The first part expresses an opinion, and the second corrects it with a contrasting truth.
✔ Correct sentence: I thought Kia was a rude person, whereas in fact she is very kind.

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4) ________ there is a will, there is a way.

Answer: *where*
Explanation: This is a common proverb. "Where" introduces a conditional idea — wherever there is a will, there is a way. It's idiomatic.
✔ Correct sentence: Where there is a will, there is a way.

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5) ________ you wish to join the club, please fill this form.

Answer: *if*
Explanation: "If" introduces a condition — if you want to join, then do something.
✔ Correct sentence: If you wish to join the club, please fill this form.

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6) ________ you are very fit, you should not embark on mountaineering.

Answer: *unless*
Explanation: "Unless" means "except if." The sentence implies that only if you're not very fit should you avoid mountaineering — so the logic is: unless you are very fit, don’t go.
Wait — let’s analyze:
The sentence says: "________ you are very fit, you should not embark..."
So if you are fit → you should not go? That seems odd.
But if it's saying: "You shouldn't go unless you are very fit," that would make sense.

Actually, the intended meaning is likely:
Unless you are very fit, you should not embark on mountaineering.
Which means: If you are not very fit, don’t go.
✔ So unless fits perfectly.

✔ Correct sentence: Unless you are very fit, you should not embark on mountaineering.

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7) We waited at the airport ________ the flight took off.

Answer: *until*
But "until" is not in the list. Wait — the options are:
where, if, because, while, unless, whereas, till, after

Ah! till is there — and "till" = "until"

✔ Answer: *till*
Explanation: "Till" means "until." We waited until the flight took off.
✔ Correct sentence: We waited at the airport till the flight took off.

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8) Jake didn’t play today ________ he had a toe injury.

Answer: *because*
Explanation: This gives the reason why Jake didn’t play — he had an injury.
✔ Correct sentence: Jake didn’t play today because he had a toe injury.

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✔ Final Answers:

1) after
2) while
3) whereas
4) where
5) if
6) unless
7) till
8) because

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Summary Table:

| Sentence | Answer | Reason |
|--------|--------|--------|
| 1 | after | Action occurred after arrival |
| 2 | while | During the time we were away |
| 3 | whereas | Shows contrast |
| 4 | where | Idiomatic expression: "Where there is a will..." |
| 5 | if | Conditional clause |
| 6 | unless | "Unless you are fit" = if you aren't fit |
| 7 | till | Means "until" — matches context |
| 8 | because | Explains the reason |

Let me know if you'd like these sentences rewritten in full!