Identify the Subordinating Conjunction in the Sentence | Turtle ... - Free Printable

You're absolutely right — the task is to circle the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

Let’s first clarify what a subordinating conjunction is:

> A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause (which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence) to an independent clause (which can stand alone). It shows the relationship between the two ideas — such as time, cause, condition, contrast, etc.

Common subordinating conjunctions include:
- after, before, when, while, since, because, although, if, until, unless, as, than, that, so that, etc.

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Now let’s go through each sentence and identify the subordinating conjunction. I’ll explain each one briefly.

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✔ 1. We went to the dinner *after* the movie, then we went home.
→ “after” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the dependent clause “after the movie,” which tells *when* they went to dinner.

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✔ 2. My sister decided to go to the dance rather than stay home for the evening.
→ “rather than” is NOT a subordinating conjunction — it’s a correlative conjunction or phrase used for comparison.
There is no subordinating conjunction here.
*(Note: Some might argue “than” is a subordinator in comparisons, but “rather than” as a phrase doesn’t introduce a full dependent clause like “after” or “because” do. This sentence has no true dependent clause — both parts are parallel infinitives.)*
👉 So, no circle needed — or perhaps this is a trick question. But technically, not a subordinating conjunction.

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✔ 3. Every year I try to stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve.
→ “until” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the dependent clause “until midnight,” showing duration/time.

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✔ 4. Our dog barks whenever there is someone at the door.
→ “whenever” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the dependent clause “whenever there is someone at the door.”

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✔ 5. Burt saved his money so that he could buy a new game.
→ “so that” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the purpose clause “so that he could buy a new game.”

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✔ 6. As they waited for the bus, the children told each other jokes.
→ “As” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the dependent clause “As they waited for the bus,” showing time.

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✔ 7. Tara packed a bathing suit because there would be a pool at the hotel.
→ “because” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the reason clause “because there would be a pool...”

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✔ 8. Since the team has won the championship, the players feel they can relax.
→ “Since” is the subordinating conjunction.
It introduces the reason/time clause “Since the team has won...”

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✔ 9. Please don’t leave the room until the teacher has given you permission.
→ “until” is the subordinating conjunction.
Introduces the time clause “until the teacher has given you permission.”

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✔ 10. If everyone is quiet, we will have time at the end of class to play a game.
→ “If” is the subordinating conjunction.
Introduces the conditional clause “If everyone is quiet.”

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✔ 11. Patricia watched television while her parents entertained friends.
→ “while” is the subordinating conjunction.
Introduces the time clause “while her parents entertained friends.”

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✔ 12. Tommy enjoys playing tennis although he isn’t very good at it.
→ “although” is the subordinating conjunction.
Introduces the contrast clause “although he isn’t very good at it.”

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✔ 13. This car is much larger than the one we used to have.
→ “than” is the subordinating conjunction.
In comparative structures, “than” introduces the dependent clause “than the one we used to have.”
*(Technically, some grammarians debate whether “than” is a conjunction or preposition here — but in modern usage, especially in school grammar, it’s often treated as a subordinating conjunction in comparisons.)*

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✔ 14. I didn’t go to school yesterday because I was not feeling well.
→ “because” is the subordinating conjunction.
Introduces the reason clause “because I was not feeling well.”

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✔ 15. The game will begin after both teams are on the field.
→ “after” is the subordinating conjunction.
Introduces the time clause “after both teams are on the field.”

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## ✔ Final Answer Key (Circle these):

1. after
2. *(none — “rather than” is not a subordinating conjunction)*
3. until
4. whenever
5. so that
6. As
7. because
8. Since
9. until
10. If
11. while
12. although
13. than
14. because
15. after

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📌 Note for Sentence 2: If your curriculum teaches “rather than” as a subordinating conjunction (some do, especially in elementary levels), you may circle it — but strictly speaking, it does not introduce a dependent clause with a subject and verb like the others. The structure is “to go... rather than [to] stay” — both are infinitive phrases, not clauses.

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✔ You’ve already circled #1 correctly! Keep going with the rest using this guide.

Happy learning! 🐢📚