Combining Sentences Subordinating Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly combines the ideas using a subordinating conjunction: 'The lights went out. I lit a candle.'

The lights went out, so I lit a candle.

I lit a candle because the lights went out.

The lights went out, but I lit a candle.

I lit a candle, or the lights went out.

The lights going out is the reason (cause) for lighting the candle (effect). The subordinating conjunction 'because' correctly joins the cause (dependent clause) to the action (independent clause).

Explanation

The lights going out is the reason (cause) for lighting the candle (effect). The subordinating conjunction 'because' correctly joins the cause (dependent clause) to the action (independent clause).

2. Combine the ideas: ‘She went to bed _______ she finished reading her chapter.’

The word 'after' is the correct subordinating conjunction to establish a sequential time relationship, indicating that the reading was completed before she went to bed.

Explanation

The word 'after' is the correct subordinating conjunction to establish a sequential time relationship, indicating that the reading was completed before she went to bed.

Submit

3. The subordinating conjunction 'unless' is used to introduce a condition that must be met.

True

False

This is true. 'Unless' means 'if not' and introduces the necessary exception or condition for the main action to occur (e.g., I won't leave unless it stops raining).

Explanation

This is true. 'Unless' means 'if not' and introduces the necessary exception or condition for the main action to occur (e.g., I won't leave unless it stops raining).

4. Choose the best conjunction to combine the sentences: ‘The dog loves to swim. It hates taking a bath.’

After

So

Although

Since

Swimming and bathing are similar actions, but the feelings toward them are opposite. 'Although' is the best choice to show this contrast or concession.

Explanation

Swimming and bathing are similar actions, but the feelings toward them are opposite. 'Although' is the best choice to show this contrast or concession.

5. Which sentences correctly combine two ideas using a subordinating conjunction with logical meaning? (Select all that apply)

I wore my boots because it was snowing outside.

She smiled when her friend walked in the room.

Unless you clean your room, you will earn your allowance.

We took a break, though we were tired.

Both A and B logically combine the clauses. A uses 'because' to show cause. B uses 'when' to show the time/trigger for the action. C is illogical; 'unless' implies a negative consequence.

Explanation

Both A and B logically combine the clauses. A uses 'because' to show cause. B uses 'when' to show the time/trigger for the action. C is illogical; 'unless' implies a negative consequence.

Submit

6. Combine: ‘You need to work quietly. You might not finish your project on time.’

Work quietly, or you might not finish your project on time.

You need to work quietly, if you might not finish your project on time.

If you don't work quietly, you might not finish your project on time.

You need to work quietly, when you might not finish your project on time.

The conjunction 'If' correctly sets up a negative condition. If the condition of not working quietly is met, the consequence (not finishing) will occur.

Explanation

The conjunction 'If' correctly sets up a negative condition. If the condition of not working quietly is met, the consequence (not finishing) will occur.

7. Combine the sentences: ‘We stayed inside _______ it was raining too hard.’

The word 'because' is the correct subordinating conjunction to introduce the reason (the heavy rain) for the action in the main clause (staying inside).

Explanation

The word 'because' is the correct subordinating conjunction to introduce the reason (the heavy rain) for the action in the main clause (staying inside).

Submit

8. The sentence 'I watched TV, while I ate dinner' is punctuated correctly because the subordinating conjunction is in the middle.

True

False

This is false. While no comma is needed before the conjunction 'while' in this structure, the comma is incorrectly placed, making the punctuation wrong. No comma should be used here.

Explanation

This is false. While no comma is needed before the conjunction 'while' in this structure, the comma is incorrectly placed, making the punctuation wrong. No comma should be used here.

9. Which sentence uses a subordinating conjunction to show time sequence?

They went to bed before the movie ended.

They went to bed, for the movie was ending.

They went to bed, but the movie was ending.

They went to bed, so the movie ended.

The conjunction 'before' establishes a clear sequence of time, showing one action (going to bed) happened prior to the other (the movie ending).

Explanation

The conjunction 'before' establishes a clear sequence of time, showing one action (going to bed) happened prior to the other (the movie ending).

10. Which words are subordinating conjunctions? (Select all that apply)

Although

For

Because

And

Although' (contrast) and 'Because' (cause) are both subordinating conjunctions. 'For' and 'And' are coordinating conjunctions.

Explanation

Although' (contrast) and 'Because' (cause) are both subordinating conjunctions. 'For' and 'And' are coordinating conjunctions.

Submit

11. Complete the sentence to show simultaneous time: ‘I listened to music _______ I cleaned my room.’

The subordinating conjunction 'while' indicates that the two actions—listening to music and cleaning the room—were happening at the exact same time.

Explanation

The subordinating conjunction 'while' indicates that the two actions—listening to music and cleaning the room—were happening at the exact same time.

Submit

12. Which subordinating conjunction would you use to show the reason why someone did something?

Although

If

Since

Until

Since' can be used interchangeably with 'because' to introduce a clause that provides the reason or cause for the main action.

Explanation

Since' can be used interchangeably with 'because' to introduce a clause that provides the reason or cause for the main action.

13. When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., When the music stopped...), a comma must separate the dependent clause from the independent clause.

True

False

This statement is true. A comma is required after a dependent clause when it precedes the independent clause in a complex sentence.

Explanation

This statement is true. A comma is required after a dependent clause when it precedes the independent clause in a complex sentence.

14. Which sentence correctly combines the ideas to show contrast: ‘It was windy. We still had our picnic.’

It was windy, and we still had our picnic.

Although it was windy, we still had our picnic.

It was windy, so we still had our picnic.

We still had our picnic, if it was windy.

The conjunction 'Although' correctly shows that the picnic happened despite the strong contrast provided by the windy weather.

Explanation

The conjunction 'Although' correctly shows that the picnic happened despite the strong contrast provided by the windy weather.

15. Which sentences are correctly punctuated complex sentences? (Select all that apply)

The audience cheered when the singer took the stage.

Because it was raining, the game was postponed.

If you study hard you will pass the exam.

Unless he calls, we won't know the answer.

Sentence A is correct (no comma needed in the middle). Sentence B is correct (comma after the introductory clause). Sentence D is correct (comma after the introductory clause). C is missing a comma after 'hard'.

Explanation

Sentence A is correct (no comma needed in the middle). Sentence B is correct (comma after the introductory clause). Sentence D is correct (comma after the introductory clause). C is missing a comma after 'hard'.

Submit

16. Complete the sentence to show a negative condition: ‘We cannot start the game _______ everyone arrives.’

The word 'unless' sets the condition: if everyone does not arrive, the game cannot start, correctly linking the two clauses.

Explanation

The word 'unless' sets the condition: if everyone does not arrive, the game cannot start, correctly linking the two clauses.

Submit

17. The conjunction 'If' is primarily used to introduce which kind of dependent clause?

A time clause

A clause of cause

A conditional clause

A contrast clause

The conjunction 'If' is used to introduce a conditional clause, stating the circumstance under which the main action will or might occur.

Explanation

The conjunction 'If' is used to introduce a conditional clause, stating the circumstance under which the main action will or might occur.

18. In the sentence 'I packed a coat, since the temperature dropped,' the conjunction 'since' correctly shows the reason for packing the coat.

True

False

This is true. 'Since' is used here to mean 'because,' establishing the drop in temperature as the reason for packing the coat.

Explanation

This is true. 'Since' is used here to mean 'because,' establishing the drop in temperature as the reason for packing the coat.

19. Which subordinating conjunctions relate to the concept of time? (Select all that apply)

Before

While

If

So

Before' and 'While' are both used to define the time relationship between the dependent and independent clauses. 'If' is condition; 'So' is coordinating and shows result.

Explanation

Before' and 'While' are both used to define the time relationship between the dependent and independent clauses. 'If' is condition; 'So' is coordinating and shows result.

Submit

20. Complete the sentence to show simultaneous time: ‘_______ the dog barked, the mail carrier ran away.’

The conjunction 'As' is used to indicate that the two actions—the dog barking and the mail carrier running away—happened concurrently or immediately upon the other.

Explanation

The conjunction 'As' is used to indicate that the two actions—the dog barking and the mail carrier running away—happened concurrently or immediately upon the other.

Submit

Complex Structure: Combining Sentences Subordinating Quiz