Main and Subordinate Clauses - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

20 original exam-style questions - 11 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

Download PDFJump to mark scheme (page 12)Read the revision guide
« Previous: Grammar and PunctuationNext: Complex Sentences »
Revision Library
revisionlibrary.co.uk
KS3 · Grammar

Y7.1 Main and Subordinate Clauses

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.
1
A main clause makes complete sense on its own and could stand as a full sentence. A subordinate clause does not make complete sense on its own; it depends on a main clause. For each group of words below, tick whether it is a main clause or a subordinate clause.
(a)The bell rang for lunch.(1)
  • A) Main clause
  • B) Subordinate clause
(b)Because the bell rang for lunch(1)
  • A) Main clause
  • B) Subordinate clause
(c)Whenever the weather turns cold(1)
  • A) Main clause
  • B) Subordinate clause
(d)The gardener planted new roses.(1)
  • A) Main clause
  • B) Subordinate clause
(e)Although the exam was difficult(1)
  • A) Main clause
  • B) Subordinate clause
(f)The bus arrived early this morning.(1)
  • A) Main clause
  • B) Subordinate clause
2
Which one of these is a subordinate clause?
  • A) The rain stopped.
  • B) Since the rain stopped
  • C) The rain stopped, and we went outside.
  • D) We went outside.
3
Each sentence below contains a subordinate clause. Write down the subordinating conjunction that begins it.
(a)Before the sun rose, the fishing boats set out to sea.(1)
(b)The football match was postponed because the pitch was flooded.(1)
(c)Unless you finish your homework, you cannot watch television.(1)
(d)While the kettle boiled, Aisha packed her school bag.(1)
(e)The crowd cheered as the runner crossed the finish line.(1)
4
Here is a word bank of subordinating conjunctions.
althoughbecausebeforeifsince
unlesswhenwherewhereaswherever

Complete each sentence below with the conjunction from the word bank that fits best. Each word may be used once only; you will not need every word.
(a)___ the school bell rings at half past three, lessons end for the day.(1)
(b)___ the play lasted over three hours, the audience stayed until the very end.(1)
(c)You cannot enter the exam hall ___ your name is on the register.(1)
(d)Zara enjoys drama club, ___ her brother prefers the chess club.(1)
(e)The treasure was buried ___ two old oak trees stood side by side.(1)
5
Each sentence below is complex. Write out the main clause only (the part that could stand alone as a complete sentence).
(a)Although the rain hammered the roof, the children continued their game.(1)
(b)The scientist recorded her results after the experiment had finished.(1)
(c)Because the bridge was closed, drivers took a longer route to the city.(1)
(d)The team celebrated wildly when the final whistle blew.(1)
6
Tick whether each sentence is simple, compound, complex or compound-complex.
(a)The wind howled and the rain lashed against the windows.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
(b)When the bell rang, the pupils lined up quietly.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
(c)The museum was unusually busy on Saturday.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
(d)Although she was tired, she finished the race, and her friends cheered loudly.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
7
Some subordinate clauses are relative clauses. They begin with a relative pronoun such as who, which, that or whose, and give more information about a noun. Write down the relative clause in each sentence.
(a)The teacher who marked our books praised our progress.(1)
(b)The bicycle that Tom rides to school is bright red.(1)
(c)The scientist whose research won an award spoke at the conference.(1)
8
Combine each pair of simple sentences into one complex sentence, using the subordinating conjunction given in brackets. You may place the subordinate clause first or last; if it comes first, remember the comma.
(a)The alarm sounded. Everyone left the building. (When)(1)
(b)It started to rain heavily. The match continued. (Although)(1)
(c)You practise every day. You will improve quickly. (If)(1)
(d)We returned our library books. The library closed for the holidays. (Before)(1)
9
Complete each sentence with a subordinate clause of your own that matches the relationship shown in brackets. Any sensible clause is accepted.
(a)The picnic was cancelled ___ (reason)(1)
(b)___ (time), the shop had already closed.(1)
(c)You will pass the driving test ___ (condition)(1)
10
Rewrite each sentence so that the subordinate clause comes at the start. Remember to add a comma after the fronted clause.
(a)The children cheered when their team scored the winning goal.(1)
(b)Maria checked her bag twice because she was nervous about the exam.(1)
(c)The farmers watched the sky anxiously as the storm approached.(1)
11
Which sentence uses a comma correctly after a fronted subordinate clause?
  • A) Before the race began the runners stretched.
  • B) Before the race began, the runners stretched.
  • C) Before, the race began the runners stretched.
  • D) Before the race, began the runners stretched.
12
Each sentence below begins with a subordinate clause. Tick whether the comma has been used correctly or is missing/misplaced.
(a)Although he was exhausted he finished the marathon.(1)
  • A) Comma correct
  • B) Comma missing or misplaced
(b)When the fire alarm rang, everybody left the building calmly.(1)
  • A) Comma correct
  • B) Comma missing or misplaced
(c)Because the trains were delayed the platform grew crowded.(1)
  • A) Comma correct
  • B) Comma missing or misplaced
(d)Whenever the tide comes in, the rock pools disappear.(1)
  • A) Comma correct
  • B) Comma missing or misplaced
13
Combine each pair of sentences into one, using a relative pronoun (who, which, that or whose) to create a relative clause.
(a)The teacher praised the students. The students had worked hard all term.(1)
(b)The novel is set in Victorian London. Farah is reading the novel.(1)
(c)The car broke down on the motorway. The car's engine was very old.(1)
14
Each of these is a subordinate clause that has wrongly been punctuated as if it were a complete sentence (a sentence fragment). Correct each one, either by adding a main clause of your own or by removing the subordinating conjunction.
(a)Because the bus was late.(2)
(b)Although the forecast promised sunshine.(2)
(c)When the final bell rings.(2)
15
Identify and correct the punctuation error in each sentence below.
(a)Before we left home we checked the weather forecast.(1)
(b)The pupils who had finished early, went outside to play.(1)
(c)Since the museum was closed we visited the park instead.(1)
16
Each sentence below uses a subordinating conjunction that does not make sense. Identify the conjunction that is wrong and rewrite the sentence with a more suitable one.
(a)Although it was raining, we brought an umbrella.(1)
(b)We stayed indoors because the sun was shining.(1)
(c)Unless you arrive early, you will get a good seat.(1)
17
Below is a paragraph with several errors involving main and subordinate clauses, sentence boundaries and missing punctuation. Rewrite it correctly, correcting every error you can find.

'the school trip to the coast was nearly cancelled because of the weather forecast. when the coach finally arrived everyone cheered we climbed aboard as quickly as we could. Because we couldn't wait to reach the sea our teacher counted us onto the coach twice just to be sure. Which made the whole queue laugh.'
(6)
18
Write your own complex sentence for each situation below, using the subordinating conjunction given. Punctuate your sentence correctly.
(a)(because) - about doing your homework(1)
(b)(although) - about the weather or a sports event(1)
(c)(if) - about revising for a test or exam(1)
(d)(when) - about arriving somewhere(1)
19
Write two of your own sentences, each containing a relative clause. Sentence 1 should be about a person, using who or whose. Sentence 2 should be about a thing or place, using which or that.
(a)Sentence 1 (about a person: who / whose)(1)
(b)Sentence 2 (about a thing or place: which / that)(1)
20
Write a short paragraph (approximately 80-100 words) about a day that did not go to plan. Your paragraph must include: a complex sentence with the subordinate clause at the front, correctly followed by a comma; a complex sentence with the subordinate clause at the end; and at least one relative clause (using who, which, that or whose). Underline each subordinate or relative clause you use.
(8)
Mark scheme · Y7.1 Main and Subordinate Clauses

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19

Question 20