Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet

A subordinating conjunction is a connecting word such as because, although, if, until, or while. It links a dependent clause to an independent clause and tells the reader exactly how the two ideas fit together — a reason, a contrast, a condition, or a moment in time. This subordinating conjunctions worksheet gives 3rd Grade students focused practice with that job, moving them beyond short simple sentences and into the complex sentences that Common Core standard L.3.1.h asks them to write.

This 3rd grade conjunctions worksheet works through the skill in three steps. In Part A students read five sentences and choose the one conjunction from the word box that makes each sentence make sense. In Part B they join two short sentences into one complex sentence using the conjunction shown. In Part C they write an original sentence and underline the conjunction they used. Print it as morning work, an independent center, a homework page, or a quick check after a grammar mini-lesson. The answer key on the last page makes grading fast.

What’s Included

• 1 print-ready PDF worksheet
• Answer key
• 5 word-box sentence-completion items, 2 sentence-combining items, and 1 write-your-own-sentence item

This subordinating conjunctions worksheet helps students in three ways. First, the word box forces them to weigh meaning instead of guessing — only one conjunction makes each sentence true, so they have to think about cause, contrast, condition, and time. Second, the sentence-combining section moves them from recognizing a conjunction to actually using one, which is where sentence writing usually breaks down. Third, writing their own sentence transfers the skill into their own voice, so the learning shows up later in paragraphs and stories rather than staying on the worksheet.

Try a few extra activities alongside the page. Write conjunctions on craft sticks, draw one at random, and have students build a sentence out loud. Give partners two unrelated sentence strips and challenge them to connect the strips with a conjunction that actually makes sense. Hunt for conjunctions in a chapter book and talk about what each one signals. Or play “finish my sentence” — you say “We stayed inside although…” and students supply an ending that fits the contrast.

Related Resources

• Conjunctions Worksheet
• Using Conjunctions Worksheet
• Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences Worksheet
• Subject and Predicate Song (Have Fun Teaching)