Subordinating conjunctions: European hamster
The Grammar Bit!
Read the three sentences opposite. They all begin with a subordinating conjunction (underlined).
A subordinating conjunction is a special type of “gluey” word that can be used at the start or in the middle of a sentence to connect a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main clause. Unlike the main clause, notice how the subordinate clause (bold) cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
With your talk partner, take turns saying each sentence with the main clause at the beginning and the subordinate clause at the end. (You may need to change the wording slightly.)
Scintillating Sentences
- Because his cheeks were stuffed full of candle wax, the hapless hamster’s head was stuck inside the glass jar.
- While the caretaker’s back was turned, the cheeky hamster sneaked its way through the cemetery before feasting on a bunch of fresh flowers.
- Despite the fact that his daughter had a pet hamster in her bedroom, the farmer still poisoned the wild hamsters that were eating his crops.
“Now that’s what I call a cheeky hamster!”