Subordinating conjunctions: sunstar starfish
The Grammar Bit!
Read the three sentences opposite. They each contain a subordinating conjunction (underlined).
This is a special type of word that can be used at the start or in the middle of a sentence to connect a subordinate clause to a main clause. Unlike the main clause, notice how the subordinate clause (bold) cannot stand alone as a 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
1) Although the octopus was much heavier, the powerful sunstar starfish dragged the corpse out of the cave.
2) Because it was trapped by an army of spiny sea urchins, the starfish was spotted by an enormous king crab.
3) Despite being the most aggressive starfish in the Pacific Ocean, it was unable to fight its way through the forest of spiny sea urchins.
“It’s no good trying to disarm me!”