---
title: "Subordinate clauses"
description: "Use subordination (when, if, that, because) and co-ordination (or, and, but) to join clauses and create compound and complex sentences"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/subordinate-clauses-mt_wq-1OJ_8s5
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/subordinate-clauses-mt_wq-1OJ_8s5.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Subordinate clauses

Use subordination (when, if, that, because) and co-ordination (or, and, but) to join clauses and create compound and complex sentences

Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 6 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/subordinate-clauses-mt_wq-1OJ_8s5

## Ready when they can

- Write 'I stayed inside because it was raining' using a subordinating conjunction
- Use 'but' and 'or' to join ideas: 'I wanted to play but it was raining'
- Use 'when' and 'if' clauses in writing: 'If it stops raining, we can go outside'

## Lesson: Joining ideas with because, but, when, and if

You already know how to join two ideas with 'and.' There are other special words that join ideas too, and each one does its own job. Because, if, when, but, and or all connect two ideas into one sentence.

*(drawing: The word 'because' sits between two ideas and tells you why the first one happened.)*

**Example.** Zara wanted to go to the park, but it started raining. She wrote: 'I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.' The word 'but' shows that her plan and what happened do not match.

**Example.** If it stops raining, we can go outside. When the bell rings, we line up. 'If' talks about something that might happen. 'When' talks about something that happens at a certain time.

**Tip.** After you write a short sentence, ask yourself why, when, or what if. If you can answer, join the two ideas with because, when, or if instead of writing two separate sentences.

One more joining word is so. Use it when the first idea makes the second one happen. It rained, so we stayed in. The rain came first, and staying in is what it made happen.

**Recap.** Because, if, when, but, or, and so each join two ideas in their own special way.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Listening and responding](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/listening-and-responding-mt_mB7DVai-Uf)
- [Four Types of Sentences](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/four-types-of-sentences-mt_u1-UfD0rTH)
- [Joining Words with 'And'](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/joining-words-with-and-mt_YXVQaufkKO)

## Opens up

- [Commas After Introductory Elements](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/commas-after-introductory-elements-mt_0wUwxyBs5y)
- [Fixing Fragments & Run-Ons](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fixing-fragments-and-run-ons-mt_7oZ2YenzhX)
- [Grammar Terms: Clauses and Conjunctions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/grammar-terms-clauses-and-conjunctions-mt_B8JOz79O6t)
- [Commas Before Joining Words](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/commas-before-joining-words-mt_j2idD_jq73)
- [The subjunctive mood](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/the-subjunctive-mood-mt_k7VtbWdfDO)
- [Conjunctions, Prepositions and Interjections](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/conjunctions-prepositions-and-interjections-mt_LN_g2b3d34)
- [Correlative Conjunctions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/correlative-conjunctions-mt_S7CnyZCnxg)
- [Expressing Time, Place and Cause](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/expressing-time-place-and-cause-mt_uorNrPTh6U)
- [Punctuating Clauses](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/punctuating-clauses-mt_xYjD_kA70s)
- [Relative Clauses](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/relative-clauses-mt_YQ64pzcLDl)
- [Varying Sentence Structure](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/varying-sentence-structure-mt_ZO2iP89cld)