Subordination & Coordination

To impress Deepa, his date, Ryan labored over the chicken stir fry; _________, she took offense that he was serving meat after she had explained her vegetarianism.

• furthermore

• moreover

• however

• additionally

Answer explanation

however indicates that a contrast exists within the sentence; the other choices add information

________ Thomas scores a 100 on the final exam, he cannot pass Algebra 101, a class he is taking for the third time.

• Because

• Since

• As a result,

• Unless

Answer explanation

"Unless" indicates that something must happen for Thomas to pass the class.

The Rodriguez family breathed a sigh of relief when the giant oak withstood the hurricane winds; _______, they gave thanks that the crews restored electricity in 12 short hours.

• As a result

• moreover

• however

• on the other hand

Answer explanation

These clauses are coordinated with a semicolon. We need a transition that adds information. "As a result" would work, but it is capitalized. The only viable other option is "moreover"

Mackenzie's clarinet squealed like a startled puppy, ________ she hadn't practiced in weeks

• because

• for

• since

• unless

Answer explanation

These clauses are coordinated with a coordinating conjunction because they are both main or independent clauses. The only coordinating conjunction on the list is "for"

_________ Grandma tasted the spaghetti sauce, she declared that it needed more basil and salt.

• Unless

• Although

• Whereas

• After

Answer explanation

We need an appropriate subordination conjunction here because the first clause is subordinate or dependent. After indicates that Grandma is doing one action before the other. The other options just don't make sense.

Which option is coordinated or subordinated correctly?

• A. We decided to skip breakfast, for a spider crawled out of the cereal box.

• B. We decided to skip breakfast, and a spider crawled out of the cereal box.

• C. We decided to skip breakfast, so a spider crawled out of the cereal box.

Answer explanation

Each of these sentences uses a coordinating conjunction. Answer 'A' has to be correct because it indicates that the family skipped breakfast because of the spider. (You could also use "because" and remove the comma if you wanted to show that breakfast is more important than the spider crawling out of the cereal box!)

Which option is coordinated or subordinated correctly?

• Madison and I decided to eat ice cream for dinner so that we had burned enough calories earlier at the gym.

• Madison and I decided to eat ice cream for dinner because we had burned enough calories at the gym.

• Although Madison and I decided to eat ice cream for dinner, we had burned enough calories earlier at the gym.

Answer explanation

Option 'B' is correct because you need a subordinating conjunction that shows why they ate ice cream for dinner.

Which option is coordinated or subordinated correctly?

• Even though Hank vacuumed the rental car, he failed to remove all the hair of Bonkers, his golden retriever.

• Unless Hank vacuumed the rental car, he failed to remove all the hair of Bonkers, his golden retriever.

• Since Hank vacuumed the rental car, he failed to remove all the hair of Bonkers, his golden retriever.

Answer explanation

Option 'A' is the only subordinating conjunction that shows what Hank was unable to do despite his efforts.

Which option is coordinated or subordinated correctly?

• Andrew mowed the lawn while Celia watched soap operas on television.

• While Andrew mowed the lawn Celia watched soap operas on television.

• While Andrew mowed the lawn Celia, on the other hand, watched television.

Answer explanation

Option 'A' uses the correct subordinating conjunction and punctuation with it.

Which option is coordinated or subordinated correctly?

• Bonkers retrieves anything round, but put away those CDs if don't want teeth marks in them.

• Bonkers retrieves anything round, and put away those CDs if you don't want teeth marks in them.

• Bonkers retrieves anything round, so put away those CDs if you don't want teeth marks in them.

Answer explanation

Answer 'C' indicates why you should put away those CDs!