AAAWWUBBIS!!!
What does it mean??????
After
Although
As
When
While
Until
Because
Before
If
Recognize these yet????
Here’s a hint…
Since
Words that CONNECT
or JOIN two unequal
parts (words, phrases,
clauses)
Why do we need them??
• They help us write sentences that
are not short, choppy, and boring.
• They help us form COMPLEX
sentences by giving us a way to
begin SUBORDINATE CLAUSES.
• AAAWWUBBIS doesn’t cover all of
the subordinate conjunctions, but it
covers the most common ones!
Subordinate Clauses
• Begin with a subordinate
conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS!) or a
relative pronoun
• Contain both a subject AND a verb
• Do NOT make complete sentences
by themselves
Examples
• After Andy sneezed all over the candy bar
– Introductory word?
– Subject?
– Verb?
– Complete sentence?
• Until Mom has her first cup of coffee
– Introductory word?
– Subject?
– Verb?
– Complete sentence?
• While Sam slept in front of the tv
– Introductory word?
– Subject?
– Verb?
– Complete sentence?
Subordinate clause + Main clause
• After Andy sneezed all over the candy
bar
– So what?
– What happened?
• Until Mom has her first cup of coffee
– So what?
– What is she like?
• While Sam slept in front of the tv
– What went on around him?
– Who cares?
Complex sentence
• When you have a subordinate clause and a main clause like the
ones you just created, you have a COMPLEX SENTENCE.
• Now, in groups of four, practice writing complex sentences.
– You have five minutes to write four complex sentences following the
subordinate clause + main clause structure.
– You only need one pen and one piece of paper.
– You will pass that pen and paper to the person writing at the time.
– Person A will write the first subordinate clause and pass the paper to
person B, who will add the main clause to complete the sentence.
– For sentence 2, person C will write the subordinate clause and person
D will add the main clause.
– For sentences 3 and 4, you will switch. Person B will write the
subordinate clause and person A will add the main clause; then person
D will write the subordinate clause and person C will write the main
clause.
Variations…
• You can change up the pattern to make
your sentences a little less predictable.
• Try putting the main clause at the
beginning instead of the end.
• For example, instead of
– Because she went to a movie instead of
studying last night, Kendra did poorly on her
math test today.
– Try this:
– Kendra did poorly on her math test today
because she went to a movie instead of
studying last night.
A note about
punctuation…
• When you put the subordinate clause at
the beginning of the sentence, you use a
comma to separate the two clauses.
– Because she went to a movie instead of
studying last night, Kendra did poorly on her
math test today.
• When you put the subordinate clause at
the end of the sentence, no comma is
needed.
– Kendra did poorly on her math test today
because she went to a movie instead of
studying last night.
Your turn!
• In your group of four, you have a bunch of strips with
clauses on them. Some are subordinate clauses and
some are main clauses. You should have the same
number of each.
• Work with your group to develop complex sentences out
of the strips.
• Be creative, but each sentence MUST have a
subordinate clause and a main clause.
• Some sentences should have the subordinate clause at
the beginning and some should have it at the end.
• Be careful to use a comma strip when you have the
subordinate clause at the beginning.
• When you have used all of your strips and are sure your
sentences are put together correctly, raise your hand for
your teacher to come check them.
• If you have questions as you go, be sure to ask.
• You have 15 minutes.
