Making Better Sentences with Joining Words

Hi there! Today we are going to be sentence builders. Sometimes, we write short sentences like "The cat sat." or "I am happy." These are great, but we can make our writing much more interesting by adding extra details!

In this chapter, we will learn how to use four special joining words: when, if, that, and because. These words help us glue a main idea to a special "extra" part of the sentence. This is called subordination.

What is Subordination?

Imagine a train. A sentence usually has a main engine (the most important part). Subordination is like adding a carriage to that engine using a special hook. The carriage adds more information, but it needs the engine to move!

The "hooks" we use to join these parts together are called subordinating conjunctions. Don't worry if that's a big word—just think of them as sentence glue.

Note: To learn about joining words like "and" or "but," check out the chapter on Co-ordination.

The Four Magic Joining Words

1. Using 'Because' (The Reason Word)

We use because when we want to explain why something is happening. It gives a reason.

  • I am wearing my coat because it is cold.
  • The boy cried because he dropped his ice cream.

Quick Tip: A famous way to remember how to spell because is: Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants!

2. Using 'When' (The Time Word)

We use when to show the time that something happens.

  • I will go to bed when the sun goes down.
  • Wash your hands when you come inside.

3. Using 'If' (The "Maybe" Word)

We use if when one thing depends on something else. It is used for things that might happen.

  • We can play outside if it stops raining.
  • You can have a sticker if you work hard.

4. Using 'That' (The Explaining Word)

We use that to add more information to a thought, a feeling, or a statement.

  • I hope that we have pizza for lunch.
  • I know that you can do it!

Key Takeaway: These four words (when, if, that, because) help us add "extra" information to our main idea to make a longer, better sentence.

How to Spot a Subordinating Sentence

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! You can spot these sentences by looking for two things:

  1. The Main Part: This part makes sense all by itself. (Example: "I ran fast...")
  2. The Joining Word: One of our four magic words. (Example: "...because...")
  3. The Extra Part: This part gives more detail but feels "unfinished" if you say it alone. (Example: "...I was late.")

Common Mistake to Avoid: Make sure your sentence isn't just the "extra" part.
Incorrect: Because I was hungry. (This is missing the main part!)
Correct: I ate an apple because I was hungry.

Did You Know?

You can sometimes put the joining word at the very beginning of the sentence!
Example: When it is sunny, I go to the park.
It still does the same job of joining the two parts of the story together.

Quick Review Quiz

Which word would you use to finish these sentences?

  • I will help you ______ you are stuck. (if / that)
  • The dog barked ______ he saw a cat. (when / if)
  • I believe ______ unicorns are real! (that / because)
  • She stayed inside ______ she felt poorly. (because / when)

Summary Checklist

- Use because for reasons.
- Use when for timing.
- Use if for things that might happen.
- Use that to explain thoughts or facts.
- Always remember your Capital Letter at the start and your Full Stop at the end!