MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

What is the role of a subordinating conjunction in a sentence?

1. To connect two independent clauses

2. To introduce a question

3. To link a dependent clause to an independent clause

4. To introduce a noun clause

The correct answer is: To link a dependent clause to an independent clause

A subordinating conjunction plays a crucial role in sentence structure by linking a dependent clause to an independent clause. This connection helps establish a relationship between the two clauses, often indicating the manner, time, cause, or condition under which the action of the independent clause occurs. For example, in the sentence "Although it was raining, we went for a walk," "although" is the subordinating conjunction that introduces the dependent clause "Although it was raining," providing context to the main action of the independent clause "we went for a walk." The other statements describe functions that do not pertain to subordinating conjunctions. Linking two independent clauses is the role of coordinating conjunctions, while introducing a question or a noun clause pertains to entirely different grammatical functions. Understanding the specific role of subordinating conjunctions is essential for constructing complex sentences that convey detailed relationships between ideas.