Subordinators, Coordinators And Transitions – Free ESL Lesson Plan

1. LW1.1 Subordinators, Coordinators and TransitionsLesson 1/1 ESL Lesson Plan

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3. Independent and dependent clauses What is the difference between an independent and a dependent clause? I was studying. It is cold. She lives in New York. We don’t know the answer. An independent clause contains a subject and verb and it is a complete thought. se? An independent clause is a sentence.

4. Dependent clauses A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but is not a complete thought. While I was studying… …because it is cold. If she lives in New York… At the time I thought… …as it was very hot. A dependent clause is not a sentence. How can we make a dependent clause into a full sentence?

5. Independent clauses We need an independent clause to make these into complete sentences. While I was studying my mother cooked dinner. She is wearing a coat because it is cold. If she lives in New York, she must like big cities. As long as we leave now, I’ll come to the café with you. I turned on the fan because it was very hot. Dependent clause Independent clause

6. Identifying clauses Can you separate each sentence into the dependent clause and the independent clause? She brushed her teeth before she went to bed. Although the interview went well, he didn’t get the job. He is tired because he didn’t sleep much last night. Bring an umbrella in case it rains. They didn’t say anything until they arrived home.

7. Subordinators Dependent clauses begin with subordinators. IfI won the lottery, I would buy a new house. A subordinator is a word or phrase such as: before, because, although, if, in case, while… I would buy a new house if I won the lottery. If the subordinator is at the beginning of the sentence, there is always a comma after the dependent clause. If the subordinator is in the middle of the sentence, no comma is needed.

8. Subordinator structure Find the subordinator and add a comma to the sentence, if necessary. Don’t forget to call me when you arrive. Although it will be hot tomorrow it’s going to rain. I won’t forgive him unless he apologizes. Although he didn’t study he received the highest score in the class. Don’t stop until you’re finished. Which sentences need a comma?

9. Coordinators Coordinators are used to connect elements in a sentence. They usually connect two independent clauses. I love to eat, and he does too. We can remember the mnemonic FANBOYS. For And Nor But Or Yet So The coordinators in English are… I love to eat, but I hate to cook.

10. Coordinator structure When a coordinator connects two independent clauses, place a comma before the coordinator. I love to eat, but I hate to cook. Complete sentence Complete sentence Coordinator When a coordinator connects two phrases or words, do not use a comma. I went to the supermarket and bought milk.

11. And, or and but The three most common coordinators are and, or and but. She cooked dinner, and she washed the dishes. She cooked dinner and washed the dishes. And is used to show addition or combination.

12. But The coordinator butexpresses contrast. She applied, but she wasn’t accepted into the university. Complete these sentences in your own words. • She exercises every day, but _________. • He studied hard, but _________. • _________, but her brother doesn’t.

13. Yet Yetis used to show an unexpected result. He has been working on the project all week, yethe hasn’t finished. I ate two hours ago, yet I still feel hungry. She likes that author, yet she didn’t enjoy his recent book. He has been working on the project all week, buthe hasn’t finished. Yet and butcan often be used interchangeably.

14. Or The coordinator orexpresses choice. Would you like coffee or tea? Did you see Mehmet or Aysha? Would you like either coffee or tea? I like neitherfootball nor basketball. (I don’t like football, and I don’t like basketball.) The coordinator or is often used with the word either. The coordinator nor is often used with the word neither.

15. So Sois used to show the result of an action. He ate fast food every day, He is very talented, It’s raining outside, He didn’t listen to his parents, She didn’t like her job, soshe quit. No-one understood the question, so I repeated it. Match the beginning of the sentence with the end. …so let’s stay in. …so he gained weight. …so he was punished. …so he will find a job easily.

16. For For is used to show reason. This is very formal. She quit her job, for she hated her boss. He called the office, for he knew he would be late to the meeting. Here, for means because, or for the following reason. I did it for you. There’s a phone call for you. He fought for his life. For is more often used as a preposition.

17. Practice with coordinators Combine the sentences using a coordinator (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) She was not tall. She was not thin. She might be at the mall. She might be at the supermarket. I like Thai food. I like Mexican food. She lost her glasses. She couldn’t see. Alex doesn’t like sugar. It makes him feel unwell. Zoe studied hard. She failed the exam.

18. What about these? Combine the sentences using a coordinator (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) Should I get the blue dress? Should I get the red dress? He turned off the light. He went to bed. She invested a lot of money in the business. The business failed. She bought a new plant. Her old plant was dead. I slept seven hours last night. I feel tired this morning. I don’t like to eat garlic. I don’t like to eat onions.

19. Transitions Transitions, unlike coordinators and subordinators, connect two separate sentences. He told the truth. However, nobody believed him. She is going to arrive late. Therefore, we’ll cancel the meeting. Vegetables are healthy. For example, broccoli contains calcium. He’s unpleasant. Moreover, he actually wants to be rude. Transitions include words and phrases such as: however, moreover, for example, therefore…

20. Practice with transitions Can you complete each sentence with the correct transitionword? I locked my keys inside the car. ______, I was late for work. We rushed to get to the airport on time. ______, the flight was delayed. He cooked a delicious dinner. ______, his wife prepared chocolate cake for dessert. however consequently in addition

21. Practice with transitions however for example in addition therefore He received a raise at work. _____, he’s still not happy. She lied to her parents. _____, she was punished. He is very successful. _____, he was promoted last year. She’s a great actor and singer. _____, she can dance. They didn’t listen. _____, they couldn’t do their homework. You need to wear a jacket. _____, please wear a tie. I’ll be late. _____, please don’t order before I arrive.