Combine the Sentences: Although, Because, Unless and Since

Seven pairs of short sentences to combine with the conjunction that keeps the meaning: although, because, unless or since.

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Join them. I wore a jacket. It was cold outside.

This pass0 correct · 0 cued · 0 incorrect · 0/7
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How to run it

Read the two short sentences aloud, then each combined option. Ask the student whether the combined sentence still means what the two short ones meant. After choosing, have them explain what the conjunction adds: because gives a reason, although shows a surprise, unless gives a condition, since can mean from that time. Then ask for an original sentence with the same conjunction about their own life.

Cueing ladder

Start at the top. Add support one step at a time.

  1. Step 1IndependentPresent the item and wait 5 seconds of quiet before helping.Log as correct
  2. Step 2Read aloudRead each option aloud so the student can hear which one sounds right and keeps the meaning.Log as cued
  3. Step 3Point to itPoint to the part that changes, such as the joining word or the word order, and ask what it does.Log as cued
  4. Step 4ModelSay the correct sentence and explain the choice, then the student says it back and makes one of their own.Log as cued

Adjust it

Easier

Offer two options instead of three, and read every option aloud first.

Harder

Cover the options and ask the student to write the sentence before checking.

Matching IEP goal

Given sentence-level tasks, Student will combine two sentences with a subordinating conjunction that keeps the meaning in 8 of 10 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, given no more than an indirect cue.

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About this activity

Seven pairs of short sentences for the student to join into one complex sentence using although, because, unless or since. Each option is grammatical, so the only way to choose is by meaning: I wore a jacket because it was cold outside makes sense, while I wore a jacket although it was cold outside does not. That makes the board about the logic each conjunction carries, which is exactly what secondary writing asks of students when they move beyond and and but.

What to listen for

Although and unless are the conjunctions most often misunderstood. A student who picks because for the tryout sentence may not yet hear the contrast. Listen to their own sentences: do they use the conjunction correctly, or default to because for everything?

Carrying it home

When your teen tells you about their day, model a combined sentence back: you were tired although you went to bed early. Ask them to explain a choice they made using because or unless. Short real conversations carry over better than written drills.

What's in this activity

  • Join them. I wore a jacket. It was cold outside.
    • I wore a jacket because it was cold outside.
    • I wore a jacket although it was cold outside.
    • I wore a jacket unless it was cold outside.
  • Join them. We can't go to the game. We finish our project first.
    • We can't go to the game because we finish our project first.
    • We can't go to the game unless we finish our project first.
    • We can't go to the game since we finish our project first.
  • Join them. She has been happier. She joined the band.
    • She has been happier unless she joined the band.
    • She has been happier although she joined the band.
    • She has been happier since she joined the band.
  • Join them. He made the team. He missed the first tryout.
    • He made the team although he missed the first tryout.
    • He made the team because he missed the first tryout.
    • He made the team unless he missed the first tryout.
  • Join them. You will miss the bus. You leave now.
    • You will miss the bus because you leave now.
    • You will miss the bus unless you leave now.
    • You will miss the bus although you leave now.
  • Join them. I have saved money every week. I got my first job.
    • I have saved money every week unless I got my first job.
    • I have saved money every week although I got my first job.
    • I have saved money every week since I got my first job.
  • Join them. The game was canceled. It was raining hard.
    • The game was canceled because it was raining hard.
    • The game was canceled although it was raining hard.
    • The game was canceled unless it was raining hard.

Questions

Who is this for?
Students in grades 6 through 10 working on complex sentences, subordinating conjunctions and sentence combining for writing.
Why is the joined part always at the end?
Putting the main clause first keeps every sentence correct without extra punctuation, so the student can focus on meaning. Starting with the conjunction is a good next step.
Is it free?
Yes. It plays free in the browser with no login. An account adds session data, goal scoring and assignment to a student.

Use this board with your caseload

With a free account, every correct, cued and incorrect mark is saved to the student and scored against their IEP goal, with the data written up for you. Assign it as home practice through the parent portal.

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