The PSAT practices have looked at subordinating conjunctions and coordinating conjunctions. The differences between them is important. Review the lists of both types of conjunctions in previous preps before you begin prep 10.

PSAT prep 10

As you have seen, conjunctions are important because they connect groups of words (as well as words and phrases).  In connecting, conjunctions also show the importance of the thoughts being expressed.  When one thought (group of words, clause) is more important than another, the less important one is subordinated.  When both thoughts are of equal importance, the thoughts are coordinated.  The conjunctions that signal the order of importance are called by what they do, subordinating conjunctions and coordinating conjunctions.  A way to remember the difference is to think of their Latin roots: ordinate means order; sub means under; co means equal.

Identify the order of importance of the thoughts in the following sentences.  Look to the conjunctions to tell you the order: less important, equally important.

1. Nasib loves to read, and she love loves to write.
2. Because Judy cannot stop talking, she has trouble participating in class activities.
3. Heyam works well in groups in school, but she has difficulties studying by herself at home.
4. If Governor Whitmer ends the school year tomorrow, students at Lowrey will be very disappointed.
5. Abrar enjoys reading adventure novels, while Noor prefers to read mystery short stories.

Now, summarize in your own words the lesson on the difference between subordinating and coordinating conjunctions and come up with at least three sentences with subordinating conjunctions and three sentences with coordinating conjunctions demonstrating your understanding of them.