ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7English and Language UsageMedium
A nursing student is reviewing a patient's electronic health record and encounters the following sentence: 'The patient expressed concern over the possibility of adverse side effects, which was understandable given their previous allergic reactions.' Which of the following words is a subordinating conjunction in this sentence?
- Atheir
- Bover
- Cwhich
- Dgiven
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. which
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and connects it to an independent clause. In this sentence, 'which' introduces the dependent clause 'which was understandable given their previous allergic reactions,' making it the subordinating conjunction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Their' is a possessive pronoun, not a subordinating conjunction.
- B. 'Over' is a preposition, not a subordinating conjunction.
- D. 'Given' is a preposition here, introducing a phrase, not a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause.
Subordinating Conjunction
A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent clause, showing a relationship between the two. Common examples include 'because,' 'although,' 'while,' 'if,' 'when,' 'as,' 'until,' and 'which' (in relative clauses).
- Introduces a dependent clause.
- Establishes a relationship (e.g., cause/effect, time, condition) between clauses.
- Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Memory trick: Subordinate conjunctions are like tiny bridges connecting different parts of a sentence.