TOEFL Writing Part 1: Beginning with Conjunction (Intermediate)
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses. In English, placing two independent clauses side by side without an appropriate connector results in an ungrammatical sentence. Consider the following examples:
I like cats, but he likes dogs.
*I like cats, he likes dogs.
The second sentence is ungrammatical because it incorrectly joins two independent clauses using only a comma. A comma by itself cannot connect independent clauses. This type of error is known as a comma splice, which is a common mistake in English writing. In contrast, the first sentence is grammatical because the coordinating conjunction “but” is used to properly link the two independent clauses.
Two Types of Conjunctions
Conjunctions can be broadly divided into two categories based on how they connect clauses.
- Coordinating conjunctions: These conjunctions connect two independent clauses of equal grammatical status. They are commonly remembered using the acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
- Subordinating conjunctions: These conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. A clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. For TOEFL purposes, most conjunctions other than FANBOYS fall into this category.
Example Sentences with Subordinating Conjunction
Let’s look at some examples using the subordinating conjunction while.
I like dogs, while he likes cats.
While I like dogs, he likes cats.
Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the structure differs depending on the position of the conjunction.
Case 1: Subordinating conjunction in the middle of the sentence
I like dogs, while he likes cats.
In this sentence, “I like dogs” is an independent clause, and “while he likes cats” is a dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction while. The two clauses are connected within a single sentence, and the comma separates the independent clause from the dependent clause.
Case 2: Subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the sentence
While I like dogs, he likes cats.
Here, the subordinating conjunction appears at the sentence head. When this happens, the sentence must follow this structure:
Dependent clause + comma + independent clause
In this example, “while I like dogs” is the dependent clause, and “he likes cats” is the independent clause. The comma is required to clearly separate the two clauses.
Sentence-Initial Subordinating Conjunctions
As we have seen above, subordinating conjunctions can appear at the beginning of a sentence. When this structure is used, the word order that follows is fixed.
Structure of Subordinating Conjunction-opening Sentences
Dependent clause + comma + independent clause
Here, a dependent clause refers to a clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction such as although, while, because, or if.
An independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand on its own.
<Example>
Although I feel bad today, I have to go to school to take an important exam.
Understanding this structure is especially important for TOEFL Writing Section Part 1, where you must determine the correct word order from a list of words. When a sentence clearly begins with a subordinating conjunction, you can immediately conclude that:
- the conjunction must be followed by a dependent clause, and
- a comma must separate it from the independent clause that follows.
This rule is consistent and exception-free, which makes it a reliable anchor when solving sentence-construction questions.
Steps to Tackle New TOEFL Writing Part 1 (Conjunction-beginning)
When you notice that a prompt begins with a subordinating conjunction, you can follow a fixed set of steps to determine the correct word order efficiently.
- Identify the subordinating conjunction:
First, confirm which word in the list functions as a subordinating conjunction and can appear at the beginning of the sentence. - Find the subject:
Next, locate the noun or noun phrase that can function as the subject of the dependent clause. - Identify the verb:
Determine which word or phrase serves as the verb, paying attention to voice (active or passive) and tense. - Arrange the remaining words meaningfully:
Use the remaining words in the word bank to complete the clause in a way that is both grammatical and semantically natural. - Combine everything into a full sentence:
Remember that when a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, the structure is fixed: dependent clause + comma + independent clause.
Because this structure is predictable, you can solve these questions logically rather than relying on intuition. Now, let’s practice applying these steps to master this question pattern.
Practice Questions
Question 1
Explanation
The subordinating conjunction “until” introduces a temporal condition and must be followed by a clause describing a state or event that continues up to a certain point.
Because the sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, what follows must be a dependent clause. So, the first step is to identify the subject of that clause.
Among the given options, “concerns” is the only noun that can function as a subject. In addition, nouns can be modified by adjectives. Here, “all” and “outstanding” are adjectives that naturally modify “concerns,” forming the noun phrase “all outstanding concerns.”
Next, we identify the verb. The word list contains only one verb form: “were resolved,” which is a passive construction. This fits naturally with the subject “concerns,” since concerns are resolved by someone, not acting on their own.
Putting these parts together, we get a grammatically complete dependent clause. The independent clause then follows, separated by a comma, as required for sentence-initial subordinating conjunctions.
Until all outstanding concerns were resolved, she postponed the decision.
Question 2
Explanation
Here, “since” functions as a subordinating conjunction expressing reason, not time. In this usage, since is essentially interchangeable with because, as both introduce a causal relationship. When a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, it must follow the fixed structure:
dependent clause + comma + independent clause
Among the given words, “assumptions” is the only noun that can naturally function as the subject. Remember that nouns can be modified by adjectives. In the word bank, the following adjectives are available:
- underlying
- key
- uncertain
At this stage, we can’t yet determine which adjectives attach to the noun, so we move on to identifying the verb.
There is only one verb available: remained. “Remain” is a linking verb, which must be followed by either an adjective or a noun complement. Since no noun remains available to follow the verb, the complement must be an adjective. Among the options, “uncertain” fits naturally.
Assumptions remained uncertain
Now we place the remaining adjectives before the noun assumptions. The correct order is “key underlying assumptions.” This order follows standard adjective sequencing in English: an evaluative adjective (key) precedes a descriptive adjective (underlying).
Putting all components together, we arrive at the only grammatical and natural sentence:
Since key underlying assumptions remained uncertain, the forecast remained unchanged.
Question 3
Explanation
The subordinating conjunction “while” introduces a clause expressing simultaneity:
one situation continues at the same time as another situation occurs.
As usual, the first step is to identify the subject. Among the options, “review” is the only noun, so it must function as the subject.
Next, we look for the verb. The word bank contains only one verb: “was.” A very common structure here is: was still + adjective / present participle.
This gives us the partial frame.
While _____ review was still _____, the report remained confidential.
Now we need to decide where “legal” and “ongoing” belong.
If we place them as “While ongoing review was still legal, …,” this doesn’t express simultaneity. It suggests legality as a state, not an action in progress, so it fails to match the function of “while.”
The only natural and grammatical arrangement is
While legal review was still ongoing, the report remained confidential.
While legal review was still ongoing, the report remained confidential.
