Because, When and If for Kids: Joining Ideas in Sentences (Grade 3 English)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are learning three joining words: because, when and if. They help us link two ideas and explain how the ideas are connected. They are called subordinating conjunctions.

Because tells a reason. It answers the question why. I wore my coat because it was cold. Why did I wear my coat? Because it was cold.

When tells a time. It answers the question when does it happen. We cheered when our team scored. When did we cheer? At the moment the team scored.

If tells a condition. Something will only happen if something else happens first. If it rains, the picnic will move inside. The picnic moves only if it rains.

The part that starts with the joining word cannot stand alone. Because it was cold is not a full sentence. It needs the main idea, I wore my coat, to make sense.

The joining word can go first or in the middle. When it comes first, put a comma after that part. When the bell rang, we lined up. We lined up when the bell rang.

Now it's your turn. Choose the best word. I will feed the dog blank I get home. Should it be because, when or if? Pause and try. The best word is when. It tells the time.

Great job! Because gives a reason, when gives a time, and if gives a condition. Add a comma when the joining part comes first. Practice because, when and if in the English Lab at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!