English Grammar Worksheet for 11-Year-Olds: Time Connectives & Relative Pronouns

Instructions

Read the notes carefully for each section and then complete the exercises that follow. Good luck!

Connectives of Time

Notes: Using Connectives

Connectives of time are words that link two parts of a sentence together to show when something happens. Here’s how to use them:

• Before: Used for an action that happens earlier than another action.
  Example: Brush your teeth before you go to bed.
• After: Used for an action that happens later than another action.
  Example: We went for ice cream after we finished our homework.
• While: Used for two actions happening at the same time.
  Example: I listened to music while I was drawing.
• When: Used when one action happens at the same time as, or just after, another.
  Example: The crowd cheered when the team scored a goal.
• As soon as: Used for an action that happens immediately after another one.
  Example: I will call you as soon as I get home.
• Until: Used to show an action continuing up to a certain point in time and then stopping.
  Example: You cannot play outside until the rain stops.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Connective

Complete each sentence using the best connective from the word bank. You will only use each word once.

before     after     while     when     as soon as     until

1. Please wash your hands __________ you eat your snack.
2. My dad read the newspaper __________ my mom was preparing dinner.
3. We will go to the park __________ the rain stops.
4. I felt much happier __________ I talked to my friend.
5. You must wait here in line __________ the librarian calls your name.
6. The cat started purring loudly __________ I started petting it.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences so that the connective of time is at the beginning. Remember to add a comma after the first part of the sentence!

Example: I will finish my drawing after I eat lunch. → After I eat lunch, I will finish my drawing.

1. The team celebrated after they won the championship.
2. He listened to the story until he fell asleep.
3. She always feels excited when she goes on a roller coaster.
4. The dog ran outside as soon as I opened the door.
5. My brother was playing video games while I was reading a book.
6. You should look both ways before you cross the street.
7. We will leave for the beach as soon as the car is packed.
8. He put on his jacket before he went out into the cold.

Sequencing Your Steps

Notes: Using First, Then, Next, Finally

When you give instructions or tell a story, you need to put the events in the correct order. Words like First, Then, Next, and Finally help your reader understand the sequence.

• First: Introduces the very first step.
• Then / Next: Introduces the following steps. You can use them interchangeably.
• Finally: Introduces the very last step.

Exercise 3: How to Plant a Seed

The steps for planting a seed are mixed up below. Rewrite them in the correct order on the lines provided, using the sequencing words First, Then, Next, and Finally to begin each sentence.

1. First, _________________________________________________________________

2. Then, _________________________________________________________________

3. Next, _________________________________________________________________

4. Finally, ________________________________________________________________

Relative Pronouns

Notes: Who, Which, Whose, and More!

Relative pronouns are words that introduce more information about a noun (a person, place, or thing) mentioned earlier in the sentence. They connect ideas together!

• who: Use for people (as the subject).
  Example: The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
• whom: Use for people (as the object - it's more formal).
  Example: The artist to whom I spoke was very talented.
• whose: Use to show possession or that something belongs to someone.
  Example: He's the boy whose bike was stolen.
• which: Use for animals and things.
  Example: The movie, which was three hours long, was very exciting.
• that: Can often be used instead of 'who' or 'which'.
  Example: I loved the cake that you made.
• where: Use for places.
  Example: That is the park where we have picnics.
• when: Use for times.
  Example: Summer is the season when we go to the beach.
• what: Use to mean "the thing that".
  Example: Show me what you have in your hand.

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the best relative pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. The person __________ won the competition gets a trophy.
2. That is the school __________ my father went as a child.
3. Can you tell me __________ is making all that noise?
4. I have a friend __________ cat can do tricks.
5. The homework, __________ was very difficult, took two hours to complete.
6. I'll never forget the day __________ we first met.
7. This is the phone __________ has the best camera.
8. The author to __________ the prize was awarded gave a speech.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Connective

1. before
2. while
3. as soon as
4. after
5. until
6. when

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

1. After they won the championship, the team celebrated.
2. Until he fell asleep, he listened to the story.
3. When she goes on a roller coaster, she always feels excited.
4. As soon as I opened the door, the dog ran outside.
5. While I was reading a book, my brother was playing video games.
6. Before you cross the street, you should look both ways.
7. As soon as the car is packed, we will leave for the beach.
8. Before he went out into the cold, he put on his jacket.

Exercise 3: How to Plant a Seed

1. First, fill a small pot with soil.
2. Then, make a small hole in the soil and drop the seed in.
3. Next, cover the seed with a little more soil.
4. Finally, put the pot in a sunny place and water it a little each day.

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks

1. who / that
2. where
3. what
4. whose
5. which
6. when
7. which / that
8. whom