Lesson video

Hi, I'm Mr. Buckingham, and I'm so glad you've joined me today to learn about a new type of subordinate clause.

Now, we know that good writers use a wide range of sentence types in their writing, and this lesson is our first step to be able to add another type to our writer's toolkit.

So let's make a start.

Today's lesson is called "A New Subordinate Clause: "The Non-Finite I-N-G Clause," and it comes from our unit called Five Sentence Types.

By the end of today's lesson, we'll be able to know that our non-finite I-N-G clause is a third type of subordinate clause.

Now, having different types of subordinate clause available to us is gonna enable us to add much more variety and interest to our writing to keep our reader engaged and to give them some extra detail and description.

So let's get going.

Here are our keywords for today's lesson.

My turn, your turn.

Subordinate clause, main clause, non-finite clause and progressive tense.

There's some tricky words there.

Let's look at them in more detail.

A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense.

A main clause is a group of words that contains a verb and does make complete sense.

A non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause, and it sometimes starts with a verb in the progressive tenses.

And that's the type of non-finite clause we're going to look at today.

And the progressive tense is a tense that denotes or shows ongoing action, and we'll often link that to I-N-G words, which is what we're going to do today.

Here's our lesson outline.

We're going to start by looking at the non-finite I-N-G clause, and then we're gonna go on to compare it to other subordinate clauses which we may know.

Now, we know that a clause is a group of words that contains a verb.

A main clause contains a verb and makes complete sense.

And a subordinate clause contains a verb and does not make complete sense.

But really remember they both contain a verb.

If a group of words doesn't contain a verb, it's not a clause, it's a phrase.

Let's look at some main clauses.

The door swung open.

Where have you been? How small they are.

A main clause could be a sentence on its own.

Each of these could be its own sentence, and we know that's the superpower a main clause has.

It could make its own sentence.

Let's look at some subordinate clauses now.

Which had no roof.

When it was over.

Before I saw him.

Notice how each of these still has a verb shown in purple.

Had, was, saw are all verbs, so they're clauses and not phrases.

But a subordinate clause couldn't be a sentence on its own.

It doesn't make complete sense as a sentence on its own.

That's why our character Subordinate is much less powerful than Main, because a subordinate clause can't make a full sentence on its own.

Notice though how both main and subordinate clauses contain a verb.

That's what makes them a clause and not a phrase.

So which of the following are subordinate clauses? We're looking for a group of words that contains a verb but does not make complete sense on its own.

Pause the video and have a look.

Okay, let's take a look.

For A, after the show does not contain a verb, so it cannot be a subordinate clause or any type of clause.

After the show was over is a subordinate clause.

It contains that verb was, but it doesn't make a complete sentence on its own.

The same is true for C, because I had no time contains that verb had, but it couldn't be a complete sentence so it's not a main clause.

It must be a subordinate clause.

And because of this contains no verb so it is not a subordinate clause.

So all clauses, main or subordinate, contain a verb.

And if there's no verb, like we've said, it's a phrase.

So after the show and because of this are not clauses, they are phrases.

Really well done if you spotted that.

Now, you've probably heard people talking about the past tense and the present tense.

The tense of a sentence is what tells us when the action either happens or happened or will happen maybe in the future.

And it's the verbs in a sentence that tell us the tense of that sentence.

So let's have a look.

This sentence says, "The poem rhymed perfectly." I've highlighted that verb rhymed.

Now I can tell this is the past tense.

We're saying maybe we read a poem before and we noticed that it rhymed in the past.

The soldier marches past each day.

Marches is in the present tense.

It's something which he keeps doing day after day.

And I will have butterflies in my stomach.

It's something that's happening in the future.

Maybe I'm worried about something which is yet to come.

Now, a progressive tense can tell us that action is ongoing.

It happens over a period of time.

And verbs in the progressive tense have an I-N-G suffix, a group of letters at the end of the verb, which is I-N-G.

So here are some examples.

We are playing.

Izzy and Jacob were hoping.

They were working.

She will be listening.

Sam is talking.

Notice how each of those verbs has an I-N-G suffix, an I-N-G ending.

These are all verbs in the progressive tense.

So which of these sentences use a progressive tense? Pause the video and try and spot those I-N-G suffixes, which are the clue that we've used a progressive tense.

Have a go.

Okay, let's take a look.

You were interrupting me contains that I-N-G word, interrupting.

So yes, it's a progressive tense.

In B, we don't see any I-N-G suffix, so no progressive tense.

In C, we've got were suggesting.

Those are my, there's my I-N-G suffix there to show that progressive tenses.

And in D, we have will be attending, so we have another progressive tense.

Really good work.

Now let's introduce our new type of subordinate clause.

A non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause that can start with a verb in this progressive tense.

Now, there are several types of non-finite clause, but we're focusing in on just one that starts with these verbs in the progressive tense with an I-N-G suffix.

Let me show you what I mean.

Stepping into the room.

Wondering what was happening.

Hoping it was a mistake.

And skipping down the street.

These are all non-finite clauses.

We can tell they're subordinate clauses because they don't make complete sense.

And we can tell they're non-finite I-N-G clauses because they start with that progressive tense verb with the I-N-G suffix.

So we know a non-finite clause can start, doesn't always, but in this case starts with that progressive tense verb with an I-N-G suffix.

There they are.

Stepping, wondering, hoping and skipping.

We know that non-finite clause does not make complete sense in its own.

None of these could be a sentence on their own.

So they're subordinate clauses.

So we have another type of subordinate clause here.

It doesn't make complete sense on its own.

And in this case, it started with an I-N-G word, a progressive tense verb.

So true or false, the following group of words is a non-finite clause.

Playing football is now banned.

Now, this is really tricky.

So pause the video and have a think.

Is that a non-finite clause? Really good try.

That is false.

Now have a look at these two explanations and decide which one explains why this cannot be a non-finite clause.

Pause the video and have a go.

Well done.

It's A, this can't be a non-finite clause because it's a main clause and it makes complete sense on its own.

We can see it's formed a complete sentence.

And we know a non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause, so it couldn't make a complete sentence on its own.

Even though this sentence starts with an I-N-G word, it is not a non-finite clause because it's a main clause.

Now we know that any subordinate clause must be joined to a main clause to make complete sense.

And we can see here our diagrams showing how an I-N-G non-finite clause could be placed in front of a main clause to make complete sense.

And when we do that, it makes a complex sentence.

We've put a non-finite clause in front of a main clause to make a complex sentence.

For example, stepping into the room, I looked around in shock.

There's our non-finite clause, stepping into the room.

And here's our main clause, I looked around in shock.

We have a subordinate clause, our non-finite I-N-G clause followed by our main clause.

Here's another example.

Skipping down the street, Izzy waved at her friend Aisha.

We have our non-finite clause, skipping down the street, followed by our main clause, Izzy waved at her friend Aisha.

Now, the action in a non-finite clause and the action in a main clause must be able to be done simultaneously.

And I'm sure you know that means at the same time.

So for instance, let's look at this sentence again.

Skipping down the street, Izzy waved at her friend Aisha.

Here's Izzy, she's the one doing the action in that non-finite I-N-G clause.

And she's doing two things in this sentence.

She's skipping and she's waving.

Can she do those things at the same time? Yes, she can.

She could do both of those simultaneously.

So this works as a complex sentence using a non-finite I-N-G clause.

Let's look at another example.

Skipping down the street, Alex strolled along the pavement.

Here's Alex, and we've said in this sentence he's doing two things, skipping and strolling.

Now, you can't do those two things simultaneously.

They're different ways of moving.

You can't do them both at the same time.

So this one does not work as a sentence with a non-finite clause in front of our main clause.

They must be able to be done simultaneously.

So which of these non-finite clauses works correctly to show two actions happening simultaneously when it's paired up with the main clause I've given? Pause the video and see if you can decide which ones work.

Well done.

We can see A would work.

I can wipe tears and chop onions at the same time.

It might be a bit tricky, but I could certainly do it.

For B, these two things can't be done at the same time.

I can't shake my fist at the same time as I'm clapping.

And in G, this could definitely work.

We can certainly giggle at the same time as we're stepping out of the restaurant.

So we're looking for two things which could happen at roughly the same time.

Really well done if you've got those two right.

Now, what's the purpose of a non-finite clause? Why do we want to use these in the first place? Well, the purpose of a non-finite clause is to add more detail to the main clause, to say what's happening at the same time, what's happening simultaneously.

So here's a main clause.

She signed her signature on the form.

That tells us the main action that's happening.

We can add a non-finite clause, shaking her head in confusion.

And that gives more detail about the character's feelings at the same time.

So in this case, what's our character? What's she feeling as she signs that form? Then we can combine them to make the complex sentence.

Shaking her head in confusion, she signed her signature on the form.

So we've told our reader much more about how she's feeling about signing that form.

You could sign a form and be very happy and confident, but in this case, our character's feeling a bit unsure about what she's signing maybe.

So that non-finite clause has given us that extra detail.

Now, the non-finite clause could also be placed after the main clause.

We clapped to the rhythm, singing loudly and tunefully.

Look how I've got my I-N-G progressive tense word there after the main clause.

Singing starts that non-finite clause.

I watched the sun go down, appreciating every single moment.

Sophia answered the question, explaining each point very clearly.

Sam won the race, punching the air with joy.

So this time, we have a main clause followed by our I-N-G non-finite clause, our subordinate clause.

It still begins with that progressive tense verb with the I-N-G suffix, and we can see those all there.

And there's still a comma placed between the two clauses, and we saw a comma after the non-finite I-N-G clause previously.

Now we can see the comma is before the non-finite I-N-G clause.

Now can you match the main clauses to the non-finite clauses to create some complex sentences? See which ones work best.

Pause the video and have a go.

Let's have a look.

For A, we could say we packed our bags quickly, flinging clothes into bags.

For B, my brother woke us all up, screaming at the top of his lungs.

And for C, Mrs. Begum crossed her arms, glaring at us in disappointment.

Look at those non-finite clauses, each starting with that progressive tense I-N-G suffix word, screaming, flinging and glaring.

And look how we've got a comma at the end of the main clause before we would start the non-finite clause.

Really well done for matching those up.

Now, as we've seen, we can combine a main clause and a non-finite clause to make a complex sentence.

Here's a non-finite I-N-G clause, reading each word dramatically.

And here's a main clause, Mrs. Begum had us hooked on the story.

We can combine them like this.

Reading each word dramatically, Mrs. Begum had us hooked on the story.

I've put the non-finite clause first, but I could flip it the other way.

Mrs. Begum had us hooked on the story, reading each word dramatically.

Look how it's exactly the same, but I flipped the non-finite clause to the end of the sentence.

And we still have a comma between the non-finite clause and the main clause.

Now you have a go.

I've given you a non-finite clause and a main clause, and I want you to try and make two sentences just like I did, putting a non-finite clause first and second in the sentence.

Pause the video and have a try.

Let's have a look.

We could say, stomping loudly up the stairs, I made my way to my room.

The non-finite clause comes first in this one.

Then I could say, I made my way to my room, stomping loudly up the stairs.

I put the non-finite clause second.

Both times, I've got a comma in between the non-finite clause and the main clause.

Really good job if you made both of those.

Now let's try our first task for this lesson.

I'm going to show you a list of main clauses and non-finite I-N-G clauses.

I want you to match them up to write complex sentences, and you can choose whether you place the non-finite clause before or after the main clause.

Here are your main clauses and here are your non-finite clauses.

Pause the video and see if you can make four complex sentences by matching those up.

And remember, you can choose if the non-finite clause comes first or comes second.

Have a go.

Okay, let's take a look at some examples we could have used.

Mr. McIntyre marked our work, tutting at every mistake.

I put my non-finite clause second there.

For B, raising his arms in celebration, Andy blasted the ball into the net.

I put the non-finite clause first.

You might have had it second.

For C, clasping her hands together, Mrs. Begum led the school prayer.

Again, you could switch it around.

And for D, the children enjoyed the performance, laughing at every single joke.

Just check your work now to make sure you've always got a comma between your main clause and your non-finite I-N-G clause.

Really well done if you've managed that.

So we've learned what a non-finite I-N-G clause will look like.

Now let's compare it to the other subordinate clauses we may already know.

So we now know three types of subordinate clause.

Let's go through them in detail.

We have an adverbial clause, first of all, like before we were ready.

An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction.

Before is a subordinating conjunction, but there are many more, like as, when and after.

We also know a relative clause, like this one.

Who loves sport.

A relative clause starts with a relative pronoun.

And there's just two we need to remember of these, who and which.

And we now know a non-finite I-N-G clause, like this one.

Smiling at me kindly.

This starts with a progressive tense form of a verb, like the word smiling with that I-N-G suffix.

So you can see that we can tell which type of subordinate clause we're looking at by looking at the word it starts with.

Is it a subordinating conjunction? Is it a progressive tense verb? Or is it a relative pronoun? That will tell us what type of subordinate clause we're looking at.

But notice how for all three, we've had to pair it with a main clause to make it make sense.

So we've got three different complex sentences here.

Now, I wonder if you can match the type of subordinate clause to the type of word it starts with.

Pause the video and have a go.

Let's have a look.

An adverbial clause will start with a subordinating conjunction.

A relative clause will start with a relative pronoun, that's who or which.

And a non-finite clause or a non-finite I-N-G clause starts with a progressive tense verb with that I-N-G suffix.

Really good job.

So which of these are true for adverbial clauses, relative clauses and non-finite clauses? It has to be true for all three.

Pause the video and see if you can work it out.

So do all three not make complete sense? Yes, do they all contain a verb with an I-N-G suffix? No, that's just non-finite clauses.

And do they all need to be paired with a main clause to make complete sense? Yes, they do because they're subordinate clauses.

Really well done for splitting those.

So as we've just said, we can identify the type of subordinate clause we're looking at by looking at the starting word.

What word does the subordinate clause start with? Let's have a look at how that works.

Here's a complex sentence.

I sighed sadly as my stomach rumbled.

I've highlighted the subordinate clause, as my stomach rumbled.

I can see it starts with the word as.

As is a subordinating conjunction, so this must be an adverbial clause, as my stomach rumbled.

In this sentence, I've highlighted this subordinate clause, which was carved in stone, in my complex sentence.

Which was carved in stone starts with which, which is a relative pronoun.

So this must be a relative clause.

And finally, in this sentence, I've written, "Leaning on the garden fence, "my neighbour chatted happily with dad." Leaning on the garden fence is my subordinate clause.

It starts with leaning, a progressive tense verb with an I-N-G suffix.

So this must be a non-finite I-N-G clause.

So can you decide if the highlighted clause is a relative clause, an adverbial clause or a non-finite clause by looking at that starting word.

Pause the video and have a go.

Let's take a look.

In A, we have who at the start of our subordinate clause.

So this is a relative clause.

B starts with tiptoeing, an I-N-G word.

So this must be a non-finite I-N-G clause.

In C, we've got because, a subordinating conjunction.

So this is an adverbial clause.

And in D, we've got stretching, a progressive tense verb, so this is a non-finite I-N-G clause.

Now, we can tell when a non-finite clause begins by looking for that progressive tense verb with that I-N-G suffix.

Let me show you what I mean.

Here's a complex sentence with a non-finite clause inside it.

The MP felt nervous, standing up to speak in parliament.

I can see that I-N-G word, that progressive tense word here.

So this must be the non-finite clause, standing up to speak in parliament.

Now, if the non-finite clause comes first in the sentence, we can tell where it ends by looking for the comma.

Standing up to speak in parliament, the MP felt nervous.

Well, I know the non-finite clause must start with that word standing and it must finish at the comma here.

So the non-finite clause is standing up to speak in parliament.

Can you find the non-finite clause in each of these sentences? Pause the video and have a go.

Well done, let's take a look.

In A, we've got the I-N-G word here and the comma here, so it must be pushing my fears aside.

In B, I see the I-N-G progressive tense word there.

And then it goes all the way to the end of the sentence, stirring the delicious cake mixture.

And in C, here's our progressive tense word.

And all the way to the end of the sentence is our non-finite clause, walking into my new classroom.

Really good job.

Now, when we talk about adverbial clauses, we can tell where an adverbial clause begins by looking for that subordinating conjunction.

And we know here are some of the subordinating conjunctions that we have in the English language.

So let's look at this sentence.

The MP felt nervous as she stood up to speak in parliament.

I can see that subordinating conjunction as, which tells me this must be the adverbial clause, as she stood up to speak in parliament.

The rest of the sentence is the main clause, the part which could be a sentence on its own.

If the adverbial clause comes first in the sentence, we can tell where it ends by looking at the comma.

So here, we've got our subordinating conjunction, as, to start the sentence.

And we have our comma here, which tells that the adverbial clause must be as she stood up to speak in parliament.

And again, the main clause follows it.

So where's the adverbial clause in each of these sentences? Pause the video and see if you can spot it.

Let's take a look.

In A, we have our subordinating conjunction after, so this is the adverbial clause.

After we had raised sufficient money.

In B, we have when as our subordinating conjunction, so our adverbial clause must be when we took part in the judo competition.

And in C, we have before as our subordinating conjunction.

So we can see the adverbial clause, before I lost all my money.

Really good job for identifying those.

Now let's do our final task for this lesson.

In each sentence, I want you to find the subordinate clause and highlight it.

Perhaps your teacher will tell you to underline it.

Then I want you to label it as either a relative clause with RC, an adverbial clause with AC or a non-finite clause with NFC.

And remember, the type of non-finite clause we've learned today is just one type, starting with the I-N-G progressive tense verb.

Here are your sentences.

So pause the video and highlight those subordinate clauses and label them up.

Have a go.

Okay, let's have a look.

I'm going to show you first of all the subordinate clauses highlighted in each sentence.

Now I can tell these are all subordinate clauses because none of them could be a complete sentence on their own.

And the part in black of my sentence must be a main clause each time, which could be a sentence on its own.

Let's now label them up.

A starts with so, a subordinating conjunction.

So it's an adverbial clause.

B starts with an I-N-G progressive tense verb.

That's a non-finite clause.

In C, the subordinate clause starts with which, a relative pronoun.

So it's a relative clause.

In D, licking is our progressive tense verb, so that must be a non-finite clause.

And E, when is a subordinating conjunction, so that's an adverbial clause.

And in F, explaining starts with that progressive tense verb, so this is a non-finite clause.

If you've spotted all of those, you've done an amazing job and learned an awful follow up in this lesson, well done.

Okay, let's summarise our learning in this lesson.

We've learned that all subordinate clauses are groups of words that contain a verb that need to be added to a main clause in order to make complete sense.

We've learned that a non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause that can start with a progressive tense verb with our I-N-G suffix.

We've learned that the non-finite clause can be placed before or after the main clause, and that a comma is always placed between the non-finite clause and the main clause.

And we know that there are three types of subordinate clause that we know, an adverbial clause, a relative clause and a non-finite clause.

Now, we've learned an awful lot in this lesson with lots of tricky terminology, so a huge well done for sticking with it the whole way through, great job.

I can't wait to see you again in a future lesson where we apply this knowledge to writing some sentences of our own, goodbye.