New
New
Year 2

Joining with 'but'

I can join two simple sentences with 'but'.

New
New
Year 2

Joining with 'but'

I can join two simple sentences with 'but'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 'But' is a type of joining word.
  2. Joining two simple sentences with 'but' forms a compound sentence.
  3. The two ideas in a compound sentence joined with 'but' oppose each other.
  4. The 'but' joining word has a different meaning to the 'and' joining word.
  5. Each of the two ideas holds equal grammatical weight in the sentence.

Keywords

  • Joining word - a word that joins words or ideas

  • Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two simple sentences and a joining word

  • Oppose - disagree or compete with

Common misconception

Pupils may think that 'but' can be used in any sentence and may not recognise where it is suitable.

Show compound sentence examples that use the same first idea and let pupils hear the different joining words in action with the second idea.

Use intonation when reading the two ideas in a sentence joined by 'but'. Make sure that one of the simple sentences is spoken in a more negative tone of voice to highlight the fact the two ideas oppose one another.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following:
Correct Answer:noun,dinosaur

dinosaur

Correct Answer:phrase,gigantic dinosaur

gigantic dinosaur

Correct Answer:simple sentence,The gigantic dinosaur stomped its feet.

The gigantic dinosaur stomped its feet.

Correct Answer:compound sentence,The gigantic dinosaur stomped its feet and the ground shook.

The gigantic dinosaur stomped its feet and the ground shook.

Q2.
Tick the common nouns.
sprint
Correct answer: playground
happy
Correct answer: ball
Q3.
Identify the verb in this sentence: The little baby giggled happily.
little
baby
Correct answer: giggled
happily
Q4.
Match the simple sentence type to the punctuation mark it most often ends with.
Correct Answer:statement,.

.

Correct Answer:question,?

?

Correct Answer:exclamation,!

!

Q5.
A simple sentence must...
Correct answer: include a verb.
include two ideas.
Correct answer: begin with a capital letter.
Correct answer: make complete sense.
Q6.
How many ideas are there in a compound sentence?
Correct Answer: two, 2

6 Questions

Q1.
Tick the joining words.
the
Correct answer: and
Correct answer: but
dig
Q2.
Match the sentence type to its definition.
Correct Answer:compound sentence,formed of two ideas and a joining word

formed of two ideas and a joining word

Correct Answer:simple sentence,one idea that makes complete sense

one idea that makes complete sense

Q3.
Match the joining word to its purpose.
Correct Answer:and,for building on an idea

for building on an idea

Correct Answer:but,for two opposing ideas

for two opposing ideas

Q4.
Tick the compound sentences.
Correct answer: The dog barked and the cat woke up.
The fluffy rabbit munched a carrot.
Mum was tired.
Correct answer: Sofia got caught in the rain but she got to school on time.
Q5.
Which joining word would best fill the gap in this sentence? I like to play outside _____ my favourite game is Tag.
Correct Answer: and, And
Q6.
Which joining word would best fill the gap in this sentence? She wanted an ice cream ________the shop was closed.
Correct Answer: but, But