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Year 5

A new sentence structure: the non-finite complex sentence

I can understand the structure of a non-finite complex sentence.

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New
New
Year 5

A new sentence structure: the non-finite complex sentence

I can understand the structure of a non-finite complex sentence.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause.
  2. A non-finite clause must join to a main clause to make sense.
  3. The non-finite clause denotes ongoing action that relates to the subject of the main clause.
  4. The action of the non-finite clause occurs simultaneously to the action of the main clause.
  5. A non-finite clause joined with a main clause forms the non-finite complex sentence.

Common misconception

Pupils may suggest ideas for main or non-finite clauses that cannot be done simultaneously.

Encourage pupils to imagine the two actions and consider whether they can be done at the same time.

Keywords

  • Non-finite clause - a type of subordinate clause that can start with a verb in the progressive tense

  • Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense

  • Progressive tense - a tense that denotes ongoing action

  • Simultaneous - at the same time

  • Non-finite complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a non-finite subordinate clause

Allow lots of time for partner talk and oral rehearsal of sentence ideas - it can be difficult to think of simultaneous actions.
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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Tick all the subordinate clauses.
Correct answer: which was very cold
I was very cold
Correct answer: before I had woken up
they woke up slowly
Q2.
Tick all the verbs in a progressive tense.
waited
Correct answer: playing
Correct answer: hoping
watched
Correct answer: throwing
Q3.
Which of the following are non-finite clauses?
Correct answer: looking up,
as we looked up,
while I waited patiently,
Correct answer: waiting patiently,
Q4.
Which of these sentences include a non-finite clause?
Correct answer: Answering the question perfectly, Sofia smiled.
Sofia smiled as she answered the question perfectly.
Correct answer: Sam raced home, trying to beat his brother to the door.
When Sam got home, his brother was already there.
Q5.
Match each type of subordinate clause to the type of word it can begin with.
Correct Answer:adverbial clause,subordinating conjunction

subordinating conjunction

Correct Answer:relative clause,relative pronoun

relative pronoun

Correct Answer:non-finite clause,progressive tense verb with -ing suffix

progressive tense verb with -ing suffix

Q6.
Match the type of subordinate clause to the example.
Correct Answer:adverbial clause,before we went to school

before we went to school

Correct Answer:non-finite clause,heading out of the door

heading out of the door

Correct Answer:relative clause,who was just leaving

who was just leaving

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Tick all the sentences that contain a non-finite clause.
Correct answer: Waiting for the bus, I looked at my watch.
Correct answer: Alex stomped into the room, throwing down his bag.
After we had eaten, we went out to play.
Q2.
Which of the following are true for a non-finite complex sentence?
Correct answer: It contains a subordinate clause.
Correct answer: It contains a main clause.
Correct answer: It can contain a verb with an -ing suffix.
It contains a subordinating conjunction.
Q3.
Which of these is true of a non-finite complex sentence?
It shows actions that take place at different times.
It shows actions that take place one after another.
Correct answer: It shows actions that take place simultaneously.
Q4.
Match the type of complex sentence to the word that could start its subordinate clause.
Correct Answer:relative complex sentence,which

which

Correct Answer:non-finite complex sentence,hoping

hoping

Correct Answer:adverbial complex sentence,because

because

Q5.
Match the type of complex sentence to the example.
Correct Answer:relative complex sentence,The man, who was short, shuffled down the street.

The man, who was short, shuffled down the street.

Correct Answer:non-finite complex sentence,Shuffling down the street, the man smiled.

Shuffling down the street, the man smiled.

Correct Answer:adverbial complex sentence,As the man shuffled down the street, he smiled.

As the man shuffled down the street, he smiled.

Q6.
Which of the following main clauses could follow this non-finite clause? Rushing down the street,...
Correct answer: I felt my heart pounding.
I stepped slowly and carefully.
Correct answer: I hoped I would not be late.