Four sentence types
I can say and write four different sentence structures.
Four sentence types
I can say and write four different sentence structures.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A sentence composed of one main clause is a simple sentence.
- A sentence composed of at least two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction is a compound sentence.
- A sentence composed of at least one main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause is an adverbial complex sentence.
- A sentence composed of at least one main clause and a relative subordinate clause is a relative complex sentence.
- Specific comma rules apply to the demarcation of clauses in compound and complex sentence structures.
Keywords
Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Simple sentence - a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense
Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction
Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
Relative complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that any use of a co-ordinating conjunction creates a compound sentence.
Remind pupils that sentences like 'We ate cheese and ham.' cannot be a compound sentence because it does not contain two main clauses.
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Four sentence types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Four sentence types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the Five sentence types unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
What type of tree is this?
Run towards that tree.
How glorious this tree is!
This tree has been here for 300 years.
when we were ready
which I found confusing
we got ourselves ready
Put that down!
You can go, but please come back.
Shut the door when you leave.
My sister, who is nine, loves paintball.