New
New
Year 5

Two types of clause

I can identify two different types of subordinate clause.

New
New
Year 5

Two types of clause

I can identify two different types of subordinate clause.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Any clause is a group of words that contains a verb.
  2. A main clause is a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense.
  3. A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb that does not make complete sense.
  4. There are different types of subordinate clause.
  5. Any type of subordinate clause must be joined to a main clause to make sense.

Common misconception

Pupils may not understand that relative and adverbial clauses are two types of subordinate clause.

Emphasise that relative and adverbial clauses are both subordinate, but they are differentiated by their starting word and use in sentences.

Keywords

  • Clause - a group of words that contains a verb

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

  • Subordinate clause - a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense

  • Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction

  • Relative clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun

When teaching relative clauses, encourage pupils to identify the noun or noun phrase that the clause follows - it is adding more information about this person, place or thing.
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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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word class to its meaning.
Correct Answer:noun,a naming word for a person, place or thing

a naming word for a person, place or thing

Correct Answer:verb,a doing, being or having word

a doing, being or having word

Correct Answer:adjective,a word that describes a noun

a word that describes a noun

Correct Answer:adverb,a word that describes a verb

a word that describes a verb

Q2.
What are the verbs in this sentence? 'We waited impatiently and we looked at the clock.'
we
Correct answer: waited
impatiently
Correct answer: looked
clock
Q3.
Which of these groups of words contain a verb?
Correct answer: we strode down the street
the long, winding street
Correct answer: as the sun shone brightly
the distant, golden sun in the bright sky
Q4.
Which of these groups of words do not contain a verb?
because we had eaten all the food
Correct answer: a huge pile of delicious, warming food
Correct answer: into a vast, dark cave of glittering jewels
he cautiously entered
Q5.
Which of these groups of words could be complete simple sentences?
which was very dark
Correct answer: we entered the cave
Correct answer: how would we find our way out
who was very scared
Q6.
Which of these groups of words could not be complete simple sentences?
Correct answer: as we shuddered in fear
the darkness seemed to cover us completely
Correct answer: while we waited
we huddled together in fear

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the groups of words below are main clauses?
Correct answer: we tried our best to finish the race
as we stumbled around the track
when we reached the finish line
Correct answer: Sam raised her arms in triumph
Q2.
Which of the groups of words below are subordinate clauses?
Correct answer: which was very difficult
we all enjoyed the PE lesson
Correct answer: when Mrs Begum blew her whistle
the children froze
Q3.
Which of the following are true for a main clause?
Correct answer: It contains a verb.
It contains no verb.
Correct answer: It makes complete sense.
Correct answer: It could be a simple sentence on its own.
Q4.
Which of the following are types of subordinate clause?
main clause
phrase
Correct answer: relative clause
Correct answer: adverbial clause
Q5.
Which of the following subordinate clauses are relative clauses?
before we could finish
Correct answer: which we did not finish
Correct answer: who loved to watch tennis
as we watched the tennis match
Q6.
Which of these sentences contain an adverbial clause?
Correct answer: We all clapped when Jun won the race.
Alex, who came second, shook his head in disappointment.
Correct answer: As Aisha reached the finish line, she smiled happily.
The race, which was over in seconds, was the last one of the day.