New
New
Year 4

Three sentence types

I can say and write three different sentence structures.

New
New
Year 4

Three sentence types

I can say and write three different sentence structures.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A sentence composed of one main clause is a simple sentence.
  2. There are four types of simple sentence: statement, question, command and exclamation.
  3. A sentence composed of at least two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction is a compound sentence.
  4. A sentence composed of at least one main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause is an adverbial complex sentence.

Keywords

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

  • 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

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

Common misconception

Pupils may believe using a co-ordinating conjunction always creates a compound sentence.

Using a co-ordinating conjunction only creates a compound sentence if the conjunction is joining main clauses.

Add images to the slides to inspire sentence writing.
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.
A clause is a group of words that contains a verb. Which two of the following are clauses?
just then
Correct answer: we ran in
oh dear
Correct answer: Jun laughed
Q2.
A main clause is a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense on its own. Which two of the following are main clauses?
which was very hot
Correct answer: it was very hot
Correct answer: Jacob felt too hot
because it was so hot
Q3.
A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb but does not make complete sense on its own. Which two of the following are subordinate clauses?
Correct answer: when it started to snow
it was snowing
Correct answer: as the snow fell
the snow was crisp and white
Q4.
What is a conjunction?
a being or doing word
a word that describes a noun
Correct answer: a joining word
a person, place or thing
Q5.
Match the main clause to the adverbial clause to make a complete sentence.
Correct Answer:Alex gasped for air,as he ran.

as he ran.

Correct Answer:Izzy was heartbroken,when the performance was cancelled.

when the performance was cancelled.

Correct Answer:We all cheered,because we had won the trophy.

because we had won the trophy.

Q6.
Which two of these are true for an adverbial clause?
it is a type of main clause
Correct answer: it is a type of subordinate clause
Correct answer: it begins with a subordinating conjunction
it could be a sentence on its own

6 Questions

Q1.
Which type of simple sentence is being described? 'This type of simple sentence could end with a full stop or an exclamation mark. It always contains an imperative verb.'
a statement
a question
Correct answer: a command
an exclamation
Q2.
Match the sentences to the types of simple sentence.
Correct Answer:statement,This tea has gone cold.

This tea has gone cold.

Correct Answer:command,Make more tea.

Make more tea.

Correct Answer:question,Do you take sugar?

Do you take sugar?

Correct Answer:exclamation,What a delicious cup of tea that was!

What a delicious cup of tea that was!

Q3.
What is the purpose of a co-ordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?
to join an adverbial clause and a main clause
Correct answer: to join two main clauses
to join two nouns
to join two adverbial clauses
Q4.
Match the co-ordinating conjunctions to the gaps in the compound sentences.
Correct Answer:and,I am cold __________ I am hungry.

I am cold __________ I am hungry.

Correct Answer:, but,I am cold __________ Andeep looks colder.

I am cold __________ Andeep looks colder.

Correct Answer:, or,We could eat now _________ we could save our food for later.

We could eat now _________ we could save our food for later.

Q5.
Where can the subordinating conjunction be placed in an adverbial complex sentence?
Correct answer: at the start of the sentence
at the end of the sentence
Correct answer: in the middle of the sentence, after the main clause
anywhere in the sentence
Q6.
Match the subordinating conjunction to the adverbial complex sentence it helps to create.
Correct Answer:As,__________ we listened, the teacher explained the task.

__________ we listened, the teacher explained the task.

Correct Answer:Because,__________ we listened well, we all succeeded.

__________ we listened well, we all succeeded.

Correct Answer:So,__________ we could succeed, we listened carefully.

__________ we could succeed, we listened carefully.