Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 6

Five sentence types

I can say and write five different sentence structures for text cohesion.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 6

Five sentence types

I can say and write five different sentence structures for text cohesion.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A sentence composed of one main clause is a simple sentence.
  2. A sentence composed of at least two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction is a compound sentence.
  3. There are three complex sentence structures: the adverbial complex, the relative complex and the non-finite complex.
  4. Different sentence types allow writers to write cohesively across a paragraph and a whole text.
  5. Text cohesion ensures text maintains the interest of the reader.

Common misconception

Pupils may believe that longer sentences are always preferable to short ones.

Emphasise that text cohesion is best served by variety and that short sentences have a significant role in writing.

Keywords

  • 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

  • Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause

  • Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose

Make your own checklist of the five sentence types to use whenever you prepare a piece of shared or modelled writing - and don't forget to use a range of different simple sentences as well!
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).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to the example.
Correct Answer:phrase,a small, jagged blade

a small, jagged blade

Correct Answer:main clause,he picked up the knife

he picked up the knife

Correct Answer:subordinate clause,picking up the knife

picking up the knife

Q2.
Which of the following are true for a main clause?
Correct answer: It contains a verb.
Correct answer: It could be a sentence on its own.
Correct answer: It makes complete sense.
It needs a subordinate clause to make complete sense.
Q3.
Match the types of subordinate clause to the examples.
Correct Answer:relative clause,which was very cold

which was very cold

Correct Answer:non-finite (-ing) clause,shivering with cold

shivering with cold

Correct Answer:adverbial clause,as I shivered with cold

as I shivered with cold

Q4.
Which of the following subordinate clauses are adverbial clauses?
Correct answer: when we were young
Correct answer: because we were too small
which was very difficult to understand
feeling very small
Q5.
Which of these sentences contain a non-finite (-ing) clause?
Correct answer: Rushing towards the swings, we raced through the park.
The park, which had very little equipment, was deserted.
As Jun stomped in, he slammed the door behind him.
Correct answer: Jun stomped in, slamming the door behind him.
Q6.
Which of these sentences uses a non-finite (-ing) clause correctly?
Looking through the window, elves were working hard.
Looking through the window, I looked behind me.
Correct answer: Looking through the window, I saw elves working hard.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each type of sentence to its definition.
Correct Answer:simple sentence,one main clause and one idea

one main clause and one idea

Correct Answer:compound sentence,two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction

two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction

Correct Answer:complex sentence,a main clause joined to any type of subordinate clause

a main clause joined to any type of subordinate clause

Q2.
Match the types of simple sentence to the examples.
Correct Answer:command,Show me your answers.

Show me your answers.

Correct Answer:exclamation,What a marvellous answer that is!

What a marvellous answer that is!

Correct Answer:statement,He answered quickly.

He answered quickly.

Correct Answer:question,What is the answer?

What is the answer?

Q3.
Which of the following are correctly formed compound sentences?
We could have dinner now or later.
Correct answer: We could have dinner now, or we could have it later.
We can go to the cinema and the shops.
Correct answer: We can go to the cinema and we can enjoy the shops.
Q4.
Which of the following are complex sentences?
Correct answer: As Miss O'Neill spoke, we all listened carefully.
We listened carefully to Miss O'Neill.
Mr Martinez was walking down the corridor and he was singing.
Correct answer: Mr Martinez was walking down the corridor, singing loudly.
Q5.
Which of the following are non-finite complex sentences?
Sam, who didn't enjoy Science, sighed heavily.
Correct answer: Sam sighed heavily, rolling her eyes.
Miss O'Neill frowned as she listened to my question.
Correct answer: Listening to my question, Miss O'Neill frowned.
Q6.
How can we improve text cohesion in our writing?
use only short words
use only simple sentences
Correct answer: use the full range of sentence types
use more compound sentences