New
New
A new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence
I can identify the structure of a relative complex sentence.
Lesson 6 of 7
New
New
- Year 4
A new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence
I can identify the structure of a relative complex sentence.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The relative clause is a type of subordinate clause, which must join to a main clause to make complete sense.
- The relative clause adds extra, relevant information about a noun or noun phrase within a main clause.
- A relative clause often interrupts the main clause.
- A relative clause joined with a main clause forms the relative complex sentence.
Keywords
Relative clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Relevant - closely related to
Interrupt - force to stop or break
Relative complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause
Common misconception
Children may be unsure which noun or noun phrase the relative clause should be placed after.
The relative clause is placed after whichever noun or noun phrase it provides extra, relevant information about.
Use metaphors to teach the idea of the main clause being interrupted - for instance, you could describe the relative complex sentence as a burger, where the bun is the main clause and the meat is the relative clause.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are true for a subordinate clause?
Which of these are true for a subordinate clause?
It makes complete sense on its own.
It does not contain a verb.
Q2.What are two relative pronouns that can start a relative clause?
What are two relative pronouns that can start a relative clause?
while
when
Q3.In the sentence 'The bicycle, which had a red frame, belonged to my little sister', what is the relative clause?
In the sentence 'The bicycle, which had a red frame, belonged to my little sister', what is the relative clause?
The bicycle
The bicycle belonged to my sister
belonged to my sister
Q4.In the sentence 'Wales, which is a part of the UK, is a beautiful country', what noun does the relative clause tell us more about?
In the sentence 'Wales, which is a part of the UK, is a beautiful country', what noun does the relative clause tell us more about?
the UK
country
Q5.Match the noun phrases to the relative clauses they could link to.
Match the noun phrases to the relative clauses they could link to.
Q6.Which of the following sentences contain a relative clause?
Which of the following sentences contain a relative clause?
Because the house was made of wood, it burned down.
When my cousin was two, she went to nursery every day.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence contains a relative clause?
Which sentence contains a relative clause?
Andeep, a wonderful cricketer, hit the ball for six.
Andeep, a talented child, hit the ball for six.
Q2.Which relative clause could fill this gap? The mountain, ___________, was 3,000m high.
Which relative clause could fill this gap? The mountain, ___________, was 3,000m high.
who was very rocky and steep
which was 3,000m high
who was 3,000m high
Q3.Match the relative clause to the sentence it completes.
Match the relative clause to the sentence it completes.
Q4.In the sentence 'Alex won the competition easily', after which word would you place the relative clause 'who danced every day'?
In the sentence 'Alex won the competition easily', after which word would you place the relative clause 'who danced every day'?
won
competition
easily
Q5.Which of these are true for a relative complex sentence?
Which of these are true for a relative complex sentence?
It contains an adverbial clause.
Q6.To combine the two sentences 'Izzy was working hard in Maths.' and 'She was determined to do well', which sentence would be formed?
To combine the two sentences 'Izzy was working hard in Maths.' and 'She was determined to do well', which sentence would be formed?
Izzy, which was determined to do well, was working hard.
Izzy was working hard in Maths, which was determined to do well.
