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Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Four sentence types
I can say and write four different sentence structures.
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.
Don't expect pupils to be able to use a wide range of subordinating conjunctions without explicit teaching. In Oak lessons, the range of subordinating conjunctions taught is gradually increased over the primary years.
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 is the correct definition of a clause?
Which is the correct definition of a clause?
a group of words with no verb
a group of words that contains a noun
Q2.Which of the following are main clauses?
Which of the following are main clauses?
as we laughed
which made me laugh
Q3.Which of the following are subordinate clauses?
Which of the following are subordinate clauses?
it was very cold
we stomped through the icy fields
Q4.Which of the following are true for subordinate clauses?
Which of the following are true for subordinate clauses?
A subordinate clause makes complete sense on its own.
Q5.Which of the following are adverbial clauses?
Which of the following are adverbial clauses?
who was struggling
which was delicious
Q6.What one thing makes a relative clause different to an adverbial clause?
What one thing makes a relative clause different to an adverbial clause?
A relative clause does not make sense on its own.
A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause.
A relative clause is a group of words that contains a verb.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the types of simple sentence to the examples.
Match the types of simple sentence to the examples.
Q2.Which of these are true for a compound sentence?
Which of these are true for a compound sentence?
It contains just one main clause.
Q3.Tick the compound sentences.
Tick the compound sentences.
We stepped confidently into the dark, eerie forest.
Q4.Which of the following are found in an adverbial complex sentence?
Which of the following are found in an adverbial complex sentence?
a relative pronoun
Q5.Match the keywords to the examples.
Match the keywords to the examples.
Q6.Match the types of sentence to the examples.
Match the types of sentence to the examples.
