New
New
Two types of clause, including subordinate clauses
I can identify different types of clause.
Lesson 1 of 7
New
New
- Year 4
Two types of clause, including subordinate clauses
I can identify different types of clause.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Any clause is a group of words that contains a verb.
- A main clause is a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense.
- A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb that does not make complete sense.
- A subordinate clause must be joined to a main clause to make a complex sentence.
- One type of subordinate clause is an adverbial clause, which starts with a subordinating conjunction.
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
Common misconception
Pupils may think verbs can only show 'doing'.
Verbs can show 'being' and 'having' as well as 'doing'. These are sometimes 'hidden' in contractions (I'm, she's, they've, we've).
Give children opportunities to engage in quick partner talk during Checks for Understanding, so that any child can be picked to answer instead of relying on 'hands up'.
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.What piece of punctuation should end this sentence? 'Where is your homework...'
What piece of punctuation should end this sentence? 'Where is your homework...'
full stop
capital letter
comma
Q2.Which two of these groups of words could be a complete sentence?
Which two of these groups of words could be a complete sentence?
all of a sudden
a small piece of paper
Q3.Match the word class to its meaning.
Match the word class to its meaning.
Q4.Which word is the verb in the sentence 'Izzy walked slowly to the park'.
Which word is the verb in the sentence 'Izzy walked slowly to the park'.
Izzy
slowly
park
Q5.Match each word in this sentence to its word class: 'Jacob dashed quickly to the local shop'.
Match each word in this sentence to its word class: 'Jacob dashed quickly to the local shop'.
Q6.Why does the word 'Laura' have a capital letter in this sentence? 'Sam gave Laura a brand new football'.
Why does the word 'Laura' have a capital letter in this sentence? 'Sam gave Laura a brand new football'.
It is at the start of a sentence.
It is a common noun - a naming word.
It is an adjective.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What must a clause contain?
What must a clause contain?
an adjective
an adverb
a phrase
Q2.Which two of these are main clauses?
Which two of these are main clauses?
just then
a tiny, wooden boat
Q3.Match the term to its meaning.
Match the term to its meaning.
Q4.Which two of these are subordinate clauses?
Which two of these are subordinate clauses?
I rolled sleepily out of bed
Aisha tiptoed across the damp grass
Q5.Which two elements does a complex sentence have to contain?
Which two elements does a complex sentence have to contain?
a phrase
an adjective
Q6.Make three complex sentences by matching the subordinate clauses to the main clauses.
Make three complex sentences by matching the subordinate clauses to the main clauses.
