Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Subordination with 'because'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can stretch a simple sentence with 'because' subordination.

      Key learning points

      1. 'Because' is a joining word.
      2. A simple sentence can be stretched with 'because' to give a reason to the first idea.
      3. Joining the first idea with 'because' forms a second idea that is subordinate to the first.
      4. Using 'because' to stretch a simple sentence forms an adverbial complex sentence.

      Keywords

      • Joining word - a word that joins words or ideas

      • Reason - explanation or justification

      • Stretch - to make longer or fuller

      • Complex sentence - a sentence formed of a simple sentence joined with subordination

      Common misconception

      Pupils may think that an idea starting with 'because' makes complete sense on its own.

      Make sure that 'because' always begins the second idea so that pupils can hear that the idea does not make complete sense by itself.

      Teacher tip

      Use the term 'complex sentence' as opposed to exposing pupils to 'adverbial complex sentence' terminology at this point. For teacher subject knowledge, an adverbial complex sentence is formed of a main clause and an adverbial (because) clause.

      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

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these comes at the start of a sentence?

      verb
      noun
      Correct answer: capital letter
      joining word

      Q2.
      Match the sentence type to the correct example.

      Correct Answer:simple sentence,Let's go to the farm.

      Let's go to the farm.

      Correct Answer:compound sentence,Let's go to the farm and we can feed the baby lambs.

      Let's go to the farm and we can feed the baby lambs.

      Q3.
      What must every sentence contain in order to make complete sense?

      an adjective
      Correct answer: a verb
      an adverb
      a joining word

      Q4.
      Tick the sentences that make complete sense on their own.

      The wolf.
      Correct answer: The wolf howled.
      howled
      Correct answer: The wolf howled loudly at the moon.

      Q5.
      Tick the joining words.

      Correct answer: and
      the
      my
      Correct answer: but

      Q6.
      Joining words...

      can join two adjectives.
      Correct answer: can join two words or ideas.
      always come at the end of a sentence.
      always come at the start of a sentence.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the joining word to its purpose.

      Correct Answer:and,for building on

      for building on

      Correct Answer:but,for a positive and a negative

      for a positive and a negative

      Correct Answer:because,for giving a reason

      for giving a reason

      Q2.
      What does it mean if something is dependent on something else?

      It does not rely on anything else at all.
      Correct answer: It relies on something else to function or make sense.

      Q3.
      Which of these ideas are dependent on another idea to make sense?

      We went to the restaurant.
      Correct answer: because they are muddy
      I turned on the light.
      Correct answer: because it was cold

      Q4.
      Which word in this sentence is being used to stretch the first idea? 'The cat purred because it was content.'

      Correct Answer: because, Because

      Q5.
      Tick the second idea that best stretches this sentence: We took a picnic rug...

      because we were in a rush.
      Correct answer: because it was a beautiful day.
      because the doorbell rang.

      Q6.
      Using 'because' to stretch a first idea...

      forms a compound sentence.
      forms a simple sentence.
      Correct answer: forms a complex sentence.

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Subordination with 'because', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...