Four sentence types
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can say and write four different sentence structures.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which is the correct definition of a clause?
Q2.Which of the following are main clauses?
Q3.Which of the following are subordinate clauses?
Q4.Which of the following are true for subordinate clauses?
Q5.Which of the following are adverbial clauses?
Q6.What one thing makes a relative clause different to an adverbial clause?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the types of simple sentence to the examples.
What type of tree is this?
Run towards that tree.
How glorious this tree is!
This tree has been here for 300 years.
Q2.Which of these are true for a compound sentence?
Q3.Tick the compound sentences.
Q4.Which of the following are found in an adverbial complex sentence?
Q5.Match the keywords to the examples.
when we were ready
which I found confusing
we got ourselves ready
Q6.Match the types of sentence to the examples.
Put that down!
You can go, but please come back.
Shut the door when you leave.
My sister, who is nine, loves paintball.
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Four sentence types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Four sentence types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Five sentence types unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.