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      Subordination with 'as' in adverbial complex sentences

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      You can use "as" subordination in an adverbial complex sentence.

      Key learning points

      1. A subordinating conjunction starts an adverbial clause.
      2. There are many different subordinating conjunctions that have different meanings.
      3. "As" is a subordinating conjunction.
      4. Using "as" in an adverbial complex sentence tells the reader a simultaneous action or feeling is occurring.
      5. A preposition can tell the reader where a noun is.

      Keywords

      • Subordinating conjunction - a word that starts an adverbial clause

      • Simultaneous - at the same time

      • Preposition - word or words that can tell the reader where a noun is

      • Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction

      • Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause

      Common misconception

      Pupils do not recognise that different subordinating conjunctions have different meanings and uses.

      Each subordinating conjunction has a specific meaning. Each subordinating conjunction is useful for different sentence contexts.

      Teacher tip

      Provide more images and examples of simultaneous action to help solidify when "as" is used for subordination.

      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.
      Fill in the gap: any __________ is a group of words that contains a verb.

      phrase
      preposition
      Correct answer: clause
      conjunction

      Q2.
      Fill in the gap: a __________ starts an adverbial clause.

      co-ordinating conjunction
      suffix
      prefix
      Correct answer: subordinating conjunction

      Q3.
      Fill in the gap: adverbial clause + main clause = __________ sentence

      simple
      compound
      Correct answer: complex

      Q4.
      What is "because" subordinating conjunction useful for?

      Correct answer: for giving a reason
      for giving a time frame
      for giving a result

      Q5.
      What is "when" subordinating conjunction useful for?

      for giving a reason
      Correct answer: for giving a time frame
      for giving a result

      Q6.
      What is "so" subordinating conjunction useful for?

      for giving a reason
      for giving a time frame
      Correct answer: for giving a result

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does "simultaneous" mean?

      expresses strong emotion or surprise
      action that is always in the past tense
      a word that joins
      Correct answer: at the same time

      Q2.
      Fill in the gap: a preposition is a word or words that can tell the reader __________.

      Correct answer: where a noun is
      how surprised a character is
      the beginning, middle and end of a story

      Q3.
      Fill in the gaps: an adverbial clause is a type of __________ clause that starts with a __________.

      main, conjunction
      subordinate, co-ordinating conjunction
      Correct answer: subordinate, subordinating conjunction

      Q4.
      What is the subordinating conjunction that is useful for stating simultaneous action?

      when
      because
      so
      Correct answer: as

      Q5.
      Match the subordinating conjunction to its purpose.

      Correct Answer:when,for giving a time frame
      Correct Answer:so,for giving a result
      Correct Answer:as,for stating simultaneous action
      Correct Answer:because,for giving a reason

      Q6.
      Fill in the gap: main clause + __________ clause = adverbial complex sentence

      relative
      main
      Correct answer: adverbial

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Subordination with 'as' in adverbial complex sentences, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...