Using the comma rule in adverbial complex sentences
Lesson details
Learning outcome
You can use the comma rule to write accurate adverbial complex sentences.
Key learning points
- The position of an adverbial subordinate clause can move in an adverbial complex sentence.
- If the adverbial clause comes first in the sentence, it is followed by a comma to demarcate from the main clause.
- If the main clause comes first in the sentence, there is no comma used.
- A comma is a punctuation mark that has more than one purpose.
- Commas often help the reader see clause demarcation in a range of sentence types.
Keywords
Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
Common misconception
Pupils do not know when to use a comma to demarcate between the adverbial and main clause.
If the adverbial clause is first in the sentence, a comma is placed after it. If the main clause is first, no comma is placed after it.
Teacher tip
Use a gesture to model the comma, for example a curved hand slicing downwards through the air.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where can an adverbial clause appear in a sentence?
Q2.Fill in the gap: an adverbial clause only makes sense if it is joined to a clause.
Q3.What starts an adverbial clause?
Q4.Which of these groups are subordinating conjunctions?
Q5.Fill in the gap: commas can separate words or __________ in sentences.
Q6.When does an adverbial complex sentence need a comma?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the gap: any clause is a group of words that contains a .
Q2.Which clause starts with a subordinating conjunction?
Q3.Fill in the gap: to form a complex sentence, you must join a main clause to any type of clause.
Q4.Which of these groups are subordinating conjunctions?
Q5.Match the subordinating conjunction to its purpose.
for giving a reason
for giving a time frame
for giving a result
Q6.Fill in the gap: if the adverbial clause comes __________ in a complex sentence, a comma is placed after it ends and before the main clause begins.
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Using the comma rule in adverbial complex sentences, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Using the comma rule in adverbial complex sentences, 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.
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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 Simple, compound and adverbial complex sentences unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.