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Primary English · Year 3Chapter 3 · Word classes
Year 3 · Chapter 3

Word classes

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Say what a noun, verb, adjective and adverb do, and test each one
  • Say what a pronoun, preposition, conjunction and determiner do, and test each one
  • Find the word class of each word in a sentence
  • Choose a or an by the first sound of the next word
  • Explain why a word is a noun, a verb or another word class, using its job in the sentence

You should already know

  • Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, and their everyday uses (Year 2)
  • Expanded noun phrases, such as the blue butterfly (Year 2)

Where this leads

  • Clauses and sentences, with conjunctions such as when, because and although (Chapter 4)
  • Punctuating direct speech (Chapter 5)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 3. Content: Name the word class of a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction and determiner, Use a simple test to decide the word class of a word in its sentence, Recognise that the same word can have different word classes in different sentences, Choose a or an according to whether the next word begins with a consonant or a vowel sound, Learn the grammar for Years 3 and 4 in English Appendix 2, including determiners and pronouns.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the noun in this sentence: The red kite flew high.
2
FWhich word is the action word in this sentence? The frog jumped into the pond.
3
FWrite the word that describes the dog in this sentence: The big dog barked.
4
FWrite the word ending in ly that tells how Sam walked: Sam walked slowly to school.
5
FWrite the plural of child, which means more than one child.
3.1

Nouns: naming words

Year 3
Name the noun in a sentence, and the proper nouns that start with a capital letter, Name the eight word classes in this chapter, with a simple test for each
Video lesson: Nouns: naming wordsComing soon
Story. Mia and Ali visit a farm with their class. They meet a goat called Daisy, and they see a red tractor in the yard. The farmer says that the goat loves apples.

Every word has a word class. The word class tells us the job that a word does in a sentence. This chapter has eight word classes.

A noun is a naming word. It names a person, a place, a thing, an animal or an idea. Goat, farmer and tractor are nouns. So are kindness and happiness, which name ideas.

A proper noun is the name of a particular person or place. It starts with a capital letter, such as Mia or London.

The simple test for a noun: can you put the in front of it? The goat makes sense, so goat is a noun.

Word classWhat it doesSimple testExamples
Nounnames a person, place, thing, animal or ideacan go after thegoat, London, kindness
Verbshows an action or a statecan change to show timejumps, was, have
Adjectivedescribes a nouncan go after verytall, green, happy
Adverbtells how, when, where or how oftenanswers how?, when?, where? or how often?quickly, here, soon
Pronountakes the place of a nouncan replace a nounhe, them, mine
Prepositionshows where, when or how things are relatedis followed by a noun or pronoununder the table, after lunch
Conjunctionjoins words, phrases or sentencesjoins two partsand, but, because
Determinercomes before a nounsays which one or how manythe, a, my, every
The eight word classes in this chapter, with a simple test for each one.
Thedeterminerdognounsleepsverbbyprepositionthedeterminerdoor.noun
Each word is labelled with its word class. Dog and door are nouns.

Key ideas

  • A noun names a person, a place, a thing, an animal or an idea.
  • Proper nouns start with a capital letter: Mia, London.
  • The test: a noun can usually go after the word the.
  • Kindness is a noun, because it names an idea.
Worked example 3.1.1
What word class is dog in: The dog sleeps by the door.

Method. Find the job of dog in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    The dog sleeps by the door.
  2. Ask the test question. A noun names a person, a place, a thing, an animal or an idea.
    Put the in front: the dog makes sense, so dog is a noun.
  3. Write the answer.
    noun

Check. Check the job of dog once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. Ideas such as kindness are nouns too. Proper nouns start with a capital letter.

Worked example 3.1.2
Write the nouns in: Our teacher reads a long story.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a noun.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Our teacher reads a long story.
  2. Pick out the nouns. Each noun does the job that the chapter describes.
    teacher, story
  3. Write the answer.
    teacher, story

Check. Each word in the answer is a noun. ✓

Watch out. Ideas such as kindness are nouns too. Proper nouns start with a capital letter.

Worked example 3.1.3
Which words are proper nouns in this sentence? Ali gave Sam a red pencil.

Method. Look for the names of particular people.

  1. Look at Ali. Ali is the name of one particular person, and it starts with a capital letter.
    Ali: a proper noun
  2. Look at Sam. Sam is also the name of one particular person.
    Sam: a proper noun
  3. Look at pencil. Pencil is a thing, not a name, and it starts with a small letter.
    pencil: a common noun
  4. Write the answer.
    Ali, Sam

Check. Both names start with a capital letter. ✓

Watch out. A common noun, such as pencil, does not start with a capital letter.

Watch out

Watch out: a proper noun always starts with a capital letter. Write London, not london. Ideas and feelings are nouns too: happiness is a noun, even though you cannot touch it.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Point at things in the room and ask your child to put the in front of their names. If the fits, the word is a noun. Then ask whether the noun is a name, which needs a capital letter.

Exercise 3A  Practice: nouns and proper nouns

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is dog in: The dog sleeps by the door.
(b)What word class is sleeps in: The dog sleeps by the door.
(c)What word class is tulips in: The children planted tulips in the garden.
(d)What word class is London in: Mia visited London with her mum.
2
FWrite the nouns in each sentence.
(a)Write the nouns in: The dog sleeps by the door.
(b)Write the nouns in: Kindness makes the class feel happy.
(c)Write the nouns in: The children planted tulips in the garden.
(d)Write the nouns in: Ali gave Sam a red pencil.
3
FWhich word in this sentence names a place? The children planted tulips in the garden.
4
FWrite a noun for an animal and a noun for a place. Any correct answers, for example: goat and school.
5
PSWrite the proper nouns in this sentence: Mia visited London with her mum.
6
PSBen writes london in his letter. Write the word correctly.
7
PSWrite a sentence with a noun for a person, a noun for a place and a noun for an idea. Any correct sentence, for example: My friend shared her happiness in the park.
8
RMia says that garden is not a noun, because a garden is a place and not a thing. Is she right? Explain.
9
RAli says that tulips is not a noun in The children planted tulips in the garden, because a tulip is a plant. Is he right? Explain.
10
RWrite one sentence in which garden is a noun and plant is also a noun. Any correct sentence, for example: We watered the plant in the garden.
3.2

Verbs: doing and being words

Year 3
Name the verb in a sentence, including verbs that show being or having, Change a verb to show that an action happened yesterday
Video lesson: Verbs: doing and being wordsComing soon
Story. Ravi is at the swimming pool. He jumps in, swims two lengths, and then he dries off. Later, he tells his gran that he was tired and that he has a new swimming hat.

A verb is a doing word or a being word. It tells us what someone or something does, is or has.

Jump, swim and climb are action verbs. Was, is and have are verbs too, because they tell us about a state: how someone is, or what they have.

Verbs change to show time. Today I jump. Yesterday I jumped. Many verbs add ed to show the past tense. Some verbs change more, such as swim and swam.

Thedeterminerfrognounjumpsverbintoprepositionthedeterminerpond.noun
Jumps is the verb: it tells what the frog does.

Key ideas

  • A verb is an action word (jump, swim) or a being or having word (was, have).
  • The verb can change to show time: jumps (today), jumped (yesterday).
  • Most verbs add ed to make the past tense: walk, walked; paint, painted.
  • Some verbs change their spelling: swim, swam.
Worked example 3.2.1
What word class is jumps in: The frog jumps into the pond.

Method. Find the job of jumps in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    The frog jumps into the pond.
  2. Ask the test question. A verb tells what someone or something does, is or has.
    Ask what jumps shows. It shows an action (what someone does) or a state (being or having), so it is a verb.
  3. Write the answer.
    verb

Check. Check the job of jumps once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. Verbs can change to show time: today I jump, yesterday I jumped.

Worked example 3.2.2
Write the verbs in: The bird flew over the fence.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a verb.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    The bird flew over the fence.
  2. Pick out the verbs. Each verb does the job that the chapter describes.
    flew
  3. Write the answer.
    flew

Check. Each word in the answer is a verb. ✓

Watch out. Verbs can change to show time: today I jump, yesterday I jumped.

Worked example 3.2.3
Today the dog barks. Yesterday the dog ___. Write the missing verb.

Method. Change the verb from the present tense to the past tense.

  1. Look at the verb today. The verb is in the present tense.
    bark
  2. Change it to show yesterday. Most verbs add ed to make the past tense.
    bark becomes barked
  3. Write the answer.
    barked

Check. Read the sentence with barked in it. ✓

Watch out. Check the spelling of the past tense, for example jumped, painted, climbed.

Watch out

Watch out: a word can be a verb in one sentence and a noun in another. A jump is a noun, but I jump uses jump as a verb. Always check the job of the word in its sentence.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Act out a verb with your child: jump, sit, sleep. Then say it for yesterday: jumped, sat, slept. Ask your child to make a sentence with each verb.

Exercise 3B  Practice: verbs

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is jumps in: The frog jumps into the pond.
(b)What word class is was in: Ali was tired after the match.
(c)What word class is have in: We have a new bike.
(d)What word class is fence in: The bird flew over the fence.
2
FWrite the verbs in each sentence.
(a)Write the verbs in: The frog jumps into the pond.
(b)Write the verbs in: Ali was tired after the match.
(c)Write the verbs in: Mia and Ben swim every Tuesday.
(d)Write the verbs in: They painted the fence yesterday.
3
FToday the frog jumps. Yesterday the frog ___. Write the missing verb.
4
FWrite the past tense. The first sentence is about today.
(a)Today I walk. Yesterday I ___.
(b)Today she paints. Yesterday she ___.
(c)Today they climb. Yesterday they ___.
(d)Today he swims. Yesterday he ___.
5
PSWhich word in this sentence is a verb? Mia and Ben swim every Tuesday.
6
PSBen has a red bike. Write a verb that shows having, to finish this sentence: Ali ___ a new book. Any correct verb, for example: has or had.
7
PSWhich two words are verbs? swims, tall, garden, paints
8
PSWrite a sentence that has the verb climbed and a noun. Any correct sentence, for example: The cat climbed the tree.
9
RBen says that was cannot be a verb, because it is a very short word. Is he right? Explain.
10
RRewrite this sentence so it tells what happened yesterday: The frog jumps into the pond.
3.3

Adjectives and adverbs: describing words

Year 3
Name adjectives, which describe a noun, and the test with very, Name adverbs, which tell how, when, where or how often, and form adverbs with ly
Video lesson: Adjectives and adverbs: describing wordsComing soon
Story. Sam and his dad go to the beach on a hot day. The sand is soft, the sea is cold, and the waves crash loudly. Sam runs quickly to the water, and he splashes again and again.

An adjective describes a noun. It tells us more about a thing, such as a tall tree, green leaves or a cold sea.

An adverb tells us more about a verb. It says how, when, where or how often something happens. In Sam runs quickly, quickly tells us how he runs.

Many adverbs end in ly, but not all. Here, soon and often are adverbs too.

WordClassWhat it tells usTest
talladjectivewhat a noun is likevery tall
quicklyadverbhow something is donehow? quickly
hereadverbwhere something happenswhere? here
againadverbhow often something happenshow often? again
alwaysadverbhow often something happenshow often? always
Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs tell how, when, where or how often.
Thedeterminersoupnounwasverbhotadjectiveandconjunctiontasty.adjective
Hot and tasty are adjectives, because they describe the soup.

Key ideas

  • An adjective describes a noun: a tall tree.
  • The test for an adjective: can very go in front? Very tall makes sense.
  • An adverb tells how, when, where or how often: quickly, here, again.
  • Many adverbs end in ly, but here, soon and often do not.
Worked example 3.3.1
What word class is tall in: The tall tree swayed in the wind.

Method. Find the job of tall in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    The tall tree swayed in the wind.
  2. Ask the test question. An adjective tells us more about a noun.
    Put very in front: very tall makes sense. tall describes a noun, so it is an adjective.
  3. Write the answer.
    adjective

Check. Check the job of tall once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. An adjective describes a noun. It does not describe a verb.

Worked example 3.3.2
Which word in this sentence is a adverb? The puppy ran quickly across the grass.

Method. Find the one word that is a adverb.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    The puppy ran quickly across the grass.
  2. Find the word that is a adverb. Only one word in this sentence does this job.
    quickly is a adverb
  3. Write the answer.
    quickly

Check. Read the sentence again and check quickly. ✓

Watch out. An adverb often ends in -ly, but not always: here, soon and often do not.

Worked example 3.3.3
What word class is again in: The sleepy cat yawned again.

Method. Find the job of again in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    The sleepy cat yawned again.
  2. Ask the test question. An adverb tells us how, when, where or how often something happens.
    Ask how, when, where or how often. again answers one of these questions about the verb, so it is an adverb.
  3. Write the answer.
    adverb

Check. Check the job of again once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. An adverb often ends in -ly, but not always: here, soon and often do not.

Watch out

Watch out: quickly is an adverb, but quick is an adjective. Quick describes a noun: a quick run. Quickly tells how something happens: he ran quickly.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to point to a thing and describe it: a tall tree. Then ask how the tree moves in the wind: it sways gently. Put very in front of the adjective to check it.

Exercise 3C  Practice: adjectives and adverbs

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is tall in: The tall tree swayed in the wind.
(b)What word class is quickly in: The puppy ran quickly across the grass.
(c)What word class is loudly in: Sam sang loudly at the concert.
(d)What word class is heavy in: The mouse hid under a heavy box.
2
FWrite the adjectives in each sentence.
(a)Write the adjectives in: The soup was hot and tasty.
(b)Write the adjectives in: The sleepy cat yawned again.
3
FWrite the adverbs in each sentence.
(a)Write the adverbs in: We waited here for an hour.
(b)Write the adverbs in: The sleepy cat yawned again.
(c)Write the adverbs in: Ben always walks carefully.
4
FWhich word tells where we waited? We waited here for an hour.
5
PSWrite the adverb that tells how often. Ben always walks carefully.
6
PSWhich noun does the adjective heavy describe? The mouse hid under a heavy box.
7
PSWhich two words are adjectives? happily, tall, soon, green
8
PSMake an adverb from each adjective by adding ly.
(a)Make an adverb from quick by adding ly. Write it.
(b)Make an adverb from loud by adding ly. Write it.
(c)Make an adverb from quiet by adding ly. Write it.
(d)Make an adverb from gentle by adding ly. Write it.
9
RAli says that quickly is an adjective, because it describes the puppy. Is he right? Explain.
10
RWrite one sentence with an adjective and an adverb. Any correct sentence, for example: The little dog barked loudly.
3.4

Pronouns: words that take the place of a noun

Year 3
Name pronouns, including me, him, them and the possessive pronouns mine, yours and theirs, Tell a pronoun from a determiner that comes before a noun
Video lesson: Pronouns: words that take the place of a nounComing soon
Story. Mia lost her scarf at the park. She looked under the bench, but it was not there. Ben found it near the swing, and he gave it back to her.

A pronoun takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase, so we do not have to repeat it. Mia becomes she. The scarf becomes it.

Some pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. Some come after a verb or a preposition: me, you, him, her, it, us, them. A possessive pronoun shows who owns something and stands alone: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.

The simple test: can you put a noun in the place of the word, such as Mia for she?

Kind of pronounExamplesTest
Subject (does the action)I, you, he, she, it, we, theyreplaces the doer: Mia becomes she
Object (has the action done to it)me, you, him, her, it, us, themreplaces the receiver: the book becomes it
Possessive pronoun (stands alone)mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirsThat bag is mine: no noun follows
Three kinds of pronoun. A possessive pronoun does not come before a noun.
Thedeterminerteachernoungaveverbuspronounadeterminersticker.noun
Us is a pronoun. It stands in place of the speaker and other people.

Key ideas

  • A pronoun takes the place of a noun: Mia becomes she.
  • Pronouns can come after a verb or preposition: gave us, with them.
  • A possessive pronoun, such as mine, stands alone: That bag is mine.
  • A determiner, such as my, comes before a noun: my bag.
Worked example 3.4.1
What word class is she in: Mia lost her scarf, so she looked for it.

Method. Find the job of she in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    Mia lost her scarf, so she looked for it.
  2. Ask the test question. A pronoun takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase.
    Can a noun take the place of she? If so, she is a pronoun, because it stands in place of a noun.
  3. Write the answer.
    pronoun

Check. Check the job of she once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. A pronoun is used instead of a noun. It is not used after the noun it replaces.

Worked example 3.4.2
Write the pronouns in: Ben gave the book to Ali, and Ali thanked him.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a pronoun.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Ben gave the book to Ali, and Ali thanked him.
  2. Pick out the pronouns. Each pronoun does the job that the chapter describes.
    him
  3. Write the answer.
    him

Check. Each word in the answer is a pronoun. ✓

Watch out. A pronoun is used instead of a noun. It is not used after the noun it replaces.

Worked example 3.4.3
Which word in this sentence is a determiner? Those books are mine.

Method. Find the one word that is a determiner.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Those books are mine.
  2. Find the word that is a determiner. Only one word in this sentence does this job.
    Those is a determiner
  3. Write the answer.
    Those

Check. Read the sentence again and check Those. ✓

Watch out. A determiner comes before a noun: my bag, every child, a bag.

Watch out

Watch out: her is a pronoun in I gave her the pen, but it is a determiner in her pen. The same word can have different word classes. Check what comes after it.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read a short passage together. Ask your child to point to each pronoun and say which noun it stands for. Then ask: does a noun follow it? If so, it is a determiner.

Exercise 3D  Practice: pronouns

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is she in: Mia lost her scarf, so she looked for it.
(b)What word class is him in: Ben gave the book to Ali, and Ali thanked him.
(c)What word class is mine in: The bag is mine, and the coat is yours.
(d)What word class is seeds in: They planted seeds in the tub.
2
FWrite the pronouns in each sentence.
(a)Write the pronouns in: They planted seeds in the tub.
(b)Write the pronouns in: We saw the lions, and they roared.
(c)Write the pronouns in: The teacher gave us a sticker.
(d)Write the pronouns in: Those are mine.
3
FReplace the bold words with a pronoun. Write the new sentence.
(a)Replace Mia: Mia likes apples.
(b)Replace the bus: The bus was late.
(c)Replace Ben and Ali: Ben and Ali ran home.
4
FWrite the missing pronoun: The bus is late, so ___ will be here soon.
5
PSWrite the possessive pronouns in this sentence: The bag is mine, and the coat is yours.
6
PSWhich pronoun could replace Sam and Ella? Choose we, they or him.
7
PSRewrite the end of this sentence, using a pronoun for Ben: Ali thanked Ben.
8
RMia says that it in looked for it is a determiner, because it comes before a noun. Is she right? Explain.
9
RBen says that Those is a determiner in Those are mine. Is he right? Explain.
10
RWrite one sentence with the pronoun them and the possessive pronoun theirs. Any correct sentence, for example: The children saw them, and the bag is theirs.
3.5

Prepositions: showing where, when and how

Year 3
Name prepositions that show place, time and direction, such as under, through, during and into, Name the prepositional phrase: a preposition followed by a noun or pronoun
Video lesson: Prepositions: showing where, when and howComing soon
Story. Our cat is hiding. It is under the table, and then it moves behind the sofa. After dinner, it jumps onto the bed and falls asleep in the warm sunshine.

A preposition shows where something is, when something happens or how things are related. It often comes before a noun or a pronoun, such as under the table or after lunch.

The group of words that starts with a preposition is a prepositional phrase. In along the beach, the word along is the preposition and the beach is the noun phrase that follows it.

Common prepositions are: in, on, under, over, behind, between, through, across, into, from, during, after.

Putverbthedeterminercupsnounonprepositionthedeterminershelf.noun
On is the preposition. It shows where the cups go, and it is followed by the shelf.

Key ideas

  • A preposition shows where, when or how things are related.
  • It is followed by a noun or pronoun: under the table, after lunch, into it.
  • Prepositions of time include during and after: during the storm, after lunch.
  • Prepositions of place include under, behind, between and across.
Worked example 3.5.1
What word class is under in: The cat is under the table.

Method. Find the job of under in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    The cat is under the table.
  2. Ask the test question. A preposition shows where, when or how things are related.
    Look at the word after under. A preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun, and it shows where, when or how.
  3. Write the answer.
    preposition

Check. Check the job of under once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun: under the table, after lunch.

Worked example 3.5.2
Write the prepositions in: Our kite flew above the trees.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a preposition.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Our kite flew above the trees.
  2. Pick out the prepositions. Each preposition does the job that the chapter describes.
    above
  3. Write the answer.
    above

Check. Each word in the answer is a preposition. ✓

Watch out. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun: under the table, after lunch.

Worked example 3.5.3
Write the prepositions in: Leo hid behind the sofa during the storm.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a preposition.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Leo hid behind the sofa during the storm.
  2. Pick out the prepositions. Each preposition does the job that the chapter describes.
    behind, during
  3. Write the answer.
    behind, during

Check. Each word in the answer is a preposition. ✓

Watch out. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun: under the table, after lunch.

Watch out

Watch out: after is a preposition in after lunch, but it is a conjunction in after we eat, because it joins two parts. Check what follows the word: a noun means a preposition, and a whole verb and subject means a conjunction.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to move a toy: under the table, behind the sofa, across the rug. Say each preposition, and then the noun that follows it.

Exercise 3E  Practice: prepositions

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is under in: The cat is under the table.
(b)What word class is along in: We walked along the beach after lunch.
(c)What word class is Leo in: Leo hid behind the sofa during the storm.
(d)What word class is Grandad in: The letter came from Grandad.
2
FWrite the prepositions in each sentence.
(a)Write the prepositions in: The bus goes through the tunnel.
(b)Write the prepositions in: Put the cups on the shelf.
(c)Write the prepositions in: The children ran into the hall.
(d)Write the prepositions in: The ball rolled between the chairs.
3
FWrite the preposition that fits each clue.
(a)We walked ___ the road. Write the preposition that means from one side to the other.
(b)The dog ran ___ the house. Write the preposition that means to the inside of.
(c)We swam ___ the summer. Write the preposition that means in the course of.
4
FWhich word in this sentence is a preposition? Put the cups on the shelf.
5
PSWrite the two prepositional phrases in this sentence. We walked along the beach after lunch.
6
PSWhich two words are prepositions? over, bird, behind, quickly
7
PSWrite a sentence with the preposition beside and a noun. Any correct sentence, for example: The dog sleeps beside the fire.
8
PSWhich preposition fits? The shoes are ___ the bed. Choose under, yesterday or quickly. Explain.
9
RAli says that after in after lunch is a conjunction, because it joins two words. Is he right? Explain.
10
RWrite two sentences: in the first, use after as a preposition; in the second, use after to join two parts. Any correct answer, for example: We play after lunch. and We play after we finish our lunch.
3.6

Conjunctions: joining words and ideas

Year 3
Name conjunctions, such as and, but, or, so, because, although and if, Explain which two parts of a sentence a conjunction joins
Video lesson: Conjunctions: joining words and ideasComing soon
Story. It is a rainy day, so the class plays indoors. Ella and Sam build a tower with blocks, but it falls down. They laugh, and then they start again, because it is more fun.

A conjunction joins two words, two phrases or two parts of a sentence. The word and joins things, and so joins a reason to its result.

Some conjunctions join equal parts: and, but, or, so. Others join a main part to an extra part, such as because, when, if, although. You will learn more about these in Chapter 4.

The simple test: does the word sit between two parts that it joins?

Samnounlikesverbapplesnounandconjunctionpears.noun
And is the conjunction. It joins apples and pears.

Key ideas

  • A conjunction joins two words, phrases or sentences.
  • And, but, or and so join equal parts: cats and dogs, tea or juice.
  • Because, when, if and although join a main part to an extra part.
  • The conjunction sits between the two parts it joins.
Worked example 3.6.1
What word class is and in: Sam likes apples and pears.

Method. Find the job of and in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    Sam likes apples and pears.
  2. Ask the test question. A conjunction joins two words, phrases or sentences.
    Check whether and joins two parts of the sentence. It does, so it is a conjunction.
  3. Write the answer.
    conjunction

Check. Check the job of and once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. A conjunction sits between the two parts that it joins.

Worked example 3.6.2
Write the conjunctions in: Mia was late, so she ran.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a conjunction.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Mia was late, so she ran.
  2. Pick out the conjunctions. Each conjunction does the job that the chapter describes.
    so
  3. Write the answer.
    so

Check. Each word in the answer is a conjunction. ✓

Watch out. A conjunction sits between the two parts that it joins.

Worked example 3.6.3
Which two parts does but join in this sentence? We can play outside, but it is raining.

Method. Find the two parts on each side of but.

  1. Find the first part. We can play outside is the first part.
    We can play outside
  2. Find the second part. It is raining is the second part.
    it is raining
  3. Write the answer.
    We can play outside; it is raining

Check. But joins the two parts, and both parts are full ideas. ✓

Watch out. But shows that the second part is a different idea.

Watch out

Watch out: so is a conjunction in Mia was late, so she ran. It is not an adverb, because it joins two parts. Some words that sound like conjunctions are really adverbs, such as so in I am so happy.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Make two short sentences together, such as We like the park and It is windy. Join them with but, then with and. Ask your child which joining word fits the meaning.

Exercise 3F  Practice: conjunctions

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is and in: Sam likes apples and pears.
(b)What word class is or in: Would you like tea or juice?
(c)What word class is so in: Mia was late, so she ran.
(d)What word class is although in: Ella tidied her room although it was late.
2
FWrite the conjunctions in each sentence.
(a)Write the conjunctions in: We can play outside, but it is raining.
(b)Write the conjunctions in: I stayed inside because it was cold.
(c)Write the conjunctions in: Ben wants a book or a pencil.
(d)Write the conjunctions in: You can come if you are quiet.
3
FFill the gap with and, or or but: We could go to the park ___ we could stay at home.
4
FChoose but or so: The bag was heavy, ___ Ben carried it slowly.
5
PSWhich two parts does so join in this sentence? Mia was late, so she ran.
6
PSWhich word in this sentence is a conjunction? Ben wants a book or a pencil.
7
PSWhich words are conjunctions? and, because, cat, but, tall
8
PSWrite a sentence with and that joins two nouns. Any correct sentence, for example: We like cats and dogs.
9
RBen says that because is a preposition in I stayed inside because it was cold, because it comes before the word it. Is he right? Explain.
10
RJoin these two sentences with but: We like the park. It is windy.
3.7

Determiners and a or an

Year 3
Name determiners, which come before a noun and say which one or how many, Choose a or an by the first sound of the next word, using example words
Video lesson: Determiners and a or anComing soon
Story. Ella's class is planning a picnic. Every child brings a packed lunch. Some parents bring a blanket, and their children bring fruit. The teacher brings a big bag of crisps for everyone.

A determiner comes before a noun. It tells us which one or how many. The words the, a and an are determiners, and so are this, that, these, those, my, your, his, her, its, our, their, every, each and some.

The simple test: put a noun after the word. This kite and those oranges make sense, so this and those are determiners.

Use an before a word that starts with a vowel sound, such as the sound at the start of apple. Use a before a word that starts with a consonant sound, such as the sound at the start of dog. Choose by the first sound, not the first letter.

UseWhenExample words
anbefore a vowel sound (the sounds at the start of up, egg, on, eye)an apple, an egg, an orange, an hour
abefore a consonant sound (the sounds at the start of dog, hat, you)a dog, a horse, a unicorn, a university
a or an depends on the first sound of the next word. Hour has a silent h, so it starts with a vowel sound.
Thisdeterminerkitenounisverbmydeterminerfavouriteadjectivetoy.noun
This and my are determiners. Each comes before a noun.

Key ideas

  • A determiner comes before a noun and says which one or how many: this kite, my bag, every child.
  • The, a and an are determiners.
  • Use an before a vowel sound: an egg, an hour.
  • Use a before a consonant sound: a horse, a unicorn.
Worked example 3.7.1
What word class is This in: This kite is my favourite toy.

Method. Find the job of This in the sentence, then name its word class.

  1. Read the sentence and find the word. Look at the word in its sentence, not on its own.
    This kite is my favourite toy.
  2. Ask the test question. A determiner comes before a noun and says which one or how many.
    Look at the word after This. A determiner comes before a noun, and it says which one or how many.
  3. Write the answer.
    determiner

Check. Check the job of This once more in the sentence. ✓

Watch out. A determiner comes before a noun: my bag, every child, a bag.

Worked example 3.7.2
Write the determiners in: Those oranges are sweet.

Method. Find each word in the sentence that is a determiner.

  1. Read the sentence. Check the job of each word.
    Those oranges are sweet.
  2. Pick out the determiners. Each determiner does the job that the chapter describes.
    Those
  3. Write the answer.
    Those

Check. Each word in the answer is a determiner. ✓

Watch out. A determiner comes before a noun: my bag, every child, a bag.

Worked example 3.7.3
Write a or an: ___ egg

Method. Choose a or an by the first sound of the next word.

  1. Look at the first sound of the word. The article depends on the first sound, not on the first letter.
    egg: The first sound is the vowel sound at the start of egg.
  2. Choose the article. Use an before a vowel sound, and a before a consonant sound.
    an egg
  3. Write the answer.
    an

Check. Read the phrase aloud: an egg. ✓

Watch out. Say a unicorn, not an unicorn. Say an hour, not a hour.

Watch out

Watch out: the letter is not the rule, the sound is. Say an hour, not a hour, because the h in hour is silent. Say a unicorn, not an unicorn, because unicorn starts with a y sound, as in you.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Make a list of words that start with a vowel sound and words that start with a consonant sound. Say each one with a or an in front. Ask your child to explain what the first sound is.

Exercise 3G  Practice: determiners and a or an

1
FWrite the word class of each bold word.
(a)What word class is my in: This kite is my favourite toy.
(b)What word class is Those in: Those oranges are sweet.
(c)What word class is his in: Ben lost his coat.
(d)What word class is Some in: Some children stayed in the hall.
2
FWrite the determiners in each sentence.
(a)Write the determiners in: Every child brought a packed lunch.
(b)Write the determiners in: Their dog barked at an odd noise.
(c)Write the determiners in: Each pupil needs a pencil.
(d)Write the determiners in: An elephant is a huge animal.
3
FWrite a or an before each word.
(a)Write a or an: ___ unicorn
(b)Write a or an: ___ hour
(c)Write a or an: ___ owl
(d)Write a or an: ___ horse
4
FWrite a or an before each word.
(a)Write a or an: ___ university
(b)Write a or an: ___ umbrella
(c)Write a or an: ___ European
(d)Write a or an: ___ idea
5
FCorrect this phrase: an unicorn. Write it correctly.
6
PSMia writes a hour. Write the phrase correctly.
7
PSWrite the determiner in this sentence: It was an honest mistake. Explain why it is a determiner.
8
PSSort these words. Which words are determiners? this, those, my, happy, every
9
RBen says that a is used before hour, because hour starts with h. Is he right? Explain.
10
RWrite one sentence with the determiner every and the determiner an. Any correct sentence, for example: Every child ate an apple.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
NounNames a person, place, thing, animal or idea. Test: can the go in front? Proper nouns start with a capital letter: Mia, London.
VerbShows an action or a state: jumps, was, have. Test: does it tell what someone does, is or has? Verbs can change to show time.
AdjectiveDescribes a noun: tall, green, sleepy. Test: can very go in front?
AdverbTells how, when, where or how often: quickly, yesterday, here, always. Test: does it answer how?, when?, where? or how often?
PronounTakes the place of a noun: he, them, it, mine. Test: can a noun replace it?
PrepositionShows where, when or how things are related: under, behind, during, into. Test: is it followed by a noun or pronoun?
ConjunctionJoins words, phrases or sentences: and, but, or, so, because, although. Test: does it join two parts?
DeterminerComes before a noun and says which one or how many: the, a, an, my, those, every. Test: does a noun follow?
a or anUse an before a vowel sound (an hour, an egg); use a before a consonant sound (a unicorn, a dog). Choose by the first sound.

Can you…?

  • I can name the word class of a noun, a verb, an adjective and an adverb
  • I can name the word class of a pronoun, a preposition, a conjunction and a determiner
  • I can use a simple test to check the word class of a word in its sentence
  • I can tell that the same word can have different word classes in different sentences
  • I can choose a or an by the first sound of the next word
  • I can find the word class of each word in a sentence

Key terms

word class
the job a word does in a sentence, such as noun, verb or adjective
noun
a naming word for a person, place, thing, animal or idea
proper noun
the name of a particular person or place, which starts with a capital letter, such as Mia or London
verb
a doing or being word, which tells what someone or something does, is or has
adjective
a describing word, which tells more about a noun, such as tall
adverb
a word that tells how, when, where or how often, such as quickly or here
pronoun
a word that takes the place of a noun, such as he, them or mine
preposition
a word that shows where, when or how things are related, such as under or during
conjunction
a joining word that connects two words, phrases or sentences, such as and, but or because
determiner
a word that comes before a noun and says which one or how many, such as the, a, my or every
vowel sound
the sound at the start of up, egg, on, eye or owl; a and an depend on it

Exercise 3Z  Check-up

1
Write the proper noun that names a place in this sentence: Mia visited London with her mum.
2
What word class is barked in: Yesterday the dog barked at the postman.
3
Replace the bold words with a pronoun: The dog is hungry.
4
Write the determiner in this sentence: Ben lost his coat.
5
Write a or an: ___ honest answer.
6
Write the conjunction in this sentence: We can play outside, but it is raining.
7
Which adverb tells when? Yesterday the dog barked at the postman.
8
Write the preposition in this sentence: The rabbit hopped across the lawn.
9
Ella says that again is an adjective in The sleepy cat yawned again, because it describes the cat. Is she right? Explain.
10
Explain why mine is a pronoun in The bag is mine, but my is a determiner in my bag.

Total 21 marks. Allow about 21 minutes.

Exercise 3X  Practice test questions

1
FWhat word class is carefully in: Ben always walks carefully.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the adjective in this sentence: The sleepy cat yawned again.[1 mark]
3
FWrite the verb in this sentence: The bird flew over the fence.[1 mark]
4
FWrite the pronoun in this sentence: Give the ball to him.[2 marks]
5
FWhat word class is big in: The university is in a big city.[2 marks]
6
PSWrite a or an before each word: ___ uniform, and ___ egg.[2 marks]
7
PSWrite one sentence with a pronoun, a determiner and a preposition. Any correct sentence, for example: He put his bag under the bench.[3 marks]
8
PSWrite the word class of each word: happily, Mia, she, although.[3 marks]
9
RBen says that so in It was late, so we ran is an adverb, because it tells us when. Is he right? Explain.[3 marks]
10
RGive the word class of each word in this sentence: Mia quickly ate her lunch.[3 marks]
← Chapter 2: Prefixes and suffixesChapter 4: Clauses and sentences →

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