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Primary English · Year 3Chapter 4 · Clauses and sentences
Year 3 · Chapter 4

Clauses and sentences

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Find the verb in each clause and count the clauses in a sentence
  • Say which words make the main clause and which words make the subordinate clause
  • Choose a conjunction that shows time (when, before, after, while), a reason (because), a contrast (although) or a condition (if)
  • Use so to join two main clauses, and therefore to show a result
  • Move a subordinate clause to the start of a sentence and keep the same meaning

You should already know

  • Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs (Year 2 and Chapter 3)
  • The joining words and, but, or, because, when and if (Year 2)
  • Prepositions and determiners (Chapter 3)

Where this leads

  • Commas after fronted adverbials and in lists (Chapter 5)
  • Direct speech and inverted commas (Chapter 5)
  • Paragraphs, and the present perfect form of verbs (Chapter 6)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 3. Content: Find a clause, a group of words with a verb in it, and count the clauses in a sentence, Tell a main clause, which makes sense on its own, from a subordinate clause, which depends on it, Join a subordinate clause to a main clause with when, before, after, while, because, although and if, Join two main clauses with so, and, but or or, Use adverbs for time and cause: then, next, soon, later, finally and therefore, Use fronted adverbials, and move a subordinate clause to the start of a sentence.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the conjunction in this sentence: Ben and Mia ran home.
2
FWrite the word that means not happy, using the prefix un-.
3
FChoose there or their: The children left ___ bags by the door.
4
FWrite a or an: ___ owl sat in the tree.
5
FReplace the bold words with a pronoun: The children are happy.
4.1

Clauses: groups of words with a verb

Year 3
Name a clause as a group of words with a verb in it, Count the clauses in a sentence by counting its verbs
Video lesson: Clauses: groups of words with a verbComing soon
Story. Ravi and Priya go to the park after school. Ravi runs to the swings, and Priya finds a ball under the bench. They play until it is time for tea.

A clause is a group of words that has a verb in it. Most clauses also have a subject: the person or thing that does the action. In Ravi runs, the verb is runs, and the subject is Ravi.

A sentence can have one clause or more than one. Each clause has its own verb. Ravi runs, and Priya jumps has two verbs, so it has two clauses.

A group of words with no verb is not a clause. Under the bench tells us where the ball is, but it has no verb.

Ravi runs,main clauseandjoining conjunctionPriya jumps.main clause
Two clauses joined by and. Each clause has its own verb: runs and jumps.

Key ideas

  • A clause is a group of words with a verb in it.
  • Count the verbs to count the clauses in a sentence.
  • A subject is the person or thing that does the action.
  • A group of words with no verb, such as under the bench, is not a clause.
Worked example 4.1.1
How many clauses are in this sentence? Our kite flew high, and the wind was strong.

Method. Count the verbs. Each clause has one verb.

  1. Find each verb. Each clause has one verb, so the verbs show the clauses.
    flew, was
  2. Count the clauses. 2 verbs means 2 clauses.
    2
  3. Write the answer.
    2

Check. The verbs in the sentence are flew, was. ✓

Watch out. A group of words with no verb, such as under the bench, is not a clause.

Worked example 4.1.2
Ali says this sentence has 1 clause. Is Ali right? Explain. Priya finds a ball under the bench.

Method. Count the verbs. Each clause has one verb.

  1. Find each verb. Each clause has one verb, so the verbs show how many clauses there are.
    finds
  2. Count the clauses. There is 1 verb.
    1 clause
  3. Write the answer.
    Yes. It has 1 clause, because it has 1 verb: finds.

Check. Ali is right. ✓

Watch out. A group of words with no verb is not a clause.

Worked example 4.1.3
How many clauses are in this sentence? The children ran to the swings after school.

Method. Count the verbs. Each clause has one verb.

  1. Find each verb. Each clause has one verb, so the verbs show the clauses.
    ran
  2. Count the clauses. 1 verb means 1 clause.
    1
  3. Write the answer.
    1

Check. The verbs in the sentence are ran. ✓

Watch out. A group of words with no verb, such as under the bench, is not a clause.

Watch out

Watch out: Mia and Ben swim has two names but only one verb, so it is one clause. Count verbs, not names. The word and joins two names here, not two clauses.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say a sentence, then point to each verb. Each verb means one clause. Then ask: is there a group of words with no verb? That group is not a clause.

Exercise 4A  Practice: finding clauses

1
FHow many clauses are in this sentence? Ravi runs to the park.
2
FHow many clauses are in this sentence? Ravi runs, and Priya jumps.
3
FWrite the verbs in this sentence: Priya finds a ball under the bench.
4
FWrite the verbs in this sentence: The children ran to the swings after school.
5
FHow many clauses are in this sentence? The sun was warm and the grass was dry.
6
PSIs under the bench a clause? It is part of this sentence: Priya finds a ball under the bench. Explain.
7
PSHow many clauses are in this sentence? Mia and Ben swim every Tuesday.
8
PSHow many clauses are in this sentence? Leo stopped, and he laughed.
9
PSWrite the verbs in this sentence: Our kite flew high, and the wind was strong.
10
RAli says this sentence has 1 clause. Is Ali right? Explain. The bench is green and the sun is hot.
11
RWrite one sentence with two clauses. Each clause needs its own verb. Any correct sentence, for example: Ali sings and Ben dances.
4.2

Main clauses and subordinate clauses

Year 3
Tell a main clause, which makes sense on its own, from a subordinate clause, which depends on a main clause, Join a subordinate clause to a main clause with a conjunction, and move it to the start of a sentence
Video lesson: Main clauses and subordinate clausesComing soon
Story. Mia is tired after the school trip. She goes to bed early, because she wants to feel well for football. Her dad reads her a story when she is in bed.

A sentence can have a main clause and a subordinate clause. The main clause makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence by itself: We stayed inside.

The subordinate clause adds extra information, such as why or when something happened. It depends on the main clause. Because it rained does not make complete sense on its own.

A conjunction joins the subordinate clause to the main clause: We stayed inside because it rained.

The subordinate clause can also come first: Because it rained, we stayed inside. The meaning is the same. When it comes first, put a comma after it. You will practise commas in Chapter 5.

We stayed insidemain clausebecause it rained.subordinate clause
The main clause makes sense alone. The subordinate clause starts with the conjunction because.

Key ideas

  • A main clause makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence.
  • A subordinate clause adds information, but it needs a main clause.
  • The conjunction starts the subordinate clause and joins it to the main clause.
  • The subordinate clause can come first or last. The meaning stays the same.
Worked example 4.2.1
Write the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ali was happy when Sam arrived.

Method. Find the words that make the subordinate clause.

  1. Find the verbs. Each clause has one verb. A fronted adverbial has none.
    was, arrived
  2. Find the words in the subordinate clause. A subordinate clause starts with a conjunction such as when or because. It needs a main clause and does not make sense alone.
    Ali was happy when Sam arrived.
  3. Write the answer.
    when Sam arrived

Check. Read the subordinate clause aloud: it has only the words above. ✓

Watch out. The subordinate clause starts with its conjunction, such as when, because or although.

Worked example 4.2.2
Is the group of words she went to bed a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? Mia was tired, so she went to bed.

Method. Look for the verb, then test whether the group can stand alone.

  1. Find the verb in the group of words. A clause has a verb.
    went
  2. Test: can it stand alone as a sentence? A main clause makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence on its own.
    Mia was tired, so she went to bed.
  3. Write the answer.
    main clause

Check. The group of words is a main clause. ✓

Watch out. A main clause can stand alone, with a capital letter at the start and a full stop at the end.

Worked example 4.2.3
Write the main clause in this sentence: Ella smiled because her friend came.

Method. Find the words that make the main clause.

  1. Find the verbs. Each clause has one verb. A fronted adverbial has none.
    smiled, came
  2. Find the words in the main clause. A main clause makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence on its own.
    Ella smiled because her friend came.
  3. Write the answer.
    Ella smiled

Check. Read the main clause aloud: it has only the words above. ✓

Watch out. A main clause can stand alone, with a capital letter at the start and a full stop at the end.

Watch out

Watch out: because it rained has a verb, but it cannot be a sentence on its own. It needs a main clause to complete the meaning. A group of words with a verb can still be a subordinate clause, not a sentence.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child: can this part stand alone as a sentence? If not, it is a subordinate clause. Then ask which conjunction joins it to the main part.

Exercise 4B  Practice: main and subordinate clauses

1
FWrite the main clause in this sentence: We stayed inside because it rained.
2
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: We stayed inside because it rained.
3
FWrite the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ali was happy when Sam arrived.
4
FWrite the conjunction that joins two main clauses in this sentence: Mia was tired, so she went to bed.
5
FIs the group of words The bus was late a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? The bus was late because the driver was ill.
6
FIs the group of words if he reads a book a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? Tom gets a sticker if he reads a book.
7
PSWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: Because it rained, we stayed inside.
8
PSWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: We went to the park although it was cold.
9
PSWrite the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ella smiled because her friend came.
10
RSam says that Because it was cold is a sentence, because it has a verb. Is he right? Explain.
11
RWrite one sentence with a main clause and a subordinate clause joined by because. Any correct sentence, for example: We walked home because it was late.
4.3

Conjunctions for time: when, before, after and while

Year 3
Use when, before, after and while to join a subordinate clause to a main clause, Tell a time conjunction from a preposition such as after lunch
Video lesson: Conjunctions for time: when, before, after and whileComing soon
Story. Ali and his gran bake biscuits. They wash their hands before they start. While the biscuits cook, Ali tidies the kitchen. After they eat, they wash the bowls.

Some conjunctions tell us when something happens. They start a subordinate clause, and that clause goes with a main clause.

ConjunctionMeaningExample
whenat the time thatBen waved when the bus arrived.
beforeearlier thanWe ate lunch before we played outside.
afterlater thanWe washed the cups after we ate.
whileduring the time thatMia read her book while Dad cooked dinner.

After and before can also be prepositions, when a noun follows them: after lunch, before school. What follows the word decides its class. If a noun follows, the word is a preposition. If a clause with a verb follows, the word is a conjunction.

We ate lunchmain clausebefore we played outside.subordinate clause
Before starts the subordinate clause before we played outside, and it tells us when lunch happened.

Key ideas

  • When, before, after and while tell us the time.
  • They start a subordinate clause, which needs a main clause.
  • Before and after are prepositions when a noun follows: before school, after lunch.
  • Before and after are conjunctions when a clause with a verb follows: before we left.
Worked example 4.3.1
Write the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ali felt happy when he won the race.

Method. Find the words that make the subordinate clause.

  1. Find the verbs. Each clause has one verb. A fronted adverbial has none.
    felt, won
  2. Find the words in the subordinate clause. A subordinate clause starts with a conjunction such as when or because. It needs a main clause and does not make sense alone.
    Ali felt happy when he won the race.
  3. Write the answer.
    when he won the race

Check. Read the subordinate clause aloud: it has only the words above. ✓

Watch out. The subordinate clause starts with its conjunction, such as when, because or although.

Worked example 4.3.2
What word class is After in this sentence? After lunch, we played outside.

Method. Find the job of After in the sentence.

  1. Read the word in its sentence. Look at its job in the sentence, not only at its spelling.
    After lunch, we played outside.
  2. Test the word. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun, such as after lunch.
    After is a preposition here
  3. Write the answer.
    preposition

Check. After does the job of a preposition here. ✓

Watch out. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun.

Worked example 4.3.3
Write the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: We ate lunch before we played outside.

Method. Find the conjunction that joins the clauses.

  1. Find the verbs, one for each clause. Each clause has its own verb.
    ate, played
  2. Find the joining word. It starts the subordinate clause and joins it to the main clause.
    We ate lunch before we played outside.
  3. Write the answer.
    before

Check. before sits between the two parts. ✓

Watch out. The clause that starts with this word cannot stand alone.

Watch out

Watch out: after lunch has no verb, so after is a preposition. after we ate has a verb, so after is a conjunction. The same word can have two different word classes.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to finish these: We wash our hands ___ we eat. Ask which word tells the time, and whether a noun or a clause follows it.

Exercise 4C  Practice: time conjunctions

1
FWrite the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ben waved when the bus arrived.
2
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: Mia read her book while Dad cooked dinner.
3
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: The dog slept while we ate.
4
FWhat word class is after in this sentence? We walk to school after breakfast.
5
FChoose the right conjunction: Ella brushed her teeth ___ she went to bed. Write the word that means earlier than.
6
FFill the gap with when: Mia waved ___ her dad arrived.
7
PSWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: After the bell rang, the children lined up.
8
PSWhat word class is Before in this sentence? Before school, we read a story.
9
PSMove the subordinate clause to the start of this sentence, and write the new sentence: We washed the cups after we ate.
10
RAli says that After is always a preposition. Is he right? Explain, using After the bell rang, the children lined up.
11
RWrite two sentences: one with after as a preposition, and one with after as a conjunction. Any correct answer, for example: We play after lunch. and We play after we eat.
4.4

Conjunctions for reason and condition: because, so, although and if

Year 3
Use because for a reason, although for a contrast, and if for a condition, Use so to join two main clauses, the reason and the result
Video lesson: Conjunctions for reason and condition: because, so, although and ifComing soon
Story. It is a windy day at the seaside. Sam wants to fly his kite, but the wind is too strong. Although Ella is cold, she runs on the sand. If the wind drops, they will fly the kite together.

Some conjunctions show a reason, a contrast or a condition. Each one joins a subordinate clause to a main clause, except so, which joins two main clauses.

ConjunctionWhat it showsExample
becausea reasonMia was late because her bus broke down.
althougha surprising contrastWe went out although it was cold.
ifa condition: what must happen firstElla gets wet if she runs in the rain.
soa result: joins two main clausesIt rained, so we stayed inside.
It rained,main clausesojoining conjunctionwe stayed inside.main clause
So joins two main clauses. Each part could be a sentence on its own.

Key ideas

  • Because gives a reason.
  • Although shows a surprising contrast: the cold did not stop us.
  • If shows a condition: something must happen first.
  • So joins two main clauses: the reason, then the result.
Worked example 4.4.1
Write the conjunction that joins two main clauses in this sentence: The shop was full, so we went to the park.

Method. Find the conjunction that joins the clauses.

  1. Find the verbs, one for each clause. Each clause has its own verb.
    was, went
  2. Find the joining word. It sits between two main clauses, and each part makes sense on its own.
    The shop was full, so we went to the park.
  3. Write the answer.
    so

Check. so sits between the two parts. ✓

Watch out. Each side of this word could be a sentence on its own.

Worked example 4.4.2
Write the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ben stayed in because it was cold.

Method. Find the words that make the subordinate clause.

  1. Find the verbs. Each clause has one verb. A fronted adverbial has none.
    stayed, was
  2. Find the words in the subordinate clause. A subordinate clause starts with a conjunction such as when or because. It needs a main clause and does not make sense alone.
    Ben stayed in because it was cold.
  3. Write the answer.
    because it was cold

Check. Read the subordinate clause aloud: it has only the words above. ✓

Watch out. The subordinate clause starts with its conjunction, such as when, because or although.

Worked example 4.4.3
Is the group of words It rained a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? It rained, so we stayed inside.

Method. Look for the verb, then test whether the group can stand alone.

  1. Find the verb in the group of words. A clause has a verb.
    rained
  2. Test: can it stand alone as a sentence? A main clause makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence on its own.
    It rained, so we stayed inside.
  3. Write the answer.
    main clause

Check. The group of words is a main clause. ✓

Watch out. A main clause can stand alone, with a capital letter at the start and a full stop at the end.

Watch out

Watch out: so and because are not the same. In It rained, so we stayed inside, the reason comes first and so introduces the result. In We stayed inside because it rained, the result comes first and because introduces the reason.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child what happened and why. Say the answer with because, then with so. Ask which part is the reason and which part is the result.

Exercise 4D  Practice: reason, contrast and condition

1
FWrite the conjunction that joins two main clauses in this sentence: It rained, so we stayed inside.
2
FWrite the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: Mia was late because her bus broke down.
3
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: Mia was late because her bus broke down.
4
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ella gets wet if she runs in the rain.
5
FWhat word class is so in this sentence? It rained, so we stayed inside.
6
PSFill the gap with so or because: The shop was full, ___ we went to the park. Choose the word that shows the result.
7
PSFill the gap with because: Ben stayed in ___ it was cold.
8
PSWrite the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: We went out although it was cold.
9
PSWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: Although the path was wet, Ella ran to school.
10
RAli says that so and because mean the same thing. Is he right? Explain.
11
RWrite one sentence with although, a main clause and a subordinate clause. Any correct sentence, for example: Sam went swimming although it was windy.
4.5

Adverbs for time and cause: then, next, soon and therefore

Year 3
Use adverbs such as then, next, soon, later and finally to show when something happens, Use therefore to show the result of something, with a full stop before it
Video lesson: Adverbs for time and cause: then, next, soon and thereforeComing soon
Story. The class has a busy afternoon. Next, they clean the paint pots. Soon, the rain stops and they go outside. Later, Ben reads a book in the hall. Finally, everyone goes home.

An adverb can show time. Then, next, soon, later and finally all tell us when something happens. They can start a sentence, followed by a comma.

An adverb can also show a result. Therefore means "for this reason". It is an adverb, not a conjunction, so it needs a full stop before it: It rained for a day. Therefore, we stayed at home.

AdverbWhat it showsExample
thentime: what happens nextThen we played outside.
nexttime: the next step in orderNext, we cleaned the paint pots.
soontime: a short while from nowSoon, the rain stopped.
latertime: after some time has passedLater, Ben read a book.
thereforecause: the result of somethingIt was very cold. Therefore, we wore hats.
Therefore,fronted adverbialwe stayed at home.main clause
Therefore is a fronted adverbial. It shows the result of the sentence before it.

Key ideas

  • Then, next, soon, later and finally tell us when something happens.
  • Therefore tells us the result of something.
  • Therefore is an adverb, so it needs a full stop (or a semicolon) before it.
  • So is a conjunction: it joins two parts in one sentence.
Worked example 4.5.1
Write the adverbs in this sentence: Therefore, we stayed at home.

Method. Find each word that is an adverb.

  1. Read each word in its sentence. Check the job of each word, not only its spelling.
    Therefore, we stayed at home.
  2. Pick out the adverbs. An adverb tells how, when, where or how often something happens.
    Therefore
  3. Write the answer.
    Therefore

Check. Each word in the answer is an adverb. ✓

Watch out. Many adverbs end in ly, but then, next and soon do not.

Worked example 4.5.2
What word class is so in this sentence? The path was icy, so we walked slowly.

Method. Find the job of so in the sentence.

  1. Read the word in its sentence. Look at its job in the sentence, not only at its spelling.
    The path was icy, so we walked slowly.
  2. Test the word. A conjunction joins two words, phrases or clauses.
    so is a conjunction here
  3. Write the answer.
    conjunction

Check. so does the job of a conjunction here. ✓

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

Worked example 4.5.3
Write the fronted adverbial in this sentence: Finally, the class went to the hall.

Method. Find the words that make the fronted adverbial.

  1. Find the verbs. Each clause has one verb. A fronted adverbial has none.
    went
  2. Find the words in the fronted adverbial. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence and tells when, where or why. It has no verb in it.
    Finally, the class went to the hall.
  3. Write the answer.
    Finally

Check. Read the fronted adverbial aloud: it has only the words above. ✓

Watch out. A fronted adverbial has no verb. A clause with a verb is different.

Watch out

Watch out: therefore needs a full stop before it: It rained. Therefore, we stayed at home. If the two parts are in one sentence, use so: It rained, so we stayed at home.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Read a short list of events with your child. Ask which adverb tells the order: then, next, finally. Then ask what caused the result, and say it with therefore.

Exercise 4E  Practice: adverbs of time and cause

1
FWrite the adverbs in this sentence: Then we played outside.
2
FWrite the adverbs in this sentence: Soon, the rain stopped.
3
FWrite the adverbs in this sentence: Next, we cleaned the paint pots.
4
FWrite the adverbs in this sentence: Later, Ben read a book.
5
FFill the gap with the adverb that shows the last thing in a list of events: We ate, we washed up, ___ we went home. Choose from first, next or finally.
6
PSFill the gap: It rained for a day. ___, we stayed at home. Write the adverb that shows the result.
7
PSChoose then or therefore: It was very cold. ___, we wore our hats.
8
PSWrite the adverbs in this sentence: The path was icy, so we walked slowly.
9
PSChoose the adverb of cause: then, therefore or soon.
10
RBen says that It rained, therefore we stayed at home is correct. Is he right? Explain.
11
RWrite two sentences: one with then for time, and one with therefore for a result. Any correct answer, for example: We ate lunch. Then we played outside. and It was cold. Therefore, we wore hats.
4.6

Fronted adverbials and moving clauses

Year 3
Name a fronted adverbial, which comes at the start of a sentence and tells when, where or why, Tell a phrase with no verb from a clause with a verb, and move a clause to the front
Video lesson: Fronted adverbials and moving clausesComing soon
Story. It is a sunny morning, and the school trip is ready. In the morning, the sun is bright. Carefully, Ali carries the tray of juice. When the bell rings, the children climb on the bus.

A fronted adverbial comes at the start of a sentence, and it tells us when, where or why. It can be a word, a phrase or a clause:

KindExampleHas a verb?
one wordCarefully, Ali carried the tray.no
a phraseAfter lunch, we played football.no
a subordinate clauseWhen the bell rang, the children ran in.yes: rang

A fronted adverbial with no verb is a phrase. A subordinate clause has a verb, so it is a clause. Clauses can move: We went to the park because it was sunny. means the same as Because it was sunny, we went to the park.

When the bell rang,subordinate clausethe children ran in.main clause
A subordinate clause at the start. It has a verb, rang, so it is a clause.

Key ideas

  • A fronted adverbial comes first and tells when, where or why.
  • It can be a word, a phrase or a clause.
  • A phrase has no verb: after lunch, because of the rain.
  • A clause has a verb: because it was sunny, when the bell rang.
  • Put a comma after it. Chapter 5 practises commas in more detail.
Worked example 4.6.1
Move the subordinate clause to the start of this sentence, and write the new sentence: We stayed inside because it rained.

Method. Move the subordinate clause to the front, and keep the same meaning.

  1. Find the subordinate clause. A subordinate clause starts with a conjunction such as when or because. It needs a main clause and does not make sense alone.
    We stayed inside because it rained.
  2. Find the main clause. A main clause makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence on its own.
    We stayed inside because it rained.
  3. Move the subordinate clause to the front. The meaning stays the same. Start with a capital letter and put a comma after the clause.
    Because it rained, we stayed inside.
  4. Write the answer.
    Because it rained, we stayed inside.

Check. The new sentence means the same as the old one. ✓

Watch out. Only the order changes. The clause still starts with its conjunction.

Worked example 4.6.2
What word class is Because in this sentence? Because of the rain, we stayed at home.

Method. Find the job of Because in the sentence.

  1. Read the word in its sentence. Look at its job in the sentence, not only at its spelling.
    Because of the rain, we stayed at home.
  2. Test the word. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun, such as after lunch.
    Because is a preposition here
  3. Write the answer.
    preposition

Check. Because does the job of a preposition here. ✓

Watch out. A preposition is followed by a noun or a pronoun.

Worked example 4.6.3
Is the group of words When the bell rang a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? When the bell rang, the children ran in.

Method. Look for the verb, then test whether the group can stand alone.

  1. Find the verb in the group of words. A clause has a verb.
    rang
  2. Test: can it stand alone as a sentence? A subordinate clause starts with a conjunction such as when or because. It needs a main clause and does not make sense alone.
    When the bell rang, the children ran in.
  3. Write the answer.
    subordinate clause

Check. The group of words is a subordinate clause. ✓

Watch out. The subordinate clause starts with its conjunction, such as when, because or although.

Watch out

Watch out: because of the rain has no verb, so it is a phrase. because it rained has a verb, so it is a clause. The first word is the same, but the job is different.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Say a sentence with the time or reason at the start: After lunch, we played football. Then ask your child to move it to the end. Check that the meaning stays the same.

Exercise 4F  Practice: fronted adverbials

1
FWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: In the morning, the sun was bright.
2
FWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: Carefully, Ali carried the tray.
3
FWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: After lunch, we played football.
4
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: When the bell rang, the children ran in.
5
FIs after lunch a clause or a phrase? It is the start of this sentence: After lunch, we played football. Explain.
6
FWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: Because of the rain, we stayed at home.
7
PSMove the subordinate clause to the start of this sentence, and write the new sentence: Mia was late because her bus broke down.
8
PSMove the subordinate clause to the start of this sentence, and write the new sentence: We went to the park because it was sunny.
9
PSWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: Before school, we read a story.
10
RBen says that Because of the rain has a verb, so it is a subordinate clause. Is he right? Explain.
11
RWrite a sentence that starts with a fronted adverbial of time. Any correct sentence, for example: In the afternoon, we played in the park.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
ClauseA group of words with a verb in it. Count the verbs to count the clauses.
Main clauseMakes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence: We stayed inside.
Subordinate clauseDepends on a main clause and cannot stand alone: because it rained. It starts with a conjunction.
Joining conjunctionand, but, or and so join two main clauses: It rained, so we stayed inside.
Time conjunctionswhen, before, after and while: Ben waved when the bus arrived. After and before are prepositions when a noun follows.
Reason, contrast and conditionbecause, although and if: Ella gets wet if she runs in the rain.
Adverbs of time and causethen, next, soon, later, finally and therefore. Therefore needs a full stop before it.
Fronted adverbialComes first and tells when, where or why. It can be a word (Carefully), a phrase with no verb (After lunch) or a clause with a verb (When the bell rang).

Can you…?

  • I can find the verb in a clause, and count the clauses in a sentence
  • I can tell a main clause from a subordinate clause
  • I can join a subordinate clause to a main clause with when, before, after, while, because, although or if
  • I can use so, and, but or or to join two main clauses
  • I can use then, next, soon, later, finally and therefore to show time and cause
  • I can move a subordinate clause to the start of a sentence, and keep the same meaning

Key terms

clause
a group of words with a verb in it; most clauses also have a subject
subject
the person or thing that does the action in a clause, such as Ravi in Ravi runs
main clause
a clause that makes sense on its own, so it could be a sentence
subordinate clause
a clause that adds information to a main clause and cannot stand alone, such as because it rained
conjunction
a joining word, such as and, because or when, that joins words, phrases or clauses
adverbial
a word, phrase or clause that tells when, where, how or why something happens
fronted adverbial
an adverbial at the start of a sentence, such as After lunch or When the bell rang
therefore
an adverb that shows the result of something; it needs a full stop before it

Exercise 4Z  Check-up

1
How many clauses are in this sentence? Sam was sad because his team lost.
2
Write the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ella smiled when the sun came out.
3
Write the subordinate clause in this sentence: Before we left, we tidied the room.
4
Write the conjunction that joins two main clauses in this sentence: The rain stopped, so we went outside.
5
What word class is while in this sentence? Dad cooks dinner while we set the table.
6
Write the fronted adverbial in this sentence: Soon, the bus came.
7
Move the subordinate clause to the start of this sentence, and write the new sentence: Sam was sad because his team lost.
8
Is the group of words he had a coat a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? Tom got wet, although he had a coat.
9
Write the conjunction that joins two main clauses in this sentence: Priya was cold, so she wore a coat.
10
Explain why Because it rained cannot be a sentence on its own, even though it has a verb.

Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.

Exercise 4X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the conjunction that starts the subordinate clause in this sentence: We stayed in because the snow was deep.[1 mark]
2
FHow many clauses are in this sentence? Priya laughed, and she sang.[1 mark]
3
FWrite the adverbs in this sentence: Next, we painted the fence.[1 mark]
4
FWrite the subordinate clause in this sentence: Ben was happy when his dad arrived.[2 marks]
5
FWrite the fronted adverbial in this sentence: Before school, we walked the dog.[2 marks]
6
PSMove the subordinate clause to the start of this sentence, and write the new sentence: Mum made tea because we were cold.[2 marks]
7
PSIs the group of words Sam read his book a main clause or a subordinate clause in this sentence? Although it was late, Sam read his book.[2 marks]
8
RBen writes two sentences: The bench is wet, so we sat on the wall. and We sat on the wall because the bench is wet. Explain how they are the same and how they are different.[3 marks]
9
RAli writes: It snowed a lot, therefore the school closed. Rewrite it correctly, using therefore as an adverb.[3 marks]
10
PSWrite two sentences. In one, use although to start a subordinate clause. In the other, use when. Any correct answer, for example: Although it rained, we played. Ella smiled when the sun came out.[3 marks]
← Chapter 3: Word classesChapter 5: Punctuation →

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