Year 4 English: Sentence types and fronted adverbials with commas
Part of the Year 4 English writing stories chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Sentence types and fronted adverbials with commas
A fronted adverbial is a word or phrase at the start of a sentence that tells the reader when, where or how. When it comes first, put a comma after it. A fronted adverbial can be one word (Suddenly,), a phrase (On the first night,) or a subordinate clause that starts with a word such as because, although, when, before or if (Because the rain was heavy,). A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. A sentence can also join two clauses with and, but or so.
Read the text in the box, then answer the questions in exercise 11D.
Trouble at the Campsite
On the first night, the campers ate their supper by torchlight. Suddenly, a gust of wind shook the tent. Although Samir had pegged the ropes tightly, one corner began to lift. Quickly, he called his sister, Bea. Because the rain was heavy, they held the poles together until the storm passed. In the morning, the sun came out and the campers laughed about their adventure.
Key ideas
- A fronted adverbial tells the reader when, where or how, and it comes first.
- Put a comma after a fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence.
- A subordinate clause at the start, such as Because the rain was heavy, also takes a comma after it.
- Vary the start of your sentences: use an adverbial, a subject, or a clause.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put a comma after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial. Suddenly tells the reader how the wind came, and it comes first.Suddenly
- Put a comma after it. A comma marks the end of the opening words.Suddenly,
- Check the main clause. The main clause starts with a gust of wind.a gust of wind shook the tent
- Write the answer. Suddenly, a gust of wind shook the tent.
Check. The comma follows the fronted adverbial. ✓
Method. A clause that gives a reason can come first, with a comma after it.
- Find the reason clause. Because it was late gives the reason for running home.because it was late
- Move it to the front. Put it at the start, with a capital letter for Because.Because it was late
- Add the comma. A comma goes after the clause, before the main clause.Because it was late, we ran home.
- Write the answer. Because it was late, we ran home.
Check. The reason comes first, with a comma after it. ✓
Method. Look for the first word of the sentence, then check that it starts a clause.
- Find the first word. The sentence starts with Although.Although
- Check the type of word. Although is a conjunction, and it joins a clause that gives a contrast.a conjunction
- Find where the clause ends. The clause ends at the comma after tightly.tightly,
- Write the answer. Although
Check. Although starts the clause at the front. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: when a subordinate clause comes first, the comma goes after the whole clause, not after its first word.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to start three sentences of their next story with a fronted adverbial. Ask them to read each sentence aloud, pausing at the comma.
Exercise 11D Practice: sentence types and fronted adverbials
Method. Find the detail that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.On the first night, the campers ate their supper
- Check that the detail is stated, not guessed. It tells the reader when the supper happens.On the first night
- Write the answer. On the first night
Check. The text states this detail. ✓
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put a comma after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. Suddenly tells the reader how the wind came, and it comes first.Suddenly
- Put a comma after it, before the main clause. The comma shows where the opening words end.Suddenly, a gust of wind shook the tent.
- Write the answer. Suddenly, a gust of wind shook the tent.
Check. The comma comes after the opening words. ✓
Method. Find the detail that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.Although Samir had pegged the ropes tightly, one corner
- Check that the detail is stated, not guessed. The clause starts with although and ends at the comma.Although Samir had pegged the ropes tightly
- Write the answer. Although Samir had pegged the ropes tightly
Check. The text states this detail. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the text or the story.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the story or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Because introduces the reason that the poles were held together.Because fits
- Reject the other choices. Suddenly and quickly describe how or when something happens, not why it happens.Suddenly and Quickly do not fit
- Write the answer. Because
Check. The choice fits the text or the story. ✓
Method. Move the clause that gives the reason to the front, and add a comma.
- Find the reason clause. Because the rain was heavy gives the reason.because the rain was heavy
- Move it to the front. Start the sentence with Because, a capital letter.Because the rain was heavy
- Add the comma and the main clause. A comma follows the clause, then the main clause continues.Because the rain was heavy, they held the poles together.
- Write the answer. Because the rain was heavy, they held the poles together.
Check. The reason clause comes first, with a comma after it. ✓
Method. Join the two clauses with but, and put a comma before it.
- Find the two clauses. The tent shook and the campers stayed calm.the tent shook; the campers stayed calm
- Join them with but. But shows a contrast between the two clauses, with a comma before it.The tent shook, but the campers stayed calm.
- Write the answer. The tent shook, but the campers stayed calm.
Check. The two clauses are joined with but and a comma. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the text or the story.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the story or the text needs.
- Test the choice. It tells someone to do something, so it is a command.a command fits
- Reject the other choices. A statement gives information, a question asks one, and an exclamation shows strong feeling; this sentence does none of those.a statement, a question and an exclamation do not fit
- Write the answer. a command
Check. The choice fits the text or the story. ✓
Method. Find the sentence about calling the sister.
- Find the words. The text says Quickly, he called his sister.Quickly, he called his sister
- Write the answer. Quickly
Check. Quickly tells the reader how he called. ✓
Method. Find the sentence about the sun.
- Find the words. The text says In the morning, the sun came out.In the morning, the sun came out
- Write the answer. In the morning
Check. In the morning tells the reader when. ✓
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put a comma after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. Before the sun rose is a clause that tells the reader when, and it comes first.Before the sun rose
- Put a comma after it, before the main clause. The comma shows where the opening words end.Before the sun rose, the campers were awake.
- Write the answer. Before the sun rose, the campers were awake.
Check. The comma comes after the opening words. ✓
Method. Think about what the comma does for the reader.
- Think about the opening words. The opening words tell the reader when, where or how.when, where or how
- Think about the comma. The comma shows that the main clause is about to start.the main clause starts
- Write the answer. it shows where the opening words end and the main clause begins.
Check. The comma marks the boundary. ✓
Method. Choose a place phrase, then add the main clause.
- Choose a place phrase. At the top of the hill tells the reader where.At the top of the hill,
- Add the main clause. The campers stopped to rest is the main clause.the campers stopped to rest
- Write the answer. At the top of the hill, the campers stopped to rest.
Check. The place phrase is followed by a comma. ✓