Fronted adverbials and connecting words
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence, and say whether it tells when, where or how
- Put a comma after the whole fronted adverbial, and no comma before an adverbial at the end of a sentence
- Name the connective in a sentence, and choose one that fits the meaning
- Tell a main clause, which makes sense alone, from a subordinate clause, which needs a main clause
- Link two sentences with a connecting word, and punctuate it with a full stop and a comma
- Explain why a comma is needed, and check a sentence for its marks one by one
You should already know
- Adverbs and prepositions, and the -ly adverb (Year 3, Chapter 3)
- Clauses and conjunctions: when, before, after, while, because, although, if (Year 3, Chapter 4)
- Commas after fronted adverbials (Year 3, Chapter 5)
- Possessive apostrophes and plurals (Chapter 4 of this book)
Where this leads
- Noun phrases, pronouns and standard verb forms (Chapter 7)
- Writing stories and non-fiction that use connectives for cohesion (Chapters 11 and 12)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 4. Content: Use fronted adverbials of time, place and manner, and know what each one tells the reader, Put a comma after a fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence, after the whole adverbial, Use conjunctions to join a subordinate clause to a main clause: when, before, after, while, because, although, if, Choose a connective that fits the meaning: time, reason, contrast or condition, Use connecting words that link one sentence to the next, with a full stop before and a comma after: however, meanwhile, therefore, as a result, Use the terms fronted adverbial, connective, clause (main and subordinate) and comma.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Show that the bag belongs to the girl.
- Find the owner. The bag belongs to the girl, so the owner is the girl.the girl
- Add the possessive. Add an apostrophe and s to show that the bag belongs to her.the girl's bag
- Write the answer. the girl's bag
Check. The apostrophe shows that the bag belongs to the girl. ✓
Watch out. Possession needs an apostrophe before the s when the owner is one person.
Method. Add the correct ending to a word that ends in x.
- Look at the word. Box ends in x, so the plural adds -es.box
- Add the ending. Add -es, so the plural is boxes.box + es
- Write the answer. boxes
Check. Boxes is more than one box. ✓
Watch out. Words ending in x add -es in the plural.
Method. A verb tells what someone or something does.
- Read the sentence. Find the word that tells what the dog did.The dog barked at the postman.
- Choose the verb. Barked tells what the dog did.barked
- Write the answer. barked
Check. Barked is the action word. ✓
Watch out. At the postman is a phrase, not a verb.
Method. A preposition shows where something is, in relation to another word.
- Read the sentence. Find the small word that links the cat and the mat.The cat sat on the mat.
- Choose the word. On shows where the cat sat, in relation to the mat.on
- Write the answer. on
Check. On is a preposition. ✓
Watch out. Other prepositions include in, under, behind and after.
Method. A noun names a person, place, thing or animal.
- Read the sentence. Find the word that names the animals.The farmer feeds the hens.
- Choose the noun. Hens names the animals that are fed.hens
- Write the answer. hens
Check. Hens is a plural noun. ✓
Watch out. Farmer names a person, not an animal.
What a fronted adverbial is
An adverbial tells us more about what happens in a sentence. It tells us when, where or how something happened.
A fronted adverbial is an adverbial at the start of a sentence. A comma comes after it, before the rest of the sentence.
A fronted adverbial can be one word (Suddenly), a phrase of several words (In the park), or a clause with its own verb (When the bell rang). Section 6.5 looks at clauses in more detail.
| Question it answers | Type | Fronted adverbial examples |
|---|---|---|
| When? | time | Yesterday, / After lunch, / Every Friday, |
| Where? | place | In the park, / Behind the shed, / Along the river, |
| How? | manner | Quietly, / With great care, / Like a cat, |
Key ideas
- An adverbial tells when, where or how something happens.
- A fronted adverbial is at the start of the sentence, and a comma comes after it.
- A fronted adverbial can be one word, a phrase or a clause.
- Ask when, where or how to decide which type of adverbial it is.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.At last the storm passed.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.At last,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.At last
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. At last
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.After lunch,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.When did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is when, so this adverbial tells when, which is a time.when = time
- Write the answer. when
Check. The word when answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.In the park the children sat on the bench.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.In the park,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.In the park
- Check its type. It answers the question about place, so it tells where.tells where
- Write the answer. In the park
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Watch out
Watch out: the fronted adverbial is the words before the comma, not the main clause after it. In Slowly, they walked past the pond. the fronted adverbial is Slowly, not they walked past the pond.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read the sentence aloud and ask your child: when, where or how? The answer to that question is the fronted adverbial, and it sits before the comma.
Exercise 6A Practice: finding fronted adverbials
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Suddenly the cat jumped onto the wall.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Suddenly,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Suddenly
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Suddenly
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.On Monday,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.When did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is when, so this adverbial tells when, which is a time.when = time
- Write the answer. when
Check. The word when answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.By the window,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.Where did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is where, so this adverbial tells where, which is a place.where = place
- Write the answer. where
Check. The word where answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.At full time the team cheered.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.At full time,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.At full time
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. At full time
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Gently the kitten climbed onto my lap.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Gently,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Gently
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Gently
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.At the top of the hill a windmill stands.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.At the top of the hill,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.At the top of the hill
- Check its type. It answers the question about place, so it tells where.tells where
- Write the answer. At the top of the hill
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Later that night the storm stopped.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Later that night,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Later that night
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Later that night
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Start with a place phrase, then a comma, then a main clause.
- Choose a place phrase. A phrase that tells where, such as in the hall.In the hall
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma comes after the whole phrase, then the main clause follows.In the hall, Ruby hung up her coat.
- Write the answer. In the hall, Ruby hung up her coat.
Check. The phrase tells where, and a comma follows it. ✓
Watch out. A place phrase at the start tells where, not when.
Method. Move the adverbial to the front, then add its comma.
- Find the adverbial at the end. quietly tells manner, so it can move to the front.quietly
- Move it to the start. A fronted adverbial starts the sentence, with a capital letter.Quietly
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma goes after the adverbial. The main clause keeps its words.Quietly, the cat crept along the wall.
- Write the answer. Quietly, the cat crept along the wall.
Check. Read it aloud: the adverbial, a pause, then the main clause. ✓
Watch out. When the adverbial moves to the front, its first letter needs a capital.
Method. The fronted adverbial is at the start, before the comma.
- Find the start of the sentence. The words at the start come before the comma.Every morning,
- Ask when. Every morning answers when Dad makes toast, so it is an adverbial.When? Every morning.
- Write the answer. Every morning
Check. Dad and makes toast are not adverbials at the start. ✓
Watch out. Dad is the subject, and makes toast is the verb with its object. Neither is at the start as an adverbial.
Method. Think about sentences that start in other ways.
- Look at a sentence. Dad makes toast starts with the person who does the action, not with an adverbial.Dad makes toast.
- Decide. Many sentences start with a subject, so a fronted adverbial is optional.optional
- Write the answer. No. A fronted adverbial is optional
Check. Many sentences start with a subject. ✓
Watch out. A fronted adverbial is one choice for the start of a sentence, not a rule for every sentence.
Method. Look at where the phrase sits.
- Find the phrase. In the garden tells where the hens sleep.in the garden
- Check the position. It is at the end of the sentence, so it is not fronted.at the end
- Write the answer. at the end of the sentence, so not fronted
Check. The phrase is at the end. ✓
Watch out. An adverbial at the end does not need a comma before it.
Method. Compare where the adverbial sits.
- Look at the first sentence. Quickly is at the start, followed by a comma. It is fronted.Quickly,
- Look at the second sentence. Quickly is at the end. It is not fronted.home quickly
- Write the answer. the first is fronted at the start; the second has it at the end
Check. Read both aloud. ✓
Watch out. The same word can be fronted or not, depending on where it sits.
Fronted adverbials of time and place
A time adverbial answers when. Examples are At dawn, After lunch, Every Saturday and Later that day.
A place adverbial answers where. Examples are In the kitchen, Behind the shed, Along the river path and Over the hill.
Many of these phrases start with a preposition, such as at, after, in, behind or along. Some do not, such as Every Saturday or Later that day. Use the question, not the first word, to decide the type.
| Type | Answers | Examples at the start of a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| time | When? | At dawn, the birds sing. / Later that day, the rain stopped. |
| place | Where? | In the kitchen, Mum bakes bread. / Over the hill, the sun rose. |
Key ideas
- A time adverbial answers the question when: at dawn, after lunch, every Saturday.
- A place adverbial answers the question where: in the kitchen, behind the shed, over the hill.
- Use the question the adverbial answers to decide its type.
- A time or place phrase at the start is followed by a comma.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.At noon,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.When did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is when, so this adverbial tells when, which is a time.when = time
- Write the answer. when
Check. The word when answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.Behind the shed,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.Where did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is where, so this adverbial tells where, which is a place.where = place
- Write the answer. where
Check. The word where answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Later that day the rain stopped.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Later that day,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Later that day
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Later that day
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Watch out
Watch out: In the park tells where, not when. In the morning tells when. Both can be at the start of a sentence, but the question they answer is different.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child: is this a time phrase or a place phrase? Ask the question, "when?" or "where?", and listen to the answer.
Exercise 6B Practice: time and place at the start
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.At half past eleven,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.When did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is when, so this adverbial tells when, which is a time.when = time
- Write the answer. when
Check. The word when answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.In the field we set up the tent.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.In the field,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.In the field
- Check its type. It answers the question about place, so it tells where.tells where
- Write the answer. In the field
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.On the hill,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.Where did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is where, so this adverbial tells where, which is a place.where = place
- Write the answer. where
Check. The word where answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Every Saturday we visit Grandad.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Every Saturday,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Every Saturday
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Every Saturday
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Before the match the players stretched.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Before the match,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Before the match
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Before the match
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Under the table the puppy found a sock.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Under the table,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Under the table
- Check its type. It answers the question about place, so it tells where.tells where
- Write the answer. Under the table
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Later that afternoon the sun came out.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Later that afternoon,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Later that afternoon
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Later that afternoon
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about each phrase.
- Ask when. At noon answers when, so it is a time adverbial.At noon: when
- Ask where. Over the fence answers where, so it is a place adverbial.Over the fence: where
- Write the answer. Over the fence
Check. Over the fence answers where. ✓
Watch out. At noon is a time, not a place, even though it is short.
Method. Add a time phrase in front of the main clause.
- Choose a time phrase. A phrase that answers when, such as after the bell.After the bell
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma comes after the phrase, then the main clause.After the bell, the class went outside.
- Write the answer. After the bell, the class went outside.
Check. The phrase answers when. ✓
Watch out. The time phrase goes before the comma, not after the main clause.
Method. Start with a place phrase about the dog.
- Choose a place phrase. A phrase that answers where, such as under the car.Under the car
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma comes after the phrase, then the main clause.Under the car, the dog found a ball.
- Write the answer. Under the car, the dog found a ball.
Check. The phrase answers where. ✓
Watch out. Check that the phrase tells where the dog was, not when.
Method. Move the adverbial to the front, then add its comma.
- Find the adverbial at the end. at seven tells time, so it can move to the front.at seven
- Move it to the start. A fronted adverbial starts the sentence, with a capital letter.At seven
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma goes after the adverbial. The main clause keeps its words.At seven, the baker opened the shop.
- Write the answer. At seven, the baker opened the shop.
Check. Read it aloud: the adverbial, a pause, then the main clause. ✓
Watch out. When the adverbial moves to the front, its first letter needs a capital.
Method. Ask the question that the phrase answers.
- Ask a question. Where did we play tag? In the park.In the park
- Choose the type. It answers where, so it is a place adverbial, not a time adverbial.place
- Write the answer. No. In the park tells where, so it is a place adverbial
Check. Where, not when. ✓
Watch out. Only ask when for a time phrase.
Method. Look at where each adverbial sits.
- Find the start. Every day is at the start, before the comma that is needed.Every day
- Find the end. In the morning is at the end of the sentence, so it is not fronted.in the morning
- Write the answer. Every day is fronted; in the morning is not, because it is at the end
Check. Only the phrase at the start is fronted. ✓
Watch out. Position decides whether an adverbial is fronted.
Fronted adverbials of manner: how
A manner adverbial tells how something is done. It can be a single word ending in -ly, such as Gently or Quickly. It can also be a phrase, such as With great care, In a loud voice or Like a cat.
A word such as Later or Soon tells when, not how. Ask the question to decide.
| Pattern | Example at the start | Question it answers |
|---|---|---|
| an adverb ending in -ly | Gently, the baby woke up. | How? |
| with + noun phrase | With great care, the potter lifted the bowl. | How? |
| in a + noun phrase | In a loud voice, the captain called the team. | How? |
| like + noun phrase | Like a cat, Tom crept across the floor. | How? |
Key ideas
- A manner adverbial tells how something is done: gently, quickly, with great care, like a cat.
- Many manner adverbials end in -ly, but some are phrases of several words.
- Later and soon tell when, so they are time adverbials, not manner adverbials.
- A manner adverbial at the start is followed by a comma.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Gently the old dog lifted its head.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Gently,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Gently
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Gently
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.With great care the potter lifted the bowl.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.With great care,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.With great care
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. With great care
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.Like a cat,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.How did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is how, so this adverbial tells how, which is a manner.how = manner
- Write the answer. how
Check. The word how answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Watch out
Watch out: a phrase such as With great care is one fronted adverbial, even though it has three words. Put the comma after the whole phrase: With great care, the potter lifted the bowl.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to act out a way of moving, for example tiptoeing or hopping. Then ask: how did you move? That answer is a manner adverbial.
Exercise 6C Practice: how something is done
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.Quietly,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.How did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is how, so this adverbial tells how, which is a manner.how = manner
- Write the answer. how
Check. The word how answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Carefully the nurse wrapped the bandage.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Carefully,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Carefully
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Carefully
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.With grace the dancer turned.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.With grace,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.With grace
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. With grace
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.One step at a time,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.How did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is how, so this adverbial tells how, which is a manner.how = manner
- Write the answer. how
Check. The word how answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Quickly Oliver grabbed his coat.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Quickly,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Quickly
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Quickly
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Like a lion the cat stretched in the sun.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Like a lion,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Like a lion
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Like a lion
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.In a soft whisper Grandma sang the song.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.In a soft whisper,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.In a soft whisper
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. In a soft whisper
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask when or how for each word.
- Ask when. Later answers when, so it is a time adverbial.Later: when
- Ask how. Quietly answers how, so it is a manner adverbial.Quietly: how
- Write the answer. Quietly
Check. Quietly describes how something is done. ✓
Watch out. Quietly ends in -ly, but the -ly ending alone does not decide the type: ask the question.
Method. Move the adverbial to the front, then add its comma.
- Find the adverbial at the end. with a wooden spoon tells manner, so it can move to the front.with a wooden spoon
- Move it to the start. A fronted adverbial starts the sentence, with a capital letter.With a wooden spoon
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma goes after the adverbial. The main clause keeps its words.With a wooden spoon, the cook stirred the soup.
- Write the answer. With a wooden spoon, the cook stirred the soup.
Check. Read it aloud: the adverbial, a pause, then the main clause. ✓
Watch out. When the adverbial moves to the front, its first letter needs a capital.
Method. Use a like phrase to describe how someone moves.
- Choose a like phrase. Like a rabbit tells how the child moved.Like a rabbit
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma follows the whole phrase, then the main clause.Like a rabbit, the child hopped to the door.
- Write the answer. Like a rabbit, the child hopped to the door.
Check. The phrase tells how the child moved. ✓
Watch out. Make sure the phrase describes how, not when or where.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.Slowly and neatly,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.How did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is how, so this adverbial tells how, which is a manner.how = manner
- Write the answer. how
Check. The word how answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Ask the question that Later answers.
- Ask a question. When did the bell ring? Later.Later
- Choose the type. It answers when, so it is not a manner adverbial.when
- Write the answer. No. Later tells when, so it is a time adverbial
Check. Later answers when. ✓
Watch out. Later and soon are time words, even though they are short.
Method. Ask the question that soon answers.
- Ask a question. When did the rain stop? Soon.Soon
- Compare with how. Soon does not describe the way the rain stopped, so it is not manner.not how
- Write the answer. soon tells when the rain stopped, not the way it happened
Check. Soon answers when. ✓
Watch out. Ask the question first, then choose the type.
The comma after a fronted adverbial
When a fronted adverbial starts a sentence, a comma comes after it. The comma marks the end of the adverbial, so the reader knows the main clause is about to start.
The comma goes after the whole adverbial. Write In the morning, Dad, not In, the morning Dad.
An adverbial at the end of a sentence does not need a comma before it: Dad walks the dog in the morning.
| Where the adverbial is | Example | Comma? |
|---|---|---|
| at the start | On the windy hill, the kite flew high. | yes, after the adverbial |
| at the end | The kite flew high on the windy hill. | no comma before it |
| a clause at the start | When the sun came up, the birds sang. | yes, after the whole clause |
Key ideas
- A fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence is followed by a comma.
- The comma goes after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.
- The comma separates the adverbial from the main clause.
- An adverbial at the end of a sentence needs no comma before it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.After breakfast
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.After breakfast,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.After breakfast, we walked to the lake.
- Write the answer. After breakfast, we walked to the lake.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.On the windy hill
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.On the windy hill,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.On the windy hill, the kite flew high.
- Write the answer. On the windy hill, the kite flew high.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.When the sun came up
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.When the sun came up,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.When the sun came up, the birds sang.
- Write the answer. When the sun came up, the birds sang.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Watch out
Watch out: a comma after the first word is a mistake. After, breakfast we walked is wrong. Put the comma after the whole phrase: After breakfast, we walked to the lake.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read the sentence aloud and pause at the end of the opening phrase. The pause is the comma. Ask your child to find the pause.
Exercise 6D Practice: the comma after the adverbial
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.At the top of the hill
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.At the top of the hill,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.At the top of the hill, the goats climbed the rocks.
- Write the answer. At the top of the hill, the goats climbed the rocks.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.Every evening
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.Every evening,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.Every evening, the family eats dinner together.
- Write the answer. Every evening, the family eats dinner together.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.On a warm summer day
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.On a warm summer day,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.On a warm summer day, we sat on the grass.
- Write the answer. On a warm summer day, we sat on the grass.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Compare the sentence with the punctuation it should have.
- Read the sentence. Check the commas, the full stops and the capital letters.Yesterday we, went to the library.
- Find the mistake. The comma is after we, but it belongs after the whole adverbial Yesterday.move the comma from after we to after Yesterday
- Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. The pause now matches the punctuation.Yesterday, we went to the library.
- Write the answer. No. Yesterday, we went to the library.
Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓
Watch out. Read the sentence aloud, and pause where the comma goes.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.In the morning
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.In the morning,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.In the morning, the farmer feeds the hens.
- Write the answer. In the morning, the farmer feeds the hens.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Look at where the adverbial is before you add a comma.
- Find the adverbial. It is at the end of the sentence, not at the start.in the evening
- Check for a comma. A comma follows a fronted adverbial at the start. This one is not at the start.no comma before it
- Keep the sentence as it is. Nothing is added, so the sentence stays the same.The farmer feeds the hens in the evening.
- Write the answer. The farmer feeds the hens in the evening.
Check. The adverbial is at the end, so there is no comma. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before an adverbial that comes at the end of a sentence like this.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.Under the old tree
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.Under the old tree,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.Under the old tree, the lambs rested.
- Write the answer. Under the old tree, the lambs rested.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Check where the comma goes.
- Look at A. The comma follows the whole adverbial Later.Later, the bus arrived.
- Look at B. B has a comma after bus, which is in the middle of the main clause.Later the bus, arrived.
- Write the answer. A
Check. The comma in A is after the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Check the comma is between the adverbial and the main clause.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.When the bell rang
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.When the bell rang,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.When the bell rang, we ran outside.
- Write the answer. When the bell rang, we ran outside.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.After the rain stopped
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.After the rain stopped,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.After the rain stopped, we went home.
- Write the answer. After the rain stopped, we went home.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Move the adverbial to the front, then add its comma.
- Find the adverbial at the end. in the spring tells time, so it can move to the front.in the spring
- Move it to the start. A fronted adverbial starts the sentence, with a capital letter.In the spring
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma goes after the adverbial. The main clause keeps its words.In the spring, the children planted seeds.
- Write the answer. In the spring, the children planted seeds.
Check. Read it aloud: the adverbial, a pause, then the main clause. ✓
Watch out. When the adverbial moves to the front, its first letter needs a capital.
Method. Compare the position of the adverbial.
- Look at the first sentence. The adverbial is at the start, so a comma follows it.In the morning,
- Look at the second sentence. The adverbial is at the end, so no comma is needed before it.in the morning
- Write the answer. the first is at the start, so a comma follows it; the second is at the end, so no comma
Check. Position decides the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma marks the end of an adverbial at the start.
Method. Think about where the reader needs a pause.
- Look at a sentence. In the morning, Dad walks the dog. The comma marks where the adverbial ends.In the morning,
- Think about the reader. The reader knows the main clause starts after the comma.main clause starts
- Write the answer. the comma separates the adverbial from the main clause, so the reader knows where the main clause starts
Check. The pause helps the reader. ✓
Watch out. A comma is a signal, like a small pause in speech.
Clauses and connectives: when, before, after, while, because, although, if
A clause is a group of words with a verb. A main clause makes sense on its own: we went to the market.
A subordinate clause has a verb too, but it depends on a main clause. It cannot stand alone: because it was cold.
A connective joins a subordinate clause to a main clause. The connective shows the meaning.
| Connective | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| when | at the time that | When the bell rang, we ran outside. |
| before | earlier than | Before we left, we made a list. |
| after | later than | After the film ended, we went home. |
| while | at the same time as | While Dad cooked, the children laid the table. |
| because | for the reason that | We stayed inside because it was raining. |
| although | even though; despite | Although it was cold, we swam in the sea. |
| if | on condition that | If it snows, we will build a snowman. |
Key ideas
- A main clause makes sense on its own.
- A subordinate clause starts with a connective and needs a main clause to make sense.
- Choose the connective by its meaning: when, before, after and while for time; because for a reason; although for a contrast; if for a condition.
- When a subordinate clause comes first, a comma follows it.
Method. Find the word that joins the two parts of the sentence.
- Find the two clauses. One clause makes sense on its own, and the other depends on it.After the film ended, we went home.
- Find the joining word. It is the connective that joins the two clauses.After
- Check its meaning. After shows that going home happened later than the end of the film.After
- Write the answer. After
Check. The connective is the word that shows the meaning. ✓
Watch out. Connectives are small words such as when, after, because and although.
Method. Find the word that joins the two parts of the sentence.
- Find the two clauses. One clause makes sense on its own, and the other depends on it.We stayed inside because it was raining.
- Find the joining word. It is the connective that joins the two clauses.because
- Check its meaning. Because gives the reason we stayed inside.because
- Write the answer. because
Check. The connective is the word that shows the meaning. ✓
Watch out. Connectives are small words such as when, after, because and although.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.Although it was cold
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.Although it was cold,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.Although it was cold, we swam in the sea.
- Write the answer. Although it was cold, we swam in the sea.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Watch out
Watch out: a subordinate clause cannot stand alone. Because it was raining. is not a sentence. Join it to a main clause: We stayed inside because it was raining.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child what the connective means. "Is it time, a reason, or a contrast?" Then choose the word that fits that meaning.
Exercise 6E Practice: connectives and clauses
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Before we left we made a list.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Before we left,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Before we left
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Before we left
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.___ it rained, we went for a walk anyway.
- Think about the meaning. Went for a walk anyway shows a contrast: the walk happened in spite of the rain.Although it rained, we went for a walk anyway.
- Check the other choices. Because would give a reason for the walk, which does not fit anyway. Before does not show a contrast.Although it rained, we went for a walk anyway.
- Write the answer. although
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with although in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Ben took an umbrella ___ the sky looked grey.
- Think about the meaning. The umbrella was taken for a reason: the grey sky.Ben took an umbrella because the sky looked grey.
- Check the other choices. Although would show a contrast, and after would mean the sky looked grey at a later time, which does not fit.Ben took an umbrella because the sky looked grey.
- Write the answer. because
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with because in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Ruby brushed her teeth ___ she got into bed.
- Think about the meaning. The teeth were brushed first, then she got into bed. This is a time order.Ruby brushed her teeth before she got into bed.
- Check the other choices. After would mean she brushed her teeth after getting into bed, and because gives a reason, which does not fit.Ruby brushed her teeth before she got into bed.
- Write the answer. before
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with before in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.___ Dad cooked the tea, the children laid the table.
- Think about the meaning. Two things happened at the same time: Dad cooked and the children laid the table.While Dad cooked the tea, the children laid the table.
- Check the other choices. Because gives a reason, and although gives a contrast. Neither fits two things happening together.While Dad cooked the tea, the children laid the table.
- Write the answer. While
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with While in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Find the word that joins the two parts of the sentence.
- Find the two clauses. One clause makes sense on its own, and the other depends on it.When the kettle boiled, Mum made tea.
- Find the joining word. It is the connective that joins the two clauses.When
- Check its meaning. When shows the time the tea was made.When
- Write the answer. When
Check. The connective is the word that shows the meaning. ✓
Watch out. Connectives are small words such as when, after, because and although.
Method. Find the word that joins the two parts of the sentence.
- Find the two clauses. One clause makes sense on its own, and the other depends on it.We wore coats, because it was cold.
- Find the joining word. It is the connective that joins the two clauses.because
- Check its meaning. Because gives the reason for the coats.because
- Write the answer. because
Check. The connective is the word that shows the meaning. ✓
Watch out. Connectives are small words such as when, after, because and although.
Method. Find the word that joins the two parts of the sentence.
- Find the two clauses. One clause makes sense on its own, and the other depends on it.After the match, the team had a drink.
- Find the joining word. It is the connective that joins the two clauses.After
- Check its meaning. After shows the drink came later than the match.After
- Write the answer. After
Check. The connective is the word that shows the meaning. ✓
Watch out. Connectives are small words such as when, after, because and although.
Method. Match each connective to its meaning.
- Look at because. Because gives a reason, not a contrast.because: reason
- Look at after. After shows time, not a contrast.after: time
- Look at although. Although shows a contrast: something happened despite something else.although: contrast
- Write the answer. although
Check. Although is the contrast word. ✓
Watch out. Think about what the connective is doing.
Method. Use while to show two things happening together.
- Write the subordinate clause. While shows the two things happen at the same time.While Dad cooked
- Add the main clause. The main clause tells what else happened, after a comma.While Dad cooked, we set the table.
- Write the answer. While Dad cooked, we set the table.
Check. Both things happen at the same time. ✓
Watch out. Make sure the two actions happen together.
Method. Use although to show a contrast.
- Write the subordinate clause. Although shows a contrast with the main clause.Although the grass was wet
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma comes after the whole clause.Although the grass was wet, Priya sat down to read.
- Write the answer. Although the grass was wet, Priya sat down to read.
Check. The contrast is clear. ✓
Watch out. The comma follows the whole subordinate clause, not the word although.
Method. Compare the sentence with the punctuation it should have.
- Read the sentence. Check the commas, the full stops and the capital letters.Although it was cold we swam in the sea.
- Find the mistake. The subordinate clause starts the sentence, so a comma comes after the whole clause.add a comma after cold
- Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. The pause now matches the punctuation.Although it was cold, we swam in the sea.
- Write the answer. No. Although it was cold, we swam in the sea.
Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓
Watch out. Read the sentence aloud, and pause where the comma goes.
Method. Look at what the clause needs.
- Find the verb. It has a verb, was raining.was raining
- Check the sense. Because gives a reason, so the reader needs to know what happened for that reason.needs a main clause
- Write the answer. it is a subordinate clause; it has a verb but needs a main clause
Check. It needs a main clause to make sense. ✓
Watch out. Join it to a main clause to make a sentence.
Method. Find the fronted clause and the main clause.
- Find the fronted clause. If it snows is a subordinate clause at the start.If it snows
- Add the comma. A comma goes after the whole fronted clause, before we.If it snows, we will build a snowman.
- Write the answer. No. A comma is needed after the fronted clause: If it snows, we will build a snowman.
Check. Read it aloud: a pause after snows. ✓
Watch out. Any fronted subordinate clause is followed by a comma.
Connecting words between sentences: however, meanwhile, therefore, as a result
A connecting word links the idea in a new sentence to the sentence before it. Words such as however, meanwhile, therefore and as a result do this.
The connecting word comes after a full stop, starts the new sentence, and is followed by a comma. It works in the same way as a fronted adverbial. A comma alone cannot join two complete sentences.
| Connecting word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| however | but; in spite of that | The sky was grey. However, the sun came out. |
| meanwhile | at the same time | Dad cooked lunch. Meanwhile, the children laid the table. |
| therefore | for this reason | It was very late. Therefore, we went to bed. |
| as a result | because of this | The river flooded. As a result, the road was closed. |
Key ideas
- A connecting word links a new sentence to the one before it.
- Put a full stop before the connecting word, and a capital letter for the connecting word.
- A comma follows the connecting word, before the main clause.
- Do not join two complete sentences with only a comma.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the connecting word that starts the second sentence. It is the words at the start of the sentence.As a result
- Put the comma after it. A comma comes straight after the connecting word, before the main clause.As a result,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.The river flooded. As a result, the road was closed.
- Write the answer. The river flooded. As a result, the road was closed.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. A connecting word is followed by a comma, and a full stop comes before it.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Dad cooked lunch. ___, the children laid the table.
- Think about the meaning. Two things happened at the same time: Dad cooked, and the children laid the table.Dad cooked lunch. meanwhile, the children laid the table.
- Check the other choices. However would show a contrast, and that does not fit two jobs done together.Dad cooked lunch. meanwhile, the children laid the table.
- Write the answer. meanwhile
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with meanwhile in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.It was very late. ___, we went to bed.
- Think about the meaning. The late time is the reason we went to bed, so the second sentence is a result.It was very late. therefore, we went to bed.
- Check the other choices. However would show a contrast, which does not fit a result.It was very late. therefore, we went to bed.
- Write the answer. therefore
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with therefore in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Watch out
Watch out: The sky was grey, However the sun came out. is wrong. A comma cannot join two sentences here. Use a full stop: The sky was grey. However, the sun came out.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read the two sentences aloud, with a full stop between them. Ask: is the second sentence a result, a contrast, or something at the same time? That answer chooses the connecting word.
Exercise 6F Practice: connecting words between sentences
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Dan wanted to swim. ___, the water was cold.
- Think about the meaning. The second sentence is a contrast: Dan wanted to swim, but the water was cold.Dan wanted to swim. however, the water was cold.
- Check the other choices. Meanwhile shows two things at the same time, which does not fit a contrast.Dan wanted to swim. however, the water was cold.
- Write the answer. however
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with however in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Ruby read her book. ___, Ben made a cup of tea.
- Think about the meaning. Two things happened at the same time: Ruby read, and Ben made tea.Ruby read her book. meanwhile, Ben made a cup of tea.
- Check the other choices. However would show a contrast, and that does not fit two things done together.Ruby read her book. meanwhile, Ben made a cup of tea.
- Write the answer. meanwhile
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with meanwhile in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.The bridge was closed. ___, the bus took a longer road.
- Think about the meaning. The closed bridge is the reason the bus took a longer road, so this is a result.The bridge was closed. therefore, the bus took a longer road.
- Check the other choices. However would show a contrast, and a longer road is not a contrast with a closed bridge.The bridge was closed. therefore, the bus took a longer road.
- Write the answer. therefore
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with therefore in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the connecting word that starts the second sentence. It is the words at the start of the sentence.However
- Put the comma after it. A comma comes straight after the connecting word, before the main clause.However,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.The sky was grey. However, the sun came out.
- Write the answer. The sky was grey. However, the sun came out.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. A connecting word is followed by a comma, and a full stop comes before it.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.The shop was closed. ___, we went to the park.
- Think about the meaning. The closed shop is the reason we went to the park, so this is a result.The shop was closed. therefore, we went to the park.
- Check the other choices. However would show a contrast, and that does not fit.The shop was closed. therefore, we went to the park.
- Write the answer. therefore
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with therefore in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Ruby practised every day. ___, she won the race.
- Think about the meaning. Practising every day is the reason she won, so this is a result.Ruby practised every day. As a result, she won the race.
- Check the other choices. However would show a contrast, and that does not fit a reason.Ruby practised every day. As a result, she won the race.
- Write the answer. As a result
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with As a result in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Use a full stop, then the connecting word and a comma.
- Write the first sentence. It was a sunny day.It was a sunny day.
- Write the second sentence. However starts the new sentence, then a comma, then the main clause.However, the wind was strong.
- Write the answer. It was a sunny day. However, the wind was strong.
Check. Full stop, capital, comma. ✓
Watch out. The connecting word starts a new sentence, so it has a capital letter.
Method. Write a second sentence that happens at the same time.
- Choose the second action. It must happen at the same time as washing the dishes.Dan dried the plates
- Add meanwhile and a comma. Meanwhile starts the sentence, then a comma.Meanwhile, Dan dried the plates.
- Write the answer. Mia washed the dishes. Meanwhile, Dan dried the plates.
Check. Both actions happen together. ✓
Watch out. Check that the two actions could happen at the same time.
Method. Match the word to its meaning.
- Look at each word. However means but; therefore means for this reason.however; therefore
- Choose the word. Meanwhile means at the same time.meanwhile
- Write the answer. meanwhile
Check. Meanwhile means at the same time. ✓
Watch out. Meanwhile is the word for things happening together.
Method. Compare the sentence with the punctuation it should have.
- Read the sentence. Check the commas, the full stops and the capital letters.The sky was grey, However the sun came out.
- Find the mistake. A comma cannot join two complete sentences here; a full stop comes before However.replace the comma after grey with a full stop, and add a comma after However
- Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. The pause now matches the punctuation.The sky was grey. However, the sun came out.
- Write the answer. No. The sky was grey. However, the sun came out.
Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓
Watch out. Read the sentence aloud, and pause where the comma goes.
Method. Think about the meaning of each word.
- Look at therefore. The rain is the reason the match was cancelled, so therefore shows a result.result
- Look at meanwhile. Meanwhile shows two things at the same time, and a cancelled match is not that.same time
- Write the answer. therefore shows the result of the rain; meanwhile means at the same time, so it does not fit
Check. Each word means something different. ✓
Watch out. Choose by meaning, not by the sound of the word.
Method. Think about what a contrast means.
- Look at however. However means but, so it shows a contrast.however: contrast
- Look at therefore. Therefore shows a result, not a contrast.therefore: result
- Write the answer. however
Check. However is the contrast word. ✓
Watch out. A contrast says that the second sentence is different.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Fronted adverbial | A word, phrase or clause at the start of a sentence that tells when, where or how: Suddenly, the cat jumped. |
| When, where, how | Time (when), place (where) and manner (how). Ask the question to find the type. |
| Comma after the adverbial | One comma after the whole fronted adverbial. No comma before an adverbial at the end of a sentence. |
| Main clause | Makes sense on its own: we went to the park. |
| Subordinate clause | Starts with a connective and needs a main clause: When the bell rang. |
| Connective | Joins a subordinate clause to a main clause: when, before, after, while, because, although, if. |
| Choosing a connective | Match the meaning: time (when, before, after, while), reason (because), contrast (although), condition (if). |
| Connecting word | Links a new sentence to the one before: However, Meanwhile, Therefore, As a result. Full stop before, comma after. |
Can you…?
- I can find a fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence, and say whether it tells when, where or how
- I can put one comma after the whole fronted adverbial
- I know there is no comma before an adverbial at the end of a sentence
- I can tell a main clause from a subordinate clause
- I can choose a connective that fits the meaning: time, reason, contrast or condition
- I can link two sentences with a connecting word, a full stop and a comma
- I can explain why a comma is needed
Key terms
- fronted adverbial
- an adverbial at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma
- adverbial
- a word, phrase or clause that tells when, where or how something happens
- connective
- a word that joins two clauses or links two ideas, such as when, because or however
- clause
- a group of words with a verb
- main clause
- a clause that makes sense on its own
- subordinate clause
- a clause that needs a main clause to make sense; it starts with a connective
- connecting word
- a word such as however, meanwhile or therefore that links a sentence to the one before it
- comma
- a mark that separates parts of a sentence, such as a fronted adverbial from the main clause
Exercise 6Z Check-up
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Quickly the puppy ran to the gate.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Quickly,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Quickly
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Quickly
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Ask a question about the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It is the words before the comma.Under the table,
- Ask the question it answers. Ask when, where or how the thing happened.Where did it happen?
- Choose the word. The answer is where, so this adverbial tells where, which is a place.where = place
- Write the answer. where
Check. The word where answers the question. ✓
Watch out. Decide from the question the adverbial answers, not from the first word.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.In the afternoon
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.In the afternoon,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.In the afternoon, we painted the shed.
- Write the answer. In the afternoon, we painted the shed.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.After the bell rang
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.After the bell rang,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.After the bell rang, we ran outside.
- Write the answer. After the bell rang, we ran outside.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.Mia stayed indoors ___ the wind was very strong.
- Think about the meaning. The wind is the reason Mia stayed indoors.Mia stayed indoors because the wind was very strong.
- Check the other choices. Although would show a contrast, and before would give a time, which does not fit a reason.Mia stayed indoors because the wind was very strong.
- Write the answer. because
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with because in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.The field was muddy. ___, we played football anyway.
- Think about the meaning. We played in spite of the mud, so the second sentence is a contrast.The field was muddy. however, we played football anyway.
- Check the other choices. Meanwhile would show two things at the same time, which does not fit a contrast.The field was muddy. however, we played football anyway.
- Write the answer. however
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with however in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Compare the sentence with the punctuation it should have.
- Read the sentence. Check the commas, the full stops and the capital letters.Every morning Dad walks the dog.
- Find the mistake. The comma after the fronted adverbial is missing.add a comma after morning
- Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. The pause now matches the punctuation.Every morning, Dad walks the dog.
- Write the answer. No. Every morning, Dad walks the dog.
Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓
Watch out. Read the sentence aloud, and pause where the comma goes.
Method. Move the adverbial to the front, then add its comma.
- Find the adverbial at the end. every Tuesday tells time, so it can move to the front.every Tuesday
- Move it to the start. A fronted adverbial starts the sentence, with a capital letter.Every Tuesday
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma goes after the adverbial. The main clause keeps its words.Every Tuesday, the team practised.
- Write the answer. Every Tuesday, the team practised.
Check. Read it aloud: the adverbial, a pause, then the main clause. ✓
Watch out. When the adverbial moves to the front, its first letter needs a capital.
Method. Ask the question that Yesterday answers.
- Ask a question. When did we paint the fence? Yesterday.Yesterday
- Choose the type. It answers when, so it is a time adverbial, not a manner adverbial.when
- Write the answer. No. Yesterday tells when, so it is a time adverbial
Check. Yesterday answers when. ✓
Watch out. Ask the question first, then choose the type.
Method. Start with a place phrase, then a comma.
- Choose a place phrase. Beside the pond tells where.Beside the pond
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma follows the whole phrase.Beside the pond, the frogs sat in the sun.
- Write the answer. Beside the pond, the frogs sat in the sun.
Check. The phrase tells where. ✓
Watch out. Check the phrase tells where, not how.
Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.
Exercise 6X Practice test questions
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Gently the baby fell asleep.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Gently,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Gently
- Check its type. It answers the question about manner, so it tells how.tells how
- Write the answer. Gently
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Find the word that joins the two parts of the sentence.
- Find the two clauses. One clause makes sense on its own, and the other depends on it.After the storm, the streets were quiet.
- Find the joining word. It is the connective that joins the two clauses.After
- Check its meaning. After shows the streets were quiet later than the storm.After
- Write the answer. After
Check. The connective is the word that shows the meaning. ✓
Watch out. Connectives are small words such as when, after, because and although.
Method. Find the fronted adverbial, then put one comma straight after it.
- Find the fronted adverbial at the start. It is the words at the start of the sentence.Under the stairs
- Put the comma after it. The comma goes straight after the whole adverbial, not after its first word.Under the stairs,
- Check the rest of the sentence. The main clause keeps its own words after the comma.Under the stairs, the cat found a toy.
- Write the answer. Under the stairs, the cat found a toy.
Check. Read it aloud and pause after the comma. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the whole adverbial, never in the middle of it.
Method. Choose the connective by its meaning.
- Read the sentence with the gap. Find what the connective has to show: time, a reason, a contrast or a result.___ we were tired, we went home early.
- Think about the meaning. Going home early is the result of being tired, so the connective gives a reason.Because we were tired, we went home early.
- Check the other choices. Although would show a contrast, which does not fit a reason.Because we were tired, we went home early.
- Write the answer. because
Check. Read the whole sentence aloud with because in the gap. ✓
Watch out. Put each choice in the gap and ask what the sentence means.
Method. Compare the sentence with the punctuation it should have.
- Read the sentence. Check the commas, the full stops and the capital letters.Under the desk the puppy slept.
- Find the mistake. The comma after the fronted adverbial is missing.add a comma after desk
- Write the correct sentence. Read it aloud. The pause now matches the punctuation.Under the desk, the puppy slept.
- Write the answer. No. Under the desk, the puppy slept.
Check. Read the corrected sentence aloud. ✓
Watch out. Read the sentence aloud, and pause where the comma goes.
Method. Find the words at the start that come before the comma.
- Look at the start of the sentence. A fronted adverbial comes first in the sentence.Before the concert started the choir warmed up.
- Find the comma. The words before the comma are the fronted adverbial.Before the concert started,
- Copy the words before the comma. Copy only these words, not the main clause after the comma.Before the concert started
- Check its type. It answers the question about time, so it tells when.tells when
- Write the answer. Before the concert started
Check. Read the sentence aloud: the words before the comma are the adverbial. ✓
Watch out. Copy only the words before the comma, not the main clause after it.
Method. Move the adverbial to the front, then add its comma.
- Find the adverbial at the end. at the market tells place, so it can move to the front.at the market
- Move it to the start. A fronted adverbial starts the sentence, with a capital letter.At the market
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma goes after the adverbial. The main clause keeps its words.At the market, the farmer sold the eggs.
- Write the answer. At the market, the farmer sold the eggs.
Check. Read it aloud: the adverbial, a pause, then the main clause. ✓
Watch out. When the adverbial moves to the front, its first letter needs a capital.
Method. Start with a phrase that tells how, then a comma.
- Choose a manner phrase. With a big smile tells how Sam opened the door.With a big smile
- Add the comma and the main clause. The comma follows the whole phrase, then the main clause.With a big smile, Sam opened the door.
- Write the answer. With a big smile, Sam opened the door.
Check. The phrase tells how. ✓
Watch out. Check the phrase tells how, not when or where.
Method. Use a full stop, then However and a comma.
- Keep the first sentence. The path was steep. This stays as it is.The path was steep.
- Add however to the second sentence. However starts the second sentence, with a capital letter and a comma.However, we reached the top.
- Write the answer. The path was steep. However, we reached the top.
Check. Full stop, capital, comma. ✓
Watch out. However shows a contrast: the path was steep, but the top was reached.
Method. Look for a verb in each group of words.
- Look at when the bell rang. It has a verb, rang, so it is a clause.rang
- Look at the bell. It has no verb, so it is only a noun phrase, not a clause.no verb
- Write the answer. the clause has the verb rang; the bell has no verb, so it is not a clause
Check. A clause needs a verb. ✓
Watch out. A clause always has a verb.