What is a clause?
• The subject of a sentence is the person or thing that is carrying
out the main action of that sentence.
• Verbs can describe an action (e.g. sing, climb),
emotion (e.g. loves, hates), thought (e.g. thinks),
opinion (e.g. believes) or state of being (e.g. am,
is, are, was, were).
• A clause is a group of words that contains a
verb and a subject.
• There are two types of clauses, main
and subordinate.
Main Clause
• A main clause is the key part of a sentence. Every sentence has a
main clause. A main clause can form a complete sentence; it makes
sense on its own.
Subordinate Clause
• A subordinate clause gives us more information about the main
clause. If we removed the main clause, a subordinate clause would
not make sense on its own, it is not a ‘full’ sentence.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has just one main clause.
For example:
Bluebells are protected flowers.
Compound Sentences
• A compound sentence will include two main clauses (they will both
make sense on their own and have equal importance in the
sentence).
• The main clauses will be linked together by a type of word called a
‘co-ordinating conjunction’: and; so; but; or; for; yet; nor.
• For example:
• Bluebells are protected flowers and uprooting wildflowers without
permission is not allowed in Northern Ireland.
• Main clause: Bluebells are protected flowers.
• Main clause: Uprooting wildflowers without permission is not allowed
in Northern Ireland.
• Co-ordinating conjunction: and
Complex Sentences
• Complex sentences will include a main clause and a subordinate clause or
clauses. The subordinate clause will add more detail to the main clause, but
will not make sense on its own. Wherever it appears in the sentence, a
subordinate clause will usually begin with a type of word called a
‘subordinating conjunction’. This word or words will explain how the
information is linked to the main clause.
• For example:
• It is illegal to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells because
they are protected flowers.
• Main clause: It is illegal to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy
bluebells.
• Subordinate clause: they are protected flowers.
• Subordinating conjunction: because
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Roses are red and violets are blue.
Compound
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
I can search for minibeasts, now that I’ve
finished my homework.
Complex
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Wintry weather might include frost, hail,
sleet and snow.
Simple
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Even though it was about to rain, I wanted to go
for a walk.
Complex
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Many trees are bare in winter but evergreen
trees do not lose their leaves.
Compound
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
During spring, hares can be spotted ‘boxing’
one another, as the females will sometimes
fight off the attention of the males.
Complex
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Photosynthesis is the name for the process in
which green plants make their own food.
Complex
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
The winter solstice occurs in December and
the summer solstice takes place in June.
Compound
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Although they may be much less active in
winter, red squirrels do not hibernate.
Complex
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
The full moon that occurs closest to the
autumn equinox is known as the
Harvest Moon.
Simple
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Once the rain had stopped, the bees began
buzzing around the flowers again.
Complex
Let’s Practice
• Read the sentence and decide if it is a simple, compound or
complex sentence.
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers that
appear each year, even blooming in frost
or snow.
Complex