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Year 3 - English

Adverbial complex sentences

Simple, compound and adverbial complex sentences

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn two comma rules within different sentence structures: compound and adverbial complex sentences. Pupils revise simple, compound and adverbial complex sentences and extend their knowledge by learning that an adverbial clause can come first or second in a complex sentence.

Lesson Summary

You can understand that a complex sentence is formed of at least one main clause and any type of subordinate clause.

Key Notes

  • A word that joins a second idea to a main clause in an adverbial complex sentence is called a subordinating conjunction.
  • A subordinating conjunction is the word that starts an adverbial clause.
  • A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense.
  • An adverbial clause is a type of subordinate clause.
  • A main clause joined with any subordinate clause forms a complex sentence.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • subordinating conjunction: a word that starts an adverbial clause
  • subordinate clause: a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense
  • adverbial clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
  • main clause: a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
  • complex sentence: a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils do not recognise that an adverbial clause is one type of subordinate clause.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

A word that joins a second idea to a main clause in an adverbial complex sentence is called a subordinating conjunction. A subordinating conjunction is the word that starts an adverbial clause.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'subordinating conjunction'

a word that starts an adverbial clause.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils do not recognise that an adverbial clause is one type of subordinate clause. Correction: "Subordinate clause" is an umbrella term. Any subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.