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Year 3 - English

Three ways for co-ordination in compound 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 use each of the three co-ordinating conjunctions.

Key Notes

  • A simple sentence is a main clause about one idea.
  • A compound sentence is a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word.
  • Co-ordinating conjunction is the term for a word that joins two main clauses to form a compound sentence.
  • There are three co-ordinating conjunctions: "and", "but" and "or".
  • Each co-ordinating conjunction has a different purpose.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • simple sentence: a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense
  • main clause: a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
  • compound sentence: a sentence formed of two simple sentences and a joining word
  • co-ordinating conjunction: a word that joins two main clauses to form a compound sentence
  • purpose: function or job

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils think that "because" is a co-ordinating conjunction.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

A simple sentence is a main clause about one idea. A compound sentence is a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word.

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

a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils think that "because" is a co-ordinating conjunction. Correction: There are three co-ordinating conjunctions that are most frequently used in English. These are "and", "but" and "or".

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.