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Year 3 - English

Understanding the comma rule in 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 the comma rule in an adverbial complex sentence.

Key Notes

  • The position of an adverbial clause can move in an adverbial complex sentence.
  • The adverbial clause can come first in the sentence followed by the main clause.
  • If the adverbial clause comes first in the sentence, it is followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause.
  • The main clause can come first in the sentence followed by the adverbial clause.
  • If the main clause comes first in the sentence, no comma is used.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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
  • comma: a punctuation mark used to separate the first adverbial clause from the second main clause in an adverbial complex sentence
  • adverbial complex sentence: a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial clause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils think the adverbial clause always comes second in an adverbial complex sentence.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The position of an adverbial clause can move in an adverbial complex sentence. The adverbial clause can come first in the sentence followed by the main clause.

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

a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils think the adverbial clause always comes second in an adverbial complex sentence. Correction: The position of the adverbial clause can swap. The adverbial clause can come first or second in an adverbial complex sentence.

More Lessons In This Unit

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