Year 4 - English
Using the comma rules with relative complex sentences
Simple, compound, adverbial and relative complex sentences
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn a new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence. In so doing, they learn a new comma rule for how to embed a relative clause within a main clause. Pupils revise main and adverbial clauses and phrases as well as simple, compound and adverbial complex sentences.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use a pair of commas to interrupt a main clause with a relative clause in a relative complex sentence.
Key Notes
- A relative clause joined to a main clause forms a relative complex sentence.
- The relative clause often interrupts the main clause.
- A relative clause often interrupts after the subject of the main clause at the start of the sentence.
- A pair of commas is used around the relative clause to demarcate it from the main clause.
Vocabulary To Learn
- comma: a punctuation mark used to demarcate the relative clause from the main clause in a relative complex sentence
- relative complex sentence: a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative clause
- relative clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
- relative pronoun: a word that starts a relative clause like "who" or "which"
- interrupt: force to stop or break
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may believe that a relative clause starts with a being verb e.g. 'who is' or 'which was'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A relative clause joined to a main clause forms a relative complex sentence. The relative clause often interrupts the main clause.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'comma'
a punctuation mark used to demarcate the relative clause from the main clause in a relative complex sentence.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Children may believe that a relative clause starts with a being verb e.g. 'who is' or 'which was'. Correction: We can use a whole range of verbs to start the relative clause e.g. 'who has', 'which sits', 'who likes'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence Study Guide
- A new subordinate clause: the relative clause Study Guide
- Comma rules in three sentence types Study Guide
- Three sentence types Study Guide
- Two types of clause, including subordinate clauses Study Guide
- Two types of conjunction Study Guide
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