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Year 6 - English

Adverbial, relative and non-finite complex sentences revision

Review, including word class, sentence types, tense, commas and colons

Unit Summary

In this unit, comprehensive review of all grammar and syntactical terminology needed for KS2 SATS tests is undertaken. Pupils review word class, the five taught sentence structures, all taught tenses, word families, Standard English and all taught punctuation, including at the higher level for GDS.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to practise complex sentence test questions.

Key Notes

  • Any complex sentence is formed of at least one main clause joined to at least one subordinate clause.
  • There are different types of subordinate clause: adverbial clause, relative clause and non-finite clause.
  • Any subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense.
  • There are three types of complex sentence: adverbial, relative and non-finite.
  • There are comma rules associated with clause demarcation in complex sentences.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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
  • relative clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
  • non-finite clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a verb in the progressive tense
  • complex sentence: a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may not grasp that the different types of subordinate clause are all subordinate clauses.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Any complex sentence is formed of at least one main clause joined to at least one subordinate clause. There are different types of subordinate clause: adverbial clause, relative clause and non-finite clause.

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

a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may not grasp that the different types of subordinate clause are all subordinate clauses. Correction: Reinforce the point that these are sub-types of subordinate clause.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.