40-minute lesson
Year 6 English: Complex sentences
Lesson objective
- Distinguish between main clauses and subordinate clauses.
- Use subordinating conjunctions to create complex sentences.
- Punctuate a complex sentence that begins with a subordinate clause.
Success criteria:
- I can find the main clause and the subordinate clause in a sentence.
- I can join ideas with 'because', 'although', 'when', 'if' and 'unless'.
- I can use a comma when a sentence starts with a subordinate clause.
Materials
- Sentence strips and scissors
- Conjunction cards: because, although, when, if, unless, after, before, while
- A short piece of your child's recent writing
Introduction
4 minIntroduce today's words:
- main clause: A clause that makes complete sense on its own.
- subordinate clause: A clause that adds information to a main clause but does not make complete sense on its own, such as 'because it was raining'.
- subordinating conjunction: A word such as 'because', 'although', 'when', 'if', 'unless' or 'after' that begins a subordinate clause.
- complex sentence: A sentence with one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
Ask your child what they already know about complex sentences.
Explanation
8 minA main clause makes sense on its own: 'We stayed inside.' A subordinate clause depends on a main clause to make full sense: 'because it was raining' leaves the reader waiting for more.
A complex sentence combines a main clause with a subordinate clause: 'We stayed inside because it was raining.'
Subordinate clauses usually begin with a subordinating conjunction. Each one shows a particular relationship:
- Cause: because, since
- Time: when, after, before, while, until
- Condition: if, unless
- Contrast: although, even though
The subordinate clause can come first or second. When it comes first, put a comma after it: 'Although she was tired, Emma finished the race.' When it comes second, a comma is usually not needed: 'Emma finished the race although she was tired.'
Worked examples
6 minIdentifying the clauses
Find the main and subordinate clauses: 'When the siren sounded, the swimmers left the water.'
Step 1: Find the subordinating conjunction: 'When'.
Step 2: The subordinate clause runs to the comma: 'When the siren sounded'.
Step 3: The rest makes sense alone: 'the swimmers left the water'. This is the main clause.
Answer: Main: 'the swimmers left the water'. Subordinate: 'When the siren sounded'.
Combining two sentences
Combine with a conjunction showing contrast: 'The track was steep.' 'We reached the top.'
Step 1: Choose a contrast conjunction: 'although'.
Step 2: Attach it to the clause that is the obstacle: 'Although the track was steep'.
Step 3: Put the subordinate clause first and add a comma.
Answer: Although the track was steep, we reached the top.
Fixing punctuation
Add the missing comma: 'If it rains tomorrow we will go to the museum.'
Step 1: Find the subordinate clause: 'If it rains tomorrow'.
Step 2: It comes first, so put a comma after it.
Answer: If it rains tomorrow, we will go to the museum.
Guided practice (do together)
8 min1. Which is a subordinate clause?
(a) The dog slept. (b) because the dog was tired (c) The dog was tired.
2. Which sentence is a complex sentence?
(a) I ate lunch and then I read. (b) I ate lunch. (c) After I ate lunch, I read.
3. Which conjunction shows a condition?
(a) unless (b) although (c) after
4. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
(a) Before we left we locked the door. (b) Before we left, we locked the door. (c) Before, we left we locked the door.
Independent practice
10 min5. In 'Lena smiled because she had won', what is the main clause?
(a) Lena smiled (b) because she had won (c) she had won
6. Type the subordinating conjunction in: 'We waited inside until the storm passed.'
7. Type the conjunction that best shows contrast: '___ he practised every day, Kai still found the piece difficult.' (although / because / if)
8. After which word should a comma go? 'While Dad cooked dinner Maya set the table.' Type the word.
Questions to check understanding
- Can you find the main clause and the subordinate clause in a sentence?
- Can you join ideas with 'because', 'although', 'when', 'if' and 'unless'?
- Can you use a comma when a sentence starts with a subordinate clause?
- What was the trickiest part today?
Answer guide
1. because the dog was tired — 'Because the dog was tired' does not make complete sense on its own.
2. After I ate lunch, I read. — 'After I ate lunch' is a subordinate clause attached to the main clause 'I read'.
3. unless — 'Unless' sets a condition: 'We will be late unless we hurry.'
4. Before we left, we locked the door. — The subordinate clause comes first, so a comma follows it.
5. Lena smiled — 'Lena smiled' makes sense on its own.
6. until — 'Until' begins the subordinate clause 'until the storm passed'.
7. although — Practising and still finding it difficult is a contrast, so 'although' fits.
8. dinner — The subordinate clause 'While Dad cooked dinner' comes first, so a comma goes after 'dinner'.
Review
4 minRecap the success criteria together. Watch for these common misconceptions:
- Writing a subordinate clause on its own as a sentence ('Because I was late.'). It needs a main clause to complete it.
- Thinking a comma is always needed in a complex sentence. It is needed mainly when the subordinate clause comes first.
- Confusing coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so) with subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when).
Extension activities
- Write a paragraph where each sentence starts with a different subordinating conjunction.
- Play 'conditions' at dinner: everyone makes an 'If…' sentence about the weekend.
- Rewrite a set of instructions so that each step uses 'when', 'after' or 'before'.
Suggested follow-up
- Revisit complex sentences tomorrow with two or three quick questions from memory.
- Try the online practice check for this topic and look at any questions that need another go.
Tips for parents
- Ask your child to finish your subordinate clauses aloud: 'Although it was cold…'
- Highlight subordinate clauses in a paragraph of a novel you are reading together.
- When editing, look for places where two short sentences could become one complex sentence.