Sentences and clauses

Match the following

• Jenny ran down the steep hill.

• A clause

• Jenny ran down the steep hill while a pack of wolves chased her.

• A simple sentence

• Jenny ran

• A complex sentence

Answer explanation

A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb.

A complex sentence, has a main clause (that makes sense on its own) and a subordinate clause (that does not make sense on its own).

Write an example of a simple sentence. Remember the full stops and capital letters.

Choose the answers that are clauses (remember a clause has a subject and a verb) Hint there is more than one!

• in the morning

• I ran

• under the table

• the boy loves cake

Answer explanation

Remember a clause has a verb and a subject.

Words such as in are prepositions.

Match the main (independent clause) the to the subordinate (dependent) clause so the sentence make sense.

• I didn't like snakes.

• although Mrs Watts likes chocolate

• until it became dark

• If it is dark

• when they spread their wings

• as long as I can remember

• I will go straight home

• George climbed the step mountain

• she does not not like chocolate ice cream

• butterlies are beautiful

Answer explanation

Please note that sometimes these are called main clause and subordinate and sometimes independent and dependent.

Choose the sentences that have the independent clause underlined.

• Harry hid in the undergrowth, before jumping out.

• If its Tuesday, we have a swimming lesson.

• As soon as I can, I will travel to Japan.

• I love chocolate, although I dislike chocolate ice cream.

Write a complex sentence that has an independent clause and a subordinate clause. Use one of the subordinating conjunctions you learned last year.