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Clauses and Sentences

Build simple, compound and complex sentences for different effects.

  • Define and explain Clauses and Sentences in your own words
  • Use key terms such as clause accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Clauses and Sentences: build simple, compound and complex sentences for different effects.

Definition: Clauses and Sentences

Build simple, compound and complex sentences for different effects.

Key ideas

Vary your sentence types

Simple sentences hit hard. Compound sentences link equal ideas with and, but or so. Complex sentences use subordinate clauses to show how ideas connect — because, although and when reveal cause and contrast. Mixing all three keeps writing lively; using only one type sounds robotic.

Choose words with precision

Big words impress nobody if they are wrong; precise words impress everybody. Instead of saying something was very big, decide whether it was vast, towering or immense — each paints a different picture. Keep a vocabulary notebook and record new words with an example sentence.

Key term — clause: A group of words containing a verb. A main clause makes sense alone; a subordinate clause needs the rest of the sentence.

Worked example: Clauses and Sentences

Identify the subordinate clause: Although it rained, we played on.

Although it rained.

Answer: Although it rained.

Common mistakes
  • Comma splices Joining two main clauses with only a comma is an error: It rained, we stayed in. Use a full stop, and, or a semicolon instead.
  • Using then instead of than Than compares (bigger than); then orders events (first this, then that). They sound alike but mean different things.

Practice

Which word class is quickly in the sentence She ran quickly?
It describes the verb.

Adverb.

What are the two jobs of the apostrophe?
Possession and...

Showing possession and showing missing letters.

Correct this comma splice: The bell rang, everyone left.
Try a full stop.

The bell rang. Everyone left. (Equally correct: The bell rang, so everyone left.).

Which is correct: the dogs bone or the dog's bone?
The bone belongs to the dog.

The dog's bone.

Quick check

Clauses and Sentences — quick check

Which of these best defines "clause"?

A group of words containing a verb. A main clause makes sense alone; a subordinate clause needs the rest of the sentence.

Give a more precise synonym for nice to describe a kind person.

Any precise alternative, e.g. kind, generous, compassionate.
Key takeaways
  • Clauses and Sentences: build simple, compound and complex sentences for different effects.
  • Vary your sentence types: Simple sentences hit hard.
  • subordinate clause: A clause that adds information but cannot stand alone, usually starting with because, although, when or which.
  • Watch out for: comma splices
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