Two types of clause | English | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Match the word class to its meaning.
- noun
  
  ⇔
  
  a naming word for a person, place or thing ✓
- verb
  
  ⇔
  
  a doing, being or having word ✓
- adjective
  
  ⇔
  
  a word that describes a noun ✓
- adverb
  
  ⇔
  
  a word that describes a verb ✓
What are the verbs in this sentence? 'We waited impatiently and we looked at the clock.'
- we
- waited ✓
- impatiently
- looked ✓
- clock
Which of these groups of words contain a verb?
- we strode down the street ✓
- the long, winding street
- as the sun shone brightly ✓
- the distant, golden sun in the bright sky
Which of these groups of words do not contain a verb?
- because we had eaten all the food
- a huge pile of delicious, warming food ✓
- into a vast, dark cave of glittering jewels ✓
- he cautiously entered
Which of these groups of words could be complete simple sentences?
- which was very dark
- we entered the cave ✓
- how would we find our way out ✓
- who was very scared
Which of these groups of words could not be complete simple sentences?
- as we shuddered in fear ✓
- the darkness seemed to cover us completely
- while we waited ✓
- we huddled together in fear

Which of the groups of words below are main clauses?
- we tried our best to finish the race ✓
- as we stumbled around the track
- when we reached the finish line
- Sam raised her arms in triumph ✓
Which of the groups of words below are subordinate clauses?
- which was very difficult ✓
- we all enjoyed the PE lesson
- when Mrs Begum blew her whistle ✓
- the children froze
Which of the following are true for a main clause?
- It contains a verb. ✓
- It contains no verb.
- It makes complete sense. ✓
- It could be a simple sentence on its own. ✓
Which of the following are types of subordinate clause?
- main clause
- phrase
- relative clause ✓
- adverbial clause ✓
Which of the following subordinate clauses are relative clauses?
- before we could finish
- which we did not finish ✓
- who loved to watch tennis ✓
- as we watched the tennis match
Which of these sentences contain an adverbial clause?
- We all clapped when Jun won the race. ✓
- Alex, who came second, shook his head in disappointment.
- As Aisha reached the finish line, she smiled happily. ✓
- The race, which was over in seconds, was the last one of the day.

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Any clause is a group of words that contains a verb.
A main clause is a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense.
A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb that does not make complete sense.
There are different types of subordinate clause.
Any type of subordinate clause must be joined to a main clause to make sense.

Pupils may not understand that relative and adverbial clauses are two types of subordinate clause.

Emphasise that relative and adverbial clauses are both subordinate, but they are differentiated by their starting word and use in sentences.

Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
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