2. Success Criteria
Aim
• Statement 1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing
elit.
• Statement 2
• Sub statement
Success Criteria
Aim
• I can recognise and use complex (multi-clause) sentences.
• I can recognise that a complex sentence contains a main (independent)
clause and at least one dependent clause.
• I can recognise two types of dependent clause: subordinate clauses and
relative clauses.
• I can use ‘I SAW A WABUB’ to remember some of the main subordinating
conjunctions to use in subordinate clauses.
• I can use relative pronouns/relative adverbs to create relative clauses.
• I can write my own complex sentences.
3. Getting Started
What is a main clause?
A main clause (or it could be called a simple sentence) is a group of
words that expresses one complete thought. Every main clause must
contain a subject and a verb. They can also be called independent
clauses.
Can you spot the subjects and the verbs in these
main/independent clauses?
The horse galloped.
Mr Richardson ate some cheese.
The horse galloped.
Mr Richardson ate some cheese.
The horse galloped.
Mr Richardson ate some cheese.
subject verb
4. Getting Started
What is a complex sentence?
A complex sentence is made up of a main clause and then
one or more dependent clauses.
There are two ways of creating dependent clauses:
• by using a subordinating conjunction (e.g. after) to create a
subordinate clause, e.g.
The horse galloped after it jumped the fence.
• by adding extra information using a relative clause.
Mr Richardson, who was feeling ravenous, ate some cheese.
5. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
Firstly, let’s look at creating complex sentences by using
subordinate clauses that begin with a subordinating
conjunction.
I S A W A W A B U B
is an acronym to help you remember the first
letters of some of the most important
subordinating conjunctions.
If Since As When Although
While After Before Until Because
6. before the holidays
Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
So, how do we use subordinating conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are the first words within a subordinate
clause. Subordinate clauses do not make sense on their own (they
are dependent) but when they are used with a main clause, they
create a complex (multi-clause) sentence.
Subordinate clauses will always have a subject and verb within them,
e.g.
before they left
subordinating
conjunction
subject
verb
is a subordinate clause
here ‘before’ is being used
as a preposition
is not a subordinate clause
I SAW A WABUB!
7. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
Can you spot the subordinate clause and the
subordinating conjunction in this complex
sentence?
I SAW A WABUB!
Juvenile penguins are able to
swim, although their feathers
aren’t yet waterproof.
Juvenile penguins are able to
swim, although their feathers
aren’t yet waterproof.
8. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
Can you spot the subordinate clause and the
subordinating conjunction in this complex
sentence?
I SAW A WABUB!
The boy scouts sang around
the campfire until it was time
for bed.
The boy scouts sang around
the campfire until it was time
for bed.
9. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
Can you spot the subordinate clause and the
subordinating conjunction in this complex
sentence?
I SAW A WABUB!
Hakim could win the talent
contest if he improved his
juggling skills.
Hakim could win the talent
contest if he improved his
juggling skills.
10. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
In the complex sentences we have looked at so far,
the subordinate clause has always come after the
main clause but watch…
I SAW A WABUB!
Juvenile penguins are able to
swim although their feathers
aren’t yet waterproof.
Although their feathers aren’t
yet waterproof, juvenile
penguins are able to swim.
11. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
I SAW A WABUB!
Although their feathers aren’t
yet waterproof, juvenile
penguins are able to swim.
Subordinating conjunctions can also be used as the first word
in a complex sentence. When the subordinate clause comes
before the main clause, make sure you remember to use a
comma to mark where the subordinate clause ends.
12. Next Steps: Subordinating
Conjunctions
Can you swap these sentences around so that the
subordinate clause comes before the main clause?
Don’t forget your commas!
The boy scouts sang around the
campfire until it was time for bed.
I SAW A WABUB!
Hakim could win the talent contest
if he improved his juggling skills.
Until it was time for bed, the boy
scouts sang around the campfire.
If he improved his juggling skills,
Hakim could win the talent contest.
13. Next Steps: Relative Clauses
Now, let’s look at creating complex sentences by using relative
clauses. Relative clauses are a different type of dependent
clause that give more detail about the subject of the main
clause.
Relative clauses begin with a relative pronoun or a relative
adverb. Here are some of the most common examples:
who which whose
whom that where
14. Next Steps: Relative Clauses
Can you spot the relative clause in this complex sentence?
What is the relative clause describing?
who which whose whom that where
Mysterious Malcolm, who is a children’s entertainer, wows his
audiences with his magic tricks.
Mysterious Malcolm, who is a children’s entertainer, wows his
audiences with his magic tricks.
The relative clause describes the ‘Mysterious Malcolm’ in
more detail. When a relative clause is embedded in the
middle of a sentence, we surround it with commas.
15. Next Steps: Relative Clauses
Can you spot the relative clause in this complex sentence?
What is the relative clause describing?
who which whose whom that where
The astronaut bounded towards the space buggy, which had
been parked in a crater.
The astronaut bounded towards the space buggy, which had
been parked in a crater.
The relative clause describes the ‘space buggy’ in more detail.
When a relative clause is dependent on the main clause, we
add a comma to demarcate it from the rest of the sentence.
16. Complex Sentence Hunt
Can you spot the complex sentences in this text?
How have they been created?
The sun was beginning to disappear behind the nearby
mountain. Philip’s heart sank as he knew he was lost. The
group of climbers, who Philip had started out with, were
nowhere to be seen. Philip shouted for help but it was
hopeless. While there was still a little light, Philip tried to make
himself a bed using leaves and twigs. The temperature, which
was now close to zero degrees, could be extremely hazardous.
If he couldn’t find a way to keep warm, he would be in serious
danger. It was going to be a long night.
The sun was beginning to disappear behind the nearby
mountain. Philip’s heart sank as he knew he was lost. The
group of climbers, who Philip had started out with, were
nowhere to be seen. Philip shouted for help but it was
hopeless. While there was still a little light, Philip tried to make
himself a bed using leaves and twigs. The temperature, which
was now close to zero degrees, could be extremely hazardous.
If he couldn’t find a way to keep warm, he would be in serious
danger. It was going to be a long night.
17. Complex Sentence Hunt
Why aren’t these sentences complex?
The sun was beginning to disappear behind the nearby
mountain…
This is just a main clause (or you might call it a simple sentence). It is
extended by using a prepositional phrase ‘behind the nearby
mountain’, but this doesn’t make it a complex sentence.
Philip shouted for help but it was hopeless.
This is a different type of multi-clause sentence: a compound
sentence. It has two main clauses that are joined by a co-ordinating
conjunction.
It was going to be a long night.
This again is just a main clause (simple sentence). It is still a good
idea to include some of these in your writing for effect.
18. Practise Your Skills
I SAW A WABUB!
Now, it’s your turn. Could you add a subordinate clause (using an I
SAW A WABUB! subordinating conjunction) to this main clause to
create a complex sentence:
my little sister is so irritating
Did you place your subordinate clause before or after the main
clause? Did you include the correct punctuation?
19. Practise Your Skills
I SAW A WABUB!
Now, it’s your turn. Could you add a subordinate clause (using an I
SAW A WABUB! subordinating conjunction) to this main clause to
create a complex sentence:
the dolphin jumped up from
the water
Did you place your subordinate clause before or after the main
clause? Did you include the correct punctuation?
20. Practise Your Skills
Now, it’s your turn. Could you add a relative clause (using a relative
pronoun or relative adverb) to this main clause to create a complex
sentence:
Tim Peake is a famous
British astronaut
Did you place you embed your relative clause within the
main clause or did you add the relative clause after it?
Did you include the correct punctuation?
who which whose whom that where
21. Practise Your Skills
Now, it’s your turn. Could you add a relative clause (using a relative
pronoun or relative adverb) to this main clause to create a complex
sentence:
The house on the hill
remained unsold
Did you place you embed your relative clause within the
main clause or did you add the relative clause after it?
Did you include the correct punctuation?
who which whose whom that where
22. Let’s Write
On the next few slides, we are going to spin the spinner so that
we have a particular subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun to use within a complex sentence about a specific
picture.
For example, if the
spinner landed on
‘as’...
As the children trekked through the misty woods,
they saw a light shining from a mysterious
building.
23. Let’s Write
Can you use a particular subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun to create a complex sentence based on this picture? Spin the
spinner to see which word you must use within your complex
sentence.
Click here to spin
24. Let’s Write
Can you use a particular subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun to create a complex sentence based on this picture? Spin the
spinner to see which word you must use within your complex
sentence.
Click here to spin
25. Let’s Write
Can you use a particular subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun to create a complex sentence based on this picture? Spin the
spinner to see which word you must use within your complex
sentence.
Click here to spin
26. Let’s Write
Can you use a particular subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun to create a complex sentence based on this picture? Spin the
spinner to see which word you must use within your complex
sentence.
Click here to spin
27. Quick Quiz: Question 1
Which of these examples are complex sentences?
Can you explain why?
Giraffes have very long necks, which they use to their advantage to
reach tall trees.
The alien approached the spaceship so the crew gasped.
Before lunch, Cassie cycled into town.
Before his Grandma arrived, Billy frantically tidied his bedroom.
Giraffes have very long necks, which they use to their advantage to
reach tall trees.
Before his Grandma arrived, Billy frantically tidied his bedroom.
28. Quick Quiz: Question 2
Complete the sentences below by adding your own subordinate clause
using your choice of subordinating conjunctions. Your dependent
clause can become before or after the main clause.
he had broken the world record
science is an interesting subject
29. Quick Quiz: Question 3
Can you tell me a relative pronoun or relative adverb that can be used
to create a complex sentence with a relative clause?
who which whose
whom that where
Can you use the word you chose within a complex sentence?
30. Success Criteria
Aim
• Statement 1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing
elit.
• Statement 2
• Sub statement
Success Criteria
Aim
• I can recognise and use complex (multi-clause) sentences.
• I can recognise that a complex sentence contains a main (independent)
clause and at least one dependent clause.
• I can recognise two types of dependent clause: subordinate clauses and
relative clauses.
• I can use ‘I SAW A WABUB’ to remember some of the main subordinating
conjunctions to use in subordinate clauses.
• I can use relative pronouns/relative adverbs to create relative clauses.
• I can write my own complex sentences.
