Remember
- A main clause can stand as a sentence; a subordinate clause depends on it.
- Choose conjunctions for cause, contrast, condition or time.
- Do not join two independent sentences with only a comma.
Build sentences with clauses
Hi, I am Pip! Welcome to Build a sentence. Let’s join ideas with clauses and conjunctions, and spot statements, questions, commands and exclamations. Best for Years 3–5.
The clause building yard
Pip says: Some sentence bricks can stand on their own; others need a friend! Let’s join them so the reader can follow our ideas.
Build the reason onto the main clause
- We shelteredMain clause
This can stand as a sentence.
- becauseJoining word
This introduces a reason.
- the rain beganReason to attach
Together, “because the rain began” depends on the main clause.
Pip builds an example
Our joined sentence
We sheltered because the rain began.
We shelteredMain clausebecauseConjunctionthe rain beganReason to attach
We sheltered because the rain began.Complete sentence
- Find the steady brick“We sheltered” makes a complete statement on its own.
- Attach the reason“Because the rain began” cannot stand alone here. It tells us why we sheltered.
- Test the joinBecause shows a reason. When would show time instead, so the joining word matters.
Your turn
Say your answer first. Tap an object to check, then tap again to close it.
Clause brickCan “The owl waited” stand as a sentence?Tap to check · tap again to close
Main clauseYes.It tells us what the owl did.
Clause brickCan “because the gate was shut” stand alone here?Tap to check · tap again to close
Needs a main clauseNo.The reader needs the main idea that this explains.
Clause brick“We stayed indoors ___ it rained.” Which gives a reason: because or although?Tap to check · tap again to close
Reason joinBecause.It tells us why we stayed indoors.
Clause brick“___ the path was muddy, we continued.” Which marks contrast: Although or Because?Tap to check · tap again to close
Contrast joinAlthough.They continued despite the muddy path.
Clause brickIn “When the bell rang, we left”, which part can stand alone?Tap to check · tap again to close
Main clauseWe left.That is the main clause.
Clause brick“Under the bridge”: a complete clause or a place phrase?Tap to check · tap again to close
Place phraseA place phrase.There is no verb telling us what happens.
Clause brick“Close the door.” Is that a command?Tap to check · tap again to close
CommandYes.It tells someone what to do; the understood subject is “you”.
Clause brickSpot Pip’s mistake: “The path was muddy, we continued.” Does it need a better join?Tap to check · tap again to close
Sentence join: fixedYes: “The path was muddy, but we continued.”But shows the contrast with a joining word.
Paper challenge
Cut out three paper strips with main clauses and three with because, when or although clauses. Match them into sentences. Read each main clause on its own to check it stands.
Pip says: You have tried the idea. Ready for another go? Try English practice.
Short lesson
A clause is built around a verb. Look for a verb and its subject; in a command, the subject you is usually understood. “Close the gate” is a clause. “Under the old bridge” is a phrase without a verb.
A main clause can form a complete sentence on its own: “The dog waited.” A subordinate clause depends on a main clause: “because the gate was shut”. Joining these tells us why the dog waited.
Co-ordinating conjunctions such as and, but and or link equal elements. Subordinating conjunctions such as because, although and when introduce a dependent clause. Pick the relationship you mean: cause, contrast, condition or time.
A relative clause adds information about a noun: “The scarf, which was still damp, hung by the fire.” Here the commas mark extra information. Do not put commas around every relative clause: “The scarf that I borrowed is blue” identifies which scarf.
A sentence may function as a statement, question, command or exclamation. End punctuation helps, but it is not the whole test. “Stop!” is a command. A grammatical exclamation such as “What a remarkable bird that is!” has a different structure.
Worked example
Two ideas: “The path was muddy. We continued.” To express contrast: “Although the path was muddy, we continued.” “We continued” is the main clause; “Although the path was muddy” cannot stand alone here. Replacing although with because changes the relationship, not just the style.
Common mistakes
Do not join two complete sentences with only a comma: “The door opened, we stepped inside.” Use a full stop, a suitable conjunction or, later, a correctly used semicolon.
Try it
Have a go on paper or say your answer aloud, then open the answer.
Foundation
Which is a complete sentence: “Beyond the wooden fence” or “The fox waited beyond the wooden fence”? Explain what the first lacks.
Show answer 1
“The fox waited beyond the wooden fence” is a complete sentence. The first item is a preposition phrase and has no verb or complete clause. It could be a short conversational answer, but it is not a complete sentence in this task.
Core
Identify the main and subordinate clauses: “Because the bus was late, we walked to the museum.”
Show answer 2
Main: we walked to the museum. Subordinate: Because the bus was late. The second supplies a cause and depends on the main clause.
Core
Join “The room was small” and “It felt welcoming” using a conjunction that shows contrast. Keep both ideas.
Show answer 3
Examples: “The room was small, but it felt welcoming.” “Although the room was small, it felt welcoming.” Accept another grammatical contrast, such as yet. “Because” alone expresses cause, not the required contrast.
Core
Add an extra-information relative clause about the suitcase: “The suitcase stood in the hallway.” Include suitable punctuation.
Show answer 4
Example: “The suitcase, which had a broken handle, stood in the hallway.” Accept a grammatical relative clause adding extra information about the suitcase, correctly enclosed in commas. Avoid treating a clause about the hallway as an answer about the suitcase.
Stretch
Label each sentence's function and explain why an exclamation mark alone is insufficient: A. “Please wait here.” B. “Did the train arrive?” C. “What a splendid view this is!” D. “The train has arrived.”
Show answer 5
A: command; B: question; C: exclamation; D: statement. Their grammatical forms and purposes determine the labels. A command can end in “!” and remain a command. C has a What a… exclamative construction, rather than being classified only by its final mark.
Printable revision box
Pip’s tip: Read each clause. Check that your conjunction expresses the relationship you mean.
Check yourself
Read your sentence aloud. Does the conjunction express the relationship you intend? Does every dependent clause have a main clause to connect to?