English // Grammar & Punctuation

Subordinate clauses

Use subordination (when, if, that, because) and co-ordination (or, and, but) to join clauses and create compound and complex sentences

Ages
6 to 9
Type
Method
Builds on
4 topics
Leads to
10 topics
Standards
7 codes

Quick check

When the learner writes a story or a message, can they join two ideas with words like "because", "but", "when", or "if" — rather than writing every thought as a short separate sentence?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Write 'I stayed inside because it was raining' using a subordinating conjunction
  • Use 'but' and 'or' to join ideas: 'I wanted to play but it was raining'
  • Use 'when' and 'if' clauses in writing: 'If it stops raining, we can go outside'

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

4 topics
  • Building sentencesRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 4 to 6

    Must understand sentences before combining clauses

  • Joining Words with 'And'Required

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 5 to 7

    Must be able to join with 'and' before learning subordination and other co-ordinating conjunctions

  • Listening and respondingHelpful

    Speaking & Listening // Ages 4 to 11

    Listening skills support understanding complex sentence structures

  • Four Types of SentencesHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 6 to 7

    Understanding sentence types supports creating complex sentences

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Subordinate clauses

Ages 6 to 9 // Method

Leads to

10 topics
  • Expressing Time, Place and CauseRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 7 to 8

    Time/cause conjunctions extend Y2 subordination/co-ordination

  • Relative ClausesRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 10

    Relative clauses extend subordination; learners must understand how subordinate clauses work before embedding relative clauses

  • Fixing Fragments & Run-OnsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 10

    Recognising fragments and run-ons requires understanding how independent and dependent clauses combine; subordination/coordination knowledge is essential

  • Commas Before Joining WordsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 11

    Learners must understand coordinating conjunctions joining clauses before learning the punctuation rule for compound sentences

  • Varying Sentence StructureRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Sentence crafting builds on clause knowledge

  • Punctuating ClausesRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Semi-colons between clauses requires understanding of independent clauses

Show all 10

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
L.1.1gL.2.1fL.3.1hL.3.1i
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
Eng.App2.Y2.Sent.1Eng/KS1/Y2/VGP/2dEng_LKS2_Write_VGP_1

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