Key Stage 2 homework help

Sentence types

A SIMPLE sentence (also called a main clause) is a sentence that contains a subject and one verb.  They can be sorted into 4 different types – statement, command, exclamation and question.

Put your book in your bag. (command)

What is your name? (question)

The boy was called Peter. (statement)

What a huge elephant! (exclamation – they always start with ‘what’ or ‘how’)

A COMPOUND sentence is made up of two simple sentences joined with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so).  The sentences must make sense on their own if the conjunction is removed.

The shark circled the man and it opened its large jaws.

Sarah put on her coat but she forgot to get her hat.

The acrobat was about to fall so she screamed for help.

A COMPLEX sentence is made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause.  The main clause makes sense by itself but the subordinating clause does not.  A subordinate clause always starts with a subordinating conjunction (because, if, as, when, although, even though…).

Peter ate a burger because he was hungry.

The mouse ran into the hole as the cat was chasing it.

My mum cuddled me when I was feeling poorly.

COMPLEX sentences can be written using the subordinate clause first but a comma must be added to separate the clauses.

When it was snowing, we built a huge snowman.

Even though she was terrified, Marie touched the snake.

If it is windy, I will not use my umbrella.

A LIST sentence uses commas and a conjunction to separate items.  The conjunction always comes before the final item.

Sarah was feeling nervous, excited and apprehensive about starting her new school.

Inside the haunted house there were hairy spiders, dusty skeletons, eerie sounds and black cats.

I packed a swimming costume, beach ball, towel and sun tan lotion into my bag.