© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 291 of 15 Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting...

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Complex SentencesYear 8 Sentence Starters

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Contents


Introduction to complex sentences

Joining clauses

Adverbial clauses

Adding punctuation

Colons and semicolons

Writing complex sentences


Complex sentences – Introduction to complex sentences

Introduction to complex sentences



What are complex sentences?

Hey guys, do you know what complex sentences are?


What are complex sentences?


The subordinate clauses tell us more about the idea in the main clause.Complex sentences are punctuated in different ways depending on where the subordinate clause is positioned.

They are sentences that contain a main clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Complex sentences need not be complex to understand.

For example:After waking up late, Tom missed his bus.

Complex sentences


Complex sentences – Joining clauses


Joining clauses


when if after unless

before although until though

because while since

To combine one clause with another, a linking word is used to introduce the new clause. These linking words are called connectives. These words are useful when you are combining clauses to make complex sentences:

Joining clauses


Joining clauses


Complex sentences – Adverbial clauses

Adverbial clauses



Verbs tell us about actions, e.g. He closed the door.

Adverbs tell us how actions are done, e.g. He closed the door quickly.

Sometimes we write a group of words to tell us more about the verb, e.g. He closed the door quickly because he was afraid the rain would get into the house.

These groups of words are called adverbial clauses.

They help us to understand more about an action.

They explain about… where, when, why, how, how much.

They make our writing more precise and informative.

Adverbial clauses

Adverbial clauses are a specific type of subordinate clause.


after

although

as

because

before

for

unless

until

when

where

while

Tom could improve his descriptive writing by using complex sentences which include adverbial clauses. They are often introduced by these words called connectives:

Adverbial clauses


Adverbial clauses

Tom has written a paragraph describing his most recent football match.

The referee blew his whistle. The opposition took possession of the ball and ran towards our goal. My team’s defender tackled the opposition and kicked the ball to me. I ran towards their goal and then I passed the ball to my friend. The ball was kicked above their goal box. I headed the ball into the goal – I scored!

Rewrite his paragraph and add some adverbial clauses to make the paragraph more descriptive and exciting to read.


Complex sentences – Adding punctuation

Adding punctuation



Adding commas

When a connective begins the sentence, a comma should be placed before the clause it introduces.

For example:

Although he was exhausted, Max was determined to finish his revision.


If you are tired you should have a rest.

Before you can watch TV you must do your chores.

Unless you practise you won’t pass your music exam.

Because she was ill Sally couldn’t play outside.

Decide where a comma is needed in these sentences:

,

,

,

,

Adding a comma

Did you put them in these places?


As you become more skilled at English, you will experiment with different ways of forming sentences.

You may decide to put an adverbial clause in the middle of the sentence. You will then need two commas.

For example:

Her mother insisted that, before she could go out, Megan had to do her homework.Max said that, if he had time, he would mow the grass.Lei knew that, unless she stopped talking, the teacher would give her a detention.

Adding pairs of commas


Lei was happy after buying her new dress.

Tom was mad because his football match was cancelled.

Max liked reading late at night until he had to wear glasses.

Megan loves eating hamburgers although they are unhealthy.

You don’t need to add any commas if you end a sentence with a subordinate clause which is introduced by a connective, e.g.

When not to add commas


When to add a comma

However, you do need to add a comma if you end a sentence with a subordinate clause which is not introduced by a connective, e.g.

Tom loves to play football, especially when it’s sunny.

We have a slight problem, to put it mildly.

My house was burning before my eyes, blazing red fire.

The whistle blew and the runners began to move, sprinting forwards as a group.


How many commas are needed?


Commas revision

Now rewrite them with the correct punctuation.



Colons and semicolons are useful forms of punctuation because they can make your sentences sound precise.

A colon (:) introduces an explanation, detail or example about the sentence preceding it, e.g.

The weather was awful: wet, windy and cold.

The colon is placed directly after the final word of the main clause and is followed by a space. It may introduce one word or a phrase.

Write five sentences with colons in them.


Semicolons

Semicolons are used to join two complete sentences together when they are too similar to be written individually – they can replace connectives (and, but, because, however etc.), e.g.

Megan was sad; Mogg was ill.

Max likes reading; Tom likes football.

Lei loves boy bands; Lei hates metal.The semicolons are placed directly after the last word of the

first sentence and are followed by one space.

They link the two sentences into one sentence, instead of using a connective, to sound concise.

Write five sentences with semicolons in them.



Colons and semicolons should not be confused because they create different meanings from the same words, e.g.

Some people are rich. Some people are poor.A full stop states that the sentences above are two unrelated

events: some people are rich and some people are poor.

Some people are rich: Some people are poor.Some people are rich; Some people are poor.

A colon turns the two events into the same event: some people are rich because some people are poor.

A semicolon links the two events but not precisely: some people are rich because/and/however etc. some people are poor. The semicolon works like a connective but it leaves it to the reader to decide what the sentence means.

Write two sentences then link them with a colon and then a semicolon. Do the meanings change?


Punctuating complex sentences activity


Complex sentences – Writing complex sentences

Writing complex sentences



Write five sentences about the haunted house below including an adverbial clause in the middle. Then rewrite them with the adverbial clause at the beginning and at the end.

Writing descriptively

Do you need to make any changes to the punctuation?


Writing to debate

Adverbial clauses are good to use in creative writing to provide more detail about what somebody is doing.

They are also useful in formal writing, when you are giving your opinions or exploring an issue.

Use connectives to link your main clauses to your additional information (subordinate clauses) and try to include some colons and semicolons for style.

Write a paragraph giving your opinions on one of the following topics:

Animal testingNuclear powerUFOsWar

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 291 of 15 Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting...

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