📚 Part 1: Identifying Sentence Types

Remember: Simple = one main idea | Compound = two main ideas joined by and/but/or | Complex = main idea + dependent clause with subordinating conjunction

1. Read each sentence and identify its type:

a) The rugby team trained hard because they wanted to win the regional championship.

Simple

Compound

Complex

b) The farmers checked their cattle, and they repaired the fence.

Simple

Compound

Complex

c) Although the weather was terrible, we still went to the school fair.

Simple

Compound

Complex

2. Tick all the subordinating conjunctions you can find:

because

and

although

but

since

while

✏️ Part 2: Sentence Combining & Punctuation

Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, use a comma before the main clause!

3. Combine these simple sentences into complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction in brackets:

a) The kiwi birds were active at night. We couldn't see them during our day visit. (because)

b) The netball team was losing at half-time. They came back to win the match. (although)

4. Fix the punctuation in these complex sentences:

a) While the students were on camp they learned about native birds

b) The school bus was delayed because there was flooding on the main road

🌟 Part 3: Create Your Own Complex Sentences

5. Complete these sentence stems to create complex sentences:

a) Although it was raining heavily, ________________________________

b) ________________________________ because we live in a rural area.

6. Extension Challenge: Write two complex sentences about life in the Manawatu. Use different subordinating conjunctions and remember your punctuation!

Subordinating conjunctions to try: since, when, if, unless, though, whereas

Super Extension: Can you write a complex sentence that has TWO dependent clauses? Challenge yourself!