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Improving Sentences with Clauses

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Improving Sentences with Clauses

Read each sentence carefully. A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause adds information but does not make complete sense on its own.

Spot the clauses

Look for a subject and a verb in each clause.

1.Which sentence contains a subordinate clause?

The fire engine gleamed in the sunlight.
Rory checked the hose before the crew left.
Hollie and Callum packed the equipment.

2.In “Although the alarm was loud, Callum stayed calm”, write the subordinate clause.

3.Tick every word that could introduce a subordinate clause.

while
because
beside
if
although
the

4.Match each sentence part to its clause type.

The crew sounded the alarm
when the smoke appeared
Hollie opened the station doors
because the engine was ready
Callum carried the kit
while Rory checked the map

Subordinate clause
Main clause
Subordinate clause
Main clause
Subordinate clause
Main clause

Build complex sentences

Join the ideas with a suitable subordinating word. You may place the subordinate clause at the start or the end.

5.Combine these ideas into one complex sentence: “The rain eased. The firefighters went outside.” Use “when”.

6.Join these ideas into one complex sentence using “because”: “Rory put on his coat. The evening was cold.”

7.Join these ideas into one complex sentence using “although”: “Hollie was tired. She finished checking the equipment.”

8.Complete the sentence with a subordinate clause beginning with “before”: “The crew checked their radios …”

Choose vivid words

Improve the sentences with precise vocabulary and a subordinate clause.

9.Replace “big”, “went” and “quickly” with more vivid words, then add a subordinate clause: “The big fire engine went quickly down the road.”

10.Improve this sentence by replacing “ran fast” with vivid vocabulary and adding a subordinate clause: “Callum ran fast.”

11.Write one complex sentence about a firefighter responding to a call. Include a main clause, a subordinate clause and at least two vivid describing words.