LESSON OUTCOMES:
Grade 5 • Revise the terms main clause and subordinate
clause.
English • Learn about and understand the terminology –
(Lesson: 2) Independent and Dependent clauses.
• Learn about and understand coordinating and
Simple, Compound subordinating conjunctions.
and Complex • Using this background, learn about and reflect
Sentences the ability to identify simple, complex and
compound sentences.
Let’s break up sentences:
A sentence can be broken up into a main and subordinate
clause.
A clause = A group of words that contain at least a subject and
a verb.
• The main clause = Can stand alone and make complete
sense. It contains a subject and a verb.
• The subordinate clause = relies on the main clause to make
sense. They are dependent on the main clause to make sense
– they cannot stand alone.
When the cake is brown, take it out of the oven.
Let’s step it up. Are you okay?
Now that we understand main and subordinate clauses … let’s
step it up again!
• A main clause can also be called an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
• A subordinate clause can also be called a DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
Remember:
1. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE - can stand alone and make sense! It
contains a subject and a verb. (The word INDEPENDENT means
to be able to do things on your own!)
2. DEPENDENT CLAUSE - relies/depends on the independent
clause to make sense. It cannot stand alone. (The word
DEPENDENT means you rely on someone – you are your mom
and dad’s dependents!)
CONJUNCTIONS! (Connectors)
Conjunctions are important when joining clauses. Conjunctions are
joining words, however, there are different types of conjunctions!
1. Coordinating conjunctions = join two independent clauses.
Example:
I told her to leave for I was tired.
2. Subordinating conjunctions = Joins an independent and a
dependent clause.
Example:
You can go first as you are the oldest.
Here’s an easy way to remember the different
conjunctions!
Subordinating
Coordinating Conjunctions:
Conjunctions:
TYPES OF SENTENCES
SIMPLE, COMPLEX AND COMPOUND
SIMPLE SENTENCES
A simple sentence contains a subject (noun) and
a v e r b.
• It expresses a complete thought.
Example:
The boys went to school.
We like MacDonald’s.
• A simple sentence is also called an independent clause!
COMPOUND SENTENCES
• A compound sentence contains two or more independent
clauses (simple sentences) joined by a coordinating
conjunction.
Example:
The boys went to school, so they did not play PlayStation.
We like McDonalds and we like RocoMamas.
• Look for these conjunctions:
COMPLEX SENTENCES
• A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a
dependent clause.
• A dependent clause begins with a subordinating
conjunction.
Subordinating conjunction
Example:
Because the boys went to school, they did not play PlayStation.
Dependent clause Independent clause
• Look for these conjunctions:
MAKE NOTES
COMPOUND SENTENCE Simple Sentence Complex SENTENCE
A compound sentence contains two or A simple sentence contains a subject A complex sentence contains an
more independent clauses (simple and a predicate. independent clause and a dependent clause.
sentences) joined by a coordinating It expresses a complete thought. A A dependent clause begins with a
conjunction. simple sentence is also called an subordinating conjunction.
independent clause!
The subject = the person or thing
that did the action.
The predicate = is the remainder of
the sentence.
Let’s Try – Are these two simple or complex?
• The teachers miss their classes because they
bring such joy!
• Because they could not come to school, the
children worked at home.
Your turn – come to the board
• State whether the following sentences are Simple (S) or
Complex (C) in the space provided to the left.
1. Mom likes to cook.
2. I need to do my homework before I eat supper.
3. I like reading recipe books.
4. She likes reading recipe books because she loves to cook.
5. The weather is strange today so I am going to stay inside
and bake.
Write the date and heading – Language Books
Activity 1 – Complex or Compound
State whether the following sentences are compound or complex.
1. They finished practice early and they went for ice-cream.
2. Your mom cleaned your room while you were out.
3. After the end of the movie, they wanted more popcorn.
4. I would love to help, but I have to work.
5. Before you answer the door, look who it is through the window.
6. Do you want an ice-cream sundae, or would you prefer some cake?
7. Liam studied hard because the test was tomorrow.
8. We should leave for the movie since you are here.
9. They hurried through supper, so they could have dessert.
[Link] can’t write her story unless her pencil is sharp.
Write the date and heading – Language Books
Activity 2 – Simple, Complex or Compound
Read the following paragraph and state whether the sentences are
simple, compound or complex. Write the numbers 2 – 10 down your margin
and just the words: simple, complex or compound next to the number. The
first one has been done for you!
The little girl has three dogs. (1) (simple) Skippy eats grass and he runs
around all day. (2) ____ Skippy plays more than all the other dogs because he
has the most energy. (3) ____ Lazybones hates playing. (4) ____ She sleeps in
her bed and relaxes in the sun. (5) ____ She loves to sit. (6) ____ She doesn’t
eat a lot because she doesn’t have much of an appetite. (7) ____ Rocky plays a
lot. (8) ____ He loves playing fetch and he enjoys going on walks (9) ____ He is
the youngest puppy since he is only two months old. (10) ____ All of the dogs
are nice to people. (11) _____
MEMO
ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2
1. Compound The little girl has three dogs. (1) (simple) Skippy eats
2. Complex grass and he runs around all day. (2) (compound)
3. Complex Skippy plays more than all the other dogs because he
4. Compound has the most energy. (3) (complex) Lazybones hates
5. Complex playing. (4) (simple) She sleeps in her bed and relaxes
6. Compound in the sun. (5) (compound) She loves to sit. (6) (simple)
7. Complex She doesn’t eat a lot because she doesn’t have much
8. Complex of an appetite. (7) (complex) Rocky plays a lot. (8)
9. Compound (simple) He loves playing fetch and he enjoys going
[Link] on walks (9) (compound) He is the youngest puppy
since he is only two months old. (10) (complex) All of
the dogs are nice to people. (11) (simple)
