Subordinate clauses
Use subordination (when, if, that, because) and co-ordination (or, and, but) to join clauses and create compound and complex sentences
Suggested ages 6–9
Learning journey
Your child is learning important grammar skills — understanding how to build more complex sentences, use punctuation correctly, and choose the right words to make their writing clearer and more interesting.
Evidence of understanding
- Write 'I stayed inside because it was raining' using a subordinating conjunction
- Use 'but' and 'or' to join ideas: 'I wanted to play but it was raining'
- Use 'when' and 'if' clauses in writing: 'If it stops raining, we can go outside'
Assessment prompt
When Subordinate clauses writes a story or a message, can they join two ideas with words like "because", "but", "when", or "if" — rather than writing every thought as a short separate sentence?
Standards alignment
L.1.1g
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
L.2.1f
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2
L.3.1h
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3
L.3.1i
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3
Subordination and co-ordination
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1
Subordination and co-ordination
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1
Extend range of sentences
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2