Packing two ideas into one sentence

Languages · Grammar Across Languages · ages 14-16

Name ______________________ Date ____________

In the book that you lent me, what does the second part do?
- Asks a new question
- Ends the sentence early
- Points back to the book
Which group of words is a clause?
- Because it rained
- Under the wet bridge
- Rain, heavy
In a complex sentence the main clause can stand alone.
Circle one: True False
We left because it rained becomes we left although it rained. What changed?
- Only the spelling
- The meaning, from reason to contrast
- The number of nouns
She said that she was tired. What happened to the clauses?
- Both clauses ask questions
- The verbs disappeared
- One clause nests inside another
In every language the joined clause keeps English word order.
Circle one: True False
Join these: the rain fell. We stayed home. What is the smooth result?
- We stayed home because the rain fell
- We stayed home rain fell
- Because we stayed home rain
You must point back to a person. Which pointer fits?
- Which
- Who
- Because

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Points back to the book · That you lent me describes the book. Pointing back is relative work.
Because it rained · Only the first group carries its own verb. That verb makes it a clause.
True · The leaning clause needs its partner. The main clause survives alone.
The meaning, from reason to contrast · Because reasons, although concedes. Swapping the word swaps the sense.
One clause nests inside another · That she was tired sits inside what she said. That nesting is reported speech.
False · Joined clauses often move the verb, so each joining word brings its own order rule.
We stayed home because the rain fell · Because glues the reason clause to the main clause in one smooth sentence.
Who · Who points at people. Which points at things, and because joins, not points.