Sentence Types and Word Classes
Sentence types and word classes is the KS2 skill of identifying whether a sentence is a statement, question, command or exclamation, and whether it is simple, compound or complex, alongside naming word classes such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions and conjunctions. It is a core part of the Year 6 SATs grammar, punctuation and spelling test and helps pupils vary their own writing.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Learn the four sentence functions: statement, question, command and exclamation, and the end punctuation each one needs (full stop, question mark or exclamation mark).
- Learn to tell apart the eight word classes by asking what job a word does in the sentence (naming, doing, describing, and so on).
- Classify a sentence as simple (one clause), compound (two main clauses joined by 'and', 'but' or 'or'), or complex (a main clause plus a subordinate clause).
- Find the subordinating conjunction (e.g. 'because', 'although', 'when') that starts a subordinate clause, since it signals a complex sentence.
- When asked to combine sentences, choose a coordinating conjunction for equal ideas and a subordinating conjunction to show cause, time, contrast or condition.
- Check your finished sentence still makes sense and uses correct punctuation, such as a comma after a fronted subordinate clause.
Worked example
Combine these two sentences into one complex sentence, starting with the subordinating conjunction 'Because': 'The tide was rising. The fishermen packed up their nets.'
- Identify the two simple sentences and decide which one explains the cause and which one is the result.
- The cause is 'The tide was rising' and the result is 'the fishermen packed up their nets'.
- Begin the new sentence with the subordinating conjunction 'Because' followed by the cause clause.
- Add a comma after the fronted subordinate clause, then attach the main clause.
- Final answer: Because the tide was rising, the fishermen packed up their nets.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Tick whether each sentence is simple, compound or complex. (a) 'The kite flew high above the beach.' (b) 'Although the wind dropped, the kite stayed up.' (c) 'The wind dropped and the kite drifted down.'
Combine these two sentences into one compound sentence using a coordinating conjunction: 'The rain stopped. The children ran outside.'
Read this sentence: 'The old clock ticked loudly in the empty hall.' Explain how the adverb 'loudly' adds to the reader's understanding of the setting, and identify one other word class used in the sentence, giving an example.
Free printable worksheet
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