Clauses and phrases · Year 3

In Year 3 you learn: clause or phrase: look for the verb; main and subordinate clauses.

A clause is a group of words with a verb (and usually a subject): the dog barked. A phrase is a group of words without a verb: after lunch, the old red bus. A main clause makes sense on its own; a subordinate clause starts with a word like because, when or if and depends on the main clause.

Key facts

  • Clause or phrase? Look for a verb: when the bell rang (verb rang: a clause); during the storm (no verb: a phrase).
  • Main clause: We stayed inside (it makes sense alone). Subordinate clause: because it was raining (it doesn't).
  • Subordinating conjunctions start subordinate clauses: because, when, if, although, while, until, after, before, since, unless.

Worked examples

Example 1

Clause or phrase? after we had finished

Answer: a clause

Example 2

Find the main clause: Although she was tired, Amira finished her homework.

Answer: Amira finished her homework

Example 3

Does it have a verb? Clause or phrase: the big red bus, the bus stopped

Answer: the big red bus is a phrase; the bus stopped is a clause

Example 4

Underline the subordinate clause: We played inside because it was raining.

Answer: because it was raining

Other years