Main & Dependent Clauses Worksheets is a scaffolded literacy resource that supports students in developing a strong understanding of how main and dependent clauses work together to create complex sentences. By identifying, analysing, and creating their own clauses, students will strengthen their grammar skills and improve their ability to construct varied and engaging sentence structures.

Through a step-by-step approach, students first practise identifying main and dependent clauses within a range of example sentences. They then apply this knowledge by adding dependent clauses to simple sentences, forming complex sentences that expand on ideas and add detail. Finally, students respond to written questions that encourage them to think critically about the role clauses play in effective writing.

The Main & Dependent Clauses Worksheets can be used during whole-class grammar lessons, in small group rotations, or for independent practice. The variety of tasks and clear layout make this resource ideal for supporting differentiation, while also allowing for easy integration into broader writing units.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify main and dependent clauses within sentences
• ✅ Combine clauses to form complex sentences
• ✅ Understand the role of subordinating conjunctions in linking ideas
• ✅ Analyse how sentence structure impacts meaning and clarity
• ✅ Apply knowledge of clauses to create engaging and varied writing

What’s Included:

• Worksheet 1: Identifying main and dependent clauses
• Worksheet 2: Adding dependent clauses to simple sentences
• Worksheet 3: Written response questions on clause use
• Answer key for quick marking

Materials Needed:

• Printed worksheets
• Pens or pencils
• Highlighters or coloured pencils for clause identification

How to Use:

1. Begin by introducing the difference between main and dependent clauses.
2. Students complete Worksheet 1 by identifying clauses in sample sentences.
3. On Worksheet 2, they practise adding dependent clauses to simple sentences.
4. Students complete Worksheet 3, answering comprehension-style questions to reflect on clause use.
5. Review as a class or in pairs to reinforce understanding.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as part of a grammar mini-lesson within a writing unit
• 💡 Add to literacy rotations for independent reinforcement
• 💡 Pair with a clause sorting game for hands-on engagement
• 💡 Provide as targeted support for students needing grammar consolidation
• 💡 Use colour coding to make main and dependent clauses visually distinct

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Encourage students to read sentences aloud to check fluency and clarity
• 💛 Model examples using real-world text extracts to show clauses in context
• 💛 Differentiate by providing sentence starters for less confident writers
• 💛 Laminate worksheets for reuse in literacy centres
• 💛 Incorporate peer review to build collaborative editing skills

This resource is part of our Year 5 English Unit: Complex Sentences and is perfect for developing clause knowledge and applying it to real writing tasks.