Progression in Sentences – Sentence Types
Howden-le-Wear Primary School
April 2014
Type
Definition
Example
Oral
sentence.
At this early stage, we are
encouraging children to give all
information in complete sentences.
Please can I choose a book?
I would like a carton of milk.
Through teacher modelling and
vocabulary development, children
will learn to add adjectives.
Can I ride on the big bike?
Short
sentences.
Short
descriptive
Conjunction
(Compound)
(Complex)
Question
(simple)
Short sharp
(simple)
Connective
(complex)
Moving on to extending sentences
using simple connectives.
A simple statement or question.
A simple sentence with
 A powerful verb
 An adjective
 An adverb
 All of the above
2 simple sentences that are joined
together by a balanced conjunction
to form a compound sentence.
A compound sentence is created when two
simple sentences are joined together with
and, but, or and so. Each clause has equal
weight.
However, when conjunctions such as:
although, after, while, since, though, when,
which, until, because, than , that, unless are
used in sentences they produce complex
sentences.
A question that the writer can use
to ‘grab the reader’s attention’.
Short sentences designed to add
impact to a piece of writing.
Sentences that begin with a
connective.
List
Sentences that contain a series of
actions.
Adverb
Sentences that begin with an
adverb.
Sentences that contain speech.
(complex)
(complex)
Speech
(simple)
(complex)
I went to the shop and bought some sweets.
What time is it?
I have a new car.
I am going swimming tonight.
The waves crashed onto the shore.
The young boy walked home.
The boy nervously walked home.
The vicious dog snapped angrily at Jack.
It was late but she wasn’t tired.
Jack closed the door and walked down the path.
People should not smoke because it causes lung
cancer.
I ate my breakfast, while my younger brother
struggled to free himself from his chair.
Children should not be given mobile phones, until it
can be guaranteed that they do not cause brain
damage.
Have you ever been to the theatre?
Was he alone?
It was silent.
He was gone.
As quick as a flash, I jumped up and dashed from my
hiding place.
Consequently, children are too tired to work in school
during the day.
Jack entered the classroom, slammed the door,
pulled out his chair, picked up a chewed pencil and
began to write furiously.
Anxiously, Laura stared at the stony floor below.
Suddenly, the boat plunged sideways.
“Where are you going?” Jessica mumbled to her mum.
Progression in Sentences – Sentence Types
Howden-le-Wear Primary School
April 2014
Extra
information
Sentences that have added
information between commas either
at the beginning, middle or end of
the sentence.
as
Sentences that either begin or end
with a clause.
ing
Sentences that begin with verbs
ending with ‘ing’
Preposition
Sentences that begin with a
preposition
Sentences that begin with verbs
ending with “ed”
(complex)
(complex)
(complex)
Ed
Beginning: Tired of waiting on his own, Michael
followed the queue into the stadium.
Middle: The charity event, which will be held on
Thursday, is to raise money for the NSPCC.
End: I walked along the street, shivering with fear.
Beginning: As I scanned the deserted island, the
sound of wild animals filled my ears.
Ending: James curled up into a ball, as his parent’s
raised voices filtered into his room.
Looking rather lost she pulled a letter from her bag.
Running along the lane, Jack became aware that he
was being followed.
Under the bed lived a huge spider.
Exhausted from his long day at work, the man
collapsed.