Reading & writing · Grades 3–6
Complete sentences and clear boundaries
Identify independent clauses and revise punctuation without losing meaning.
Learn the idea
Complete clause
A simple complete sentence normally expresses a complete thought with a subject and a finite verb.
Fragment
A dependent clause can need another clause to complete its meaning.
Joining
Two independent clauses can be separated with a full stop or joined with suitable punctuation and a conjunction.
Read aloud
Check meaning after revision. Punctuation should clarify the intended relationships.
Worked examples
Which is a complete sentence?
The first has a subject, a finite verb and a complete thought.
The lantern flickered.
Which revision correctly separates two sentences: “Mira packed her bag she left early”?
The revision preserves both complete thoughts.
Mira packed her bag. She left early.
Check your understanding
Write the subject of “The small dog barked.”
Which word can complete “I wanted to run, ___ the path was closed” with a contrast?
- before
- because
- but
Turn “Although the bus was late” into a complete sentence.
Answers and marking notes
Answers and marking notes
- The small dog
The subject names what performed the action; the entire noun phrase is requested.
- but
But signals contrast between the desire and the obstacle.
- Although the bus was late, we arrived before the show.
Accept a grammatical main clause that completes the intended contrast.
Independent educational review required. Grade bands are approximate; these are not officially aligned curricula.