Clauses, Modality and Punctuation: Year 6 Study Guide
Good control of sentences helps writers be precise, clear and persuasive.
A clause contains a verb. A main clause can stand alone; a subordinate clause adds information and cannot. A relative clause gives extra detail about a noun (The boy who won the race is my cousin). Using a variety of clauses lets writers pack in detail without choppy sentences.
Modality shows how certain, likely or necessary something is, using modal verbs (may, could, should, must, will), adverbs (perhaps, definitely) and adjectives (possible, essential). Compare 'We might help' with 'We must help'.
Modality scale
| Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|
| might | should | must |
| perhaps | probably | certainly |
| possible | likely | essential |
Punctuation toolkit
Comma: lists, after introductory phrases, around extra information. Colon: introduces a list or explanation (You will need: paper, scissors and glue.). Dash and brackets: add extra information (Mia (my sister) is coming). Apostrophe: contraction or possession. Quotation marks: speech and titles of short works.
Where do you pause?
Comma, colon, dash…
List, extra detail or speech?
Is it clearer?
Verb tenses and agreement
Use tense consistently within a text. Simple past (walked), present (walks), future (will walk), continuous (was walking) and perfect (has walked). Subject and verb must agree: The team is winning but The players are winning. Avoid starting every sentence the same way.
Worked example and common mistakes
Example: 'The river, which flooded last year, could rise again.' This has a relative clause set off with commas and a modal verb. Common mistakes: run-on sentences, misplaced apostrophes (it's vs its) and using a colon after a verb. Proofread for each type of error separately.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. 'because it rained'. 2. Must. 3. You will need: eggs, flour and milk.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Main clauses can stand alone.
- Modality shows certainty.
- Colons introduce lists and explanations.
- Keep tenses consistent.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Underline the subordinate clause: We left because it rained.
- Which has higher modality: might or must?
- Add punctuation: you will need eggs flour and milk
Print lined paper for writing →