Grammar Mastery
Strong grammar is the foundation of clear, effective writing and speaking. At Year 7 level, students develop mastery of sentence types, clauses, punctuation, and grammatical conventions.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
A simple sentence has one independent clause; a compound sentence has two joined by a conjunction
A complex sentence has an independent clause and one or more subordinate (dependent) clauses
Subordinating conjunctions: although, because, while, since, unless, if, when, after, before
Active voice: the subject performs the action. Passive voice: the subject receives the action
Correct use of semicolons: to join two related independent clauses; or to separate list items with internal commas
Key Vocabulary
Clause
A group of words containing a subject and a verb; may be independent or subordinate
Subordinate Clause
A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence; it depends on the main clause for meaning
Active Voice
A sentence construction where the subject performs the action (e.g. The dog chased the cat)
Passive Voice
A sentence construction where the subject receives the action (e.g. The cat was chased by the dog)
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Which sentence is a complex sentence?
Question 2
Change this sentence to passive voice: "The student wrote the essay."
Question 3
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●A simple sentence has one independent clause; a compound sentence has two joined by a conjunction
- ●A complex sentence has an independent clause and one or more subordinate (dependent) clauses
- ●Subordinating conjunctions: although, because, while, since, unless, if, when, after, before
- ●Active voice: the subject performs the action. Passive voice: the subject receives the action
- ●Correct use of semicolons: to join two related independent clauses; or to separate list items with internal commas