KS2 English Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling Flashcards

What is the grammatical term for 'However' when used at the start of a sentence to link ideas?

Answer: Adverbial

When 'However' begins a sentence and links to the previous idea, it functions as a sentence adverbial (also called a cohesive device or connective). It modifies the whole sentence and shows contrast.

Which of these is a compound word?

Answer: football

A compound word is formed by joining two separate words together. 'Football' = 'foot' + 'ball'. Other compound words include 'sunshine', 'bedroom', and 'rainbow'.

What does 'expand the noun phrase' mean in: 'the dog' → 'the enormous, shaggy dog'?

Answer: Adding adjectives or other modifiers to a noun

Expanding a noun phrase means adding adjectives, prepositional phrases, or relative clauses to give more detail about the noun. 'Enormous' and 'shaggy' are adjectives that expand 'the dog'.

Which word is a preposition in: 'The cat sat under the table'?

Answer: under

A preposition shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and other words, often indicating position or direction. 'Under' tells us where the cat sat in relation to the table.

What is the effect of using short sentences in a piece of writing?

Answer: To create tension or impact

Short sentences create tension, urgency, or dramatic impact in writing. They draw the reader's attention and can make events feel fast-paced. Writers use them deliberately for effect, especially in action or suspense.

Which sentence uses brackets correctly?

Answer: The Amazon (the longest river in South America) flows to the Atlantic.

Brackets are used to add extra or parenthetical information that could be removed without changing the main meaning. 'The longest river in South America' is additional detail that sits correctly within brackets.