Talking in full sentences

English · Early Years · The School

From one word to a sentence

"What did you have for lunch?" — "Pasta." True, but small. A full sentence says: "I had pasta for lunch." Speaking in full sentences trains the pattern your writing will need, which is why teachers gently ask for the whole thing. Turn three one-word answers into full sentences today.

And, because, but

Three little words grow a sentence into an idea. AND adds ("I had pasta and an apple"). BECAUSE gives a reason ("I chose pasta because I was hungry"). BUT shows a surprise ("I like pasta but not the sauce"). Because is the most powerful — it turns what you did into why you did it.

Taking turns

A conversation has turns like a game: you speak, I listen, I speak, you listen. Listening properly means looking at the person and not planning what to say next. Then ask a question back — that is how a conversation keeps going instead of stopping after your turn.

"What did you have for lunch?" — "Pasta." Full sentence: "I had pasta for lunch." — "Where is your bag?" — "Over there." Full sentence: "My bag is on the hook." — "Who did you play with?" — "Sara." Full sentence: "I played with Sara at break." Each one has someone doing something. Now add a joining word to one of them: "I had pasta for lunch BECAUSE it is my favourite."

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