Analysing challenging texts with grammar
Spotting grammar isn't just about correcting mistakes — it's a tool for working out how tricky texts create meaning.
Part of your national curriculum
- Grammar and vocabulary: Extend and apply the grammatical knowledge set out in English Appendix 2 to analyse more challenging texts
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Extend and apply the grammatical knowledge set out in English Appendix 2 to analyse more challenging texts
Key learning points
- • Subordinate clauses
- • Passive voice
- • Modal verbs
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 16 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 16
Visual introductionPicture this
Analysing challenging texts with grammar
Spotting grammar isn't just about correcting mistakes — it's a tool for working out how tricky texts create meaning.
In a nutshell
Extend and apply the grammatical knowledge set out in English Appendix 2 to analyse more challenging texts
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 16
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Subordinate clauses
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 16
Learn
Subordinate clauses
In 'Although he pleaded innocence, the jury found him guilty,' the subordinate clause ('Although...') sets up contrast before the main clause delivers the verdict — the grammar itself builds tension before the reveal.
Reset break
Part 4 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 16
Learn
Passive voice
'The vase was broken' hides who broke it, unlike 'Tom broke the vase'. Writers use the passive voice deliberately — in a mystery, hiding the subject can keep the culprit ambiguous.
Quick check
Part 6 of 16
Quick check
Part 7 of 16
Reset break
Part 8 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 16
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Modal verbs
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 16
Learn
Modal verbs
Words like 'might', 'must' and 'could' show degrees of certainty. 'The suspect must have left by nine' sounds far more confident than 'The suspect might have left by nine' — noticing modals reveals how sure a narrator or witness really is.
Quick check
Part 11 of 16
Reset break
Part 12 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 16
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 16
Game · Recall cards
Which record is most useful for a new word?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 15 of 16
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Analysing challenging texts with grammar
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which record is most useful for a new word?
2. Why is ‘utilise’ often a weak substitute for ‘use’?
3. Which is a construction borrowed from reading?
4. Roughly when does a new word become part of your active vocabulary?
Lesson round-up
Part 16 of 16
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 16 · Watch & discover
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Extend and apply the grammatical knowledge set out in English Appendix 2 to analyse more challenging texts