See free Year 4 fronted adverbials worked examples with clear strategies and answers, aligned to the England primary curriculum.
Model the thinking
Four worked examples
Try each question first, then compare the strategy and answer. The aim is to understand the method, not just copy the final result.
1
Identify
Find the fronted adverbial: 'Before sunrise, the hikers left camp.'
How to think about it: Identify the sentence feature first, apply the rule only where it is needed, then reread the whole sentence aloud to check that the meaning and punctuation are clear.
Show answer
Answer: Before sunrise
2
Comma
Add punctuation: 'Without warning the lights went out.'
How to think about it: Identify the sentence feature first, apply the rule only where it is needed, then reread the whole sentence aloud to check that the meaning and punctuation are clear.
Show answer
Answer: Without warning, the lights went out.
3
Time
Start a sentence with a time fronted adverbial.
How to think about it: Identify the sentence feature first, apply the rule only where it is needed, then reread the whole sentence aloud to check that the meaning and punctuation are clear.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Later that afternoon, ...
4
Place
Start a sentence with a place fronted adverbial.
How to think about it: Identify the sentence feature first, apply the rule only where it is needed, then reread the whole sentence aloud to check that the meaning and punctuation are clear.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Beyond the gate, ...
Next step
Turn the explanation into practice
Use the printable for independent work, or return to the topic overview to choose another way to practise.