Basic Sentence Patterns

1
Basic Sentence Patterns
2
Pattern 1 A simple sentence has only one
independent clause.

• Example I reminisce about the days
• of old with that old time rock and roll.

• An independent clause must
• have a subject,
• have a verb,
• and express a complete thought.

3
Correcting Fragments

• Make sure your sentence
• has a subject,
• has a complete verb, and
• expresses a complete thought.
• Example Sitting on the dock of the bay watching
  the tide roll away.
• Correction Im sitting on the dock of the bay
  and watching the tide roll away.

4
Pattern 2 A compound sentence can be formed
with a coordinating conjunction.

• f
• a
• n
• b
• o
• y
• s

• ,for
• ,and
• ,nor
• ,but
• ,or
• ,yet
• ,so

We got a little crazy, but we never got caught.

• Not 2 Im sitting on
• the dock of the bay and
• watching the tide roll
• away.

5
Pattern 3 A compound sentence can be formed
with a semicolon.

Independent clause independent clause. Love me
tender love me true.
6
Pattern 4 A compound sentence can also be
formedwith a conjunctive adverb.

• however,
• consequently,
• furthermore,
• therefore,
• then,
• now,
• nevertheless,

I simply remember my favorite things then, I
dont feel so bad.
7
Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

• Run-on The devil went down to Georgia he was
  looking for a soul to steal.
• Comma splice The devil went down to Georgia,
  he was looking for a soul to steal.

8
Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

• Correction using Pattern 1 The devil went
  down to Georgia. He was looking for a soul to
  steal.
• Correction using Pattern 2 The devil went
  down to Georgia, and he was looking for a soul to
  steal.

9
Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

• Correction using Pattern 3 The devil went
  down to Georgia he was looking for a soul to
  steal.
• Correction using Pattern 4 The devil went
  down to Georgia furthermore, he was looking for
  a soul to steal.

10
Pattern 5 A complex sentence needs a comma if
the dependent clause is before the independent
one.

• Subordinating conjunctions
• after
• although
• as
• because
• before
• if

Dependent clause, independent clause. If I
leave here tomorrow,
would you still remember me?
11
Pattern 6 No punctuation is needed when the
dependent clause is after the independent one.

• Subordinating
• conjunctions
• since
• unless
• until
• when
• whereas
• while

Independent clause dependent clause. Would
you still remember me if I leave here tomorrow?
12
Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

• Run-on The devil went down to Georgia he
  was looking for a soul to steal.
• Comma splice The devil went down to Georgia,
  he was looking for a soul to steal.

13
Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

• Correction using Pattern 5 When the devil
  went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul
  to steal.
• Correction using Pattern 6 The devil went
  down to Georgia because he was looking for a soul
  to steal.

14
Correcting Fragments

• Example of a fragment that is a dependent clause
  When my soul was in the lost and found.
• Example of fragment created by an incorrect
  semicolon When my soul was in the lost and
  found you came along to claim it.
• Correction using Pattern 5 When my soul was in
  the lost and found, you came along to claim it.
• Correction using Pattern 6 My soul was in the
  lost and found when you came along to claim it.

15
Combining the Basic Sentence Patterns

• When Im feeling sad, I simply remember my
  favorite things.
• I simply remember my favorite things then, I
  dont feel so bad.
• When Im feeling sad, I simply remember my
  favorite things then, I dont feel so bad.
• Patterns 5 and 4

Pattern 5
Pattern 4