17 SENTENCE PATTERNS

17 SENTENCE 17 SENTENCE PATTERNSPATTERNS

When you write using the 17 sentence patterns, remember to……

Show, don’t tell

Practice

Use strong action verbsEX: Kelly sprinted home.

NOT: Kelly went home.

Use specific nounsTry to avoid pronouns

EX: The warriors fought.

NOT: They fought.

Use words that activate the 5 senses

Avoid linking verbs EX: Molly is pretty.

Avoid passive voiceWhy was the road crossed by the chicken?

The fish was caught by the seagull.

Avoid clichéLet the cat out of the bag

Hold your horses

Remember…. continued

Capitalize

Punctuate correctly

Always label your patterns

Write legibly

ASK QUESTIONS!

Pattern 1: Noun + Verb (Specific NOUN + Strong Action VERB)

There are 3 ways to do this pattern: NOUN – VERB

NOUN-VERB-ADVERB (an adverb is word that describes the

verb and usually ends in ly)

NOUN – VERB –PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE(a prep. Phrase begins with a preposition)

EX: on, under, at, in, above

Pattern 1: Sample Sentences

oThe computer exploded.

oThe sewing machine hummed rhythmically.

oHer diamond ring sparkled in the light.

oMy mother snores loudly.

Your turn

Write a sentence about something that happened in school using this pattern.

Noun, verb

Noun, verb, adverb

Noun, verb, prep phrase

Pattern 2: Noun – Verb - Noun

Pattern 2: Sample Sentences

The car crusher devoured the wrecked

cars

Our secretary typed the newsletter.

A bumblebee stung my sister.

The waiter dropped the tray of dishes.

Van Gogh painted sunflowers.

Your turn

Write a sentence about being woken up using that pattern.

The second noun receives the action.

Pattern 3: Interrogative

Interrogative comes from the word interrogate, which means to question.

Questions start with what, who, which, why, where, when, or how.

Remember to use specific nouns and vivid verbs even when you write a question.

Avoid linking verbs when you can.

Pattern 3: Sample Sentences What rules do good writers follow to produce

good writing?

When will English class end?

How many paintings did Picasso produce during this blue period?

Who drives the red Corvette?

Where did I park the van?

Your turn

Write a sentence using the interrogative pattern.

Pattern 4: Open with an Adverb

Information on adverbs: Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or

other adverbs. Adverbs describe how, when, where, or

why. Many adverbs end in –ly. When you open with an adverb, follow

with a comma.

Adverbs

Adverbs of Frequency

• alwayseveryneveroftenrarelyseldomsometimesusually

Adverbs of Place

• abroadanywheredownstairsherehomeinnowhereoutoutsidesomewherethereundergroundupstairs

Adverbs of Manner

• carefullycorrectlyeagerlyeasilyfastloudlypatientlyquicklyquietly

Adverbs of Time after

alreadyduringfinallyjustlastlaternextnowrecentlysoonthentomorrowwhen

while

Adverbs of Purposebecausesinceaccidentallyintentionallypurposely

Pattern 4: Sample Sentences

Carefully, the doctor removed the splinter from my

hand.

Yesterday, the cooks served pizza.

Cautiously, the trick or treaters opened the squeaky

door.

Confidently, Jill marched to the podium.

Exuberantly, the crowd roared and thrust their arms

into the air.

Your turn

Write a sentence about driving using this pattern.

Start with an adverb

Don’t forget the comma

Pattern 5: Open with a Prepositional Phrase

Information on Prepositional Phrases: When you open a sentence, the prepositional phrase

will be an adverb phrase describing the verb by how, when, where, and why.

DO NOT CONTAIN VERBS.

May or may not need a comma. A short prepositional phrase does not need a

comma. A long prepositional phrase or 2 prepositional

phrases placed together need a comma. Sometimes you have to make an educated guess.

List of Prepositions

List of Compound Prepositions

According to By means to For the sake of In consideration of In respect to Out of Along side of By reason of In addition to In opposition with In spite of With reference to

Along with By way of In accordance with In front of Instead of With regard to Because of Contrary to In case of In regard to On account of With respect to

Pattern 5: Sample Sentences With total confidence, the guard launched a three

pointer to win the game.

In the morning the chef cut the lemons.

In the corner of the classroom, stands the teacher.

On the beach the family enjoyed the morning sun.

Because of the ice storm, Grandpa stayed home.

More Sample Sentences Underline the prepositional phrase and

determine if the sentences need a comma.

Under the desk next to the trashcan my cat naps

frequently.

For dinner my mother cooked lasagna.

For dinner tonight my mother cooked lasagna.

In the middle of the night I awoke to a screeching noise.

With great care the mother bandaged the child’s wound.

Your Turn

Write a sentence using the prepositional phrase pattern. Decide if your sentence needs a comma.

Pattern 6: Use an Appositive

Information on appositives:

An appositive comes behind the noun it describes

Follows any noun in the sentence, no matter where it’s located

do not have verbs

can have adjectives attached

renames the noun

Pattern 6: Sample Sentences The singer, a blues crooner, sang at Blueberry

Hill.

Many people attended the funeral of Jane Smith, the mayor’s wife.

My mother bought a new outfit, a pair of jean shorts, and a pink T-shirt.

Puck, a mischievous fairy, served Oberon, the king of the fairies.

Pattern 6: Use an Appositive (Continued)

Helpful hint: Many adjective clauses can be turned into sentences with appositives.

My brother, who is an airplane pilot, lost his job. Why does this NOT work? It has a verb… take that out…

My brother, an airplane pilot, lost his job.

The horse, which is an appaloosa, can jump hurdles.

The horse, an appaloosa, can jump hurdles.

Your turn

Write a sentence using an appositive.

Pattern 7: Using Parallel Structure in Words

Also known as…

A LIST!

Why is it called parallel structure then?

All the words in the list need to follow the same form

But don’t forget to include….

Pattern 7: Sample Sentences

• Terry brought mangos, peaches, and pears from her garden.

• Mom bought chips, soda, and hamburgers for the picnic.

• Mom bought, packed, and wrapped a frozen pie for the picnic.

• She listened, discussed, and made her decision on which college to attend.

Your turn

Write a sentence using the parallel structure pattern.

Pattern 8: Open with an Adjective

What’s an adjective?• An adjective describes a noun.• Adjectives tell WHAT KIND, WHICH ONE, HOW

MANY, or HOW MUCH. • The opening adjective will always describe“what

kind” for this pattern.• Adjectives do not end in “ly”.

Information on Pattern 8:

• The opening adjective needs to be set off with a comma.

• The opening adjective will describe the subject of the sentence if you have written it correctly.

Pattern 8: Sample Sentences• Ecstatic, the audience clapped their hands.

• Energetic, the racer crossed the finish line.

• Frightened, the puppy hid under the porch.

• Cynical, the older man mistrusted the doctor’s diagnosis.

• Overconfident, the hare lost the race to the tortoise.

Your turn

Write a sentence opening with an adjective.

Pattern 9: Compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction Coordinating conjunctions:

and yet or

but so

for nor

You can easily remember them by using FANBOYS.

A compound sentence is made up of 2 complete, related sentences joined together.

needs a comma before the conjunction

Pattern 9: Sample Sentences

I was looking for my white rabbit, but he was hiding under the table.

NOT…

Grandpa left the house, and took his cane.Why is this wrong???

No subject in the second sentence

He took is cane.

Your turn

Write a sentence that is actually…

2 complete sentences joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction.

Pattern 10: Compound Sentence with a semi-colon.

A compound sentence: 2 complete, related sentences

The semi-colon connects the two sentences.

DO NOT capitalize the word that comes after the semi-colon.

Pattern 10: Sample Sentences

The tired runner turned the corner; a competitor passed him on the straightaway.

Our baseball team competed in the state tournament; they won the first-round game.

George Washington served as our first president; Abraham Lincoln served as our sixteenth president.

Your turn

Write a sentence that is actually…

2 complete sentences joined by a semi-colon.

Sentence Pattern 11 and 12: Open/Close with an Adverb

Clause• Information on Adverb Clauses:

• Start with a subordinating conjunction• Contain a noun and a verb

• #11: Open with an adverb clause: starts with a subordinating conjunction and must use a comma between the two clauses.

• #12: Close with an adverb clause: If the subordinating conjunction appears in the middle, you do not need a comma.

Pattern 11 &12: Open/Close with Adverb Clause

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSAfter

Although

As

As if

As long as

As though

Because

Before

Even if

Even though

If

If only

in order that

Now that

Once rather than

Since

So that

Than

that

Though

Till

Unless

Until

When

Whenever

Where

Whereas

Whenever

while

Adverb clause…

Adverb clause:After I fell off my bike,

Now that we reviewed for the test,

If left alone, the subordinating clause leaves you thinking… so what happened??

• What happened after you reviewed for the test?

• Now that we reviewed for the test, we have a better chance of getting an A.

Pattern 11: Sample Sentencesopen w/ adverb clause

• As if he could read the other player’s mind, the guard stole the basketball on the pass.

• After the child fell from the boat, the Labrador leaped into the water.

• Because they sold their house, my parents lived in a camper for five months until they completed their new house.

• Although pizza is my favorite, I decided to order spaghetti.

• While my husband watched the football game, I read a book.

Your turn

Write a sentence that starts with an adverb clause. Use a subordinating conjunction:

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSAfter

Although

As

As if

As long as

As though

Because

Before

Even if

Even though

If

If only

in order that

Now that

Once

rather than

Since

So that

Than

that

Though

Till

Unless

Until

When

Whenever

Where

Whereas

Whenever

While

Pattern 12: Sample Sentencesclose w/ adverb clause

• The guard stole the basketball on the pass as if he could read the other player’s mind.

• The Labrador leapt into the water after the child fell from the boat.

• My parents lived in a camper for five months because they sold their house.

• Angela ran faster than Rachel did.

• Every afternoon, Andrew stares at the television until his mother arrives home from work.

Your turn

Now switch it to a sentence closing with adverb clause OR create a new sentence ending with an adverb clause.

Pattern 13: Use Parallel Structure in Phrases and

ClausesWhat’s parallel structure again?

Yes! Using the same form for each word in a list

THIS TIME, you use the same form for the phrases or clauses

…boiled water, cooked pasta, and burned garlic bread…

…Mark spelled the words, Cindy typed them, and Lina printed it…

Pattern 13: Sample Sentences

• The Habitat for Humanity volunteers hung sheetrock, painted siding, and poured concrete.

• The principal created the rule, the teachers enforced it, and the students complied.

• The doctor instructed me to take my medicine in the morning, at lunchtime, and before bedtime.

Unparallel and Parallel StructureCan you fix it?

UNPARALLEL

•In winter I usually like skiing, sledding, and to skate.

•The math teacher asked that we complete our work quickly, accurately, and with careful attention to detail.

•Football fans praise a quarterback’s speed, skill, and how agile he is.

PARALLEL

•In winter I usually like skiing, sledding, and __________.

•The math teacher asked that we complete our work quickly, accurately, and ________________.

•Football fans praise a quarterback’s speed, skill, and __________________.

Your turn

Write a sentence using parallel structure in phrases or clauses

Pattern 14: Open with an Adjective Phrase

Information

• An adjective phrase begins with an adjective and is followed by a prepositional phrase.

• Remember, a phrase does not contain a verb; then, it would be a clause.

• Similes or comparisons that use like or as may be used in this pattern (as long as no verb is used). (Examples: proud as a peacock or grumpy like a wet cat.)

• The adjective phrase will be set off with a comma.

• The adjective phrase describes the subject of the sentence.

Pattern 14: Sample Sentences

• Excited as a child in a chocolate factory, Sheila waved her arms and jumped up and down. (simile)

• Worried because of the hurricane, our landlord boarded up the windows of our condo.

• Sick with worry, my sister asked her neighbors to please help find her kitten.

• Afloat with confidence, the homecoming queen tripped on the steps and fell.

• Proud of his accomplishments, my son waved his diploma in the air.

Your turn

Write a sentence opening with an adjective phrase.

Pattern 15: Use a Restrictive Adjective Clause

Information on adjective clauses

Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns: who, that, whose, which, where, when.

Adjective clauses can follow any noun; they do not have follow the subject.

Information on Restrictive adjective clauses

Restrictive clauses usually follow a common noun

Non-restrictive clauses often follow proper nouns.

The restrictive clause cannot be eliminated from the sentence because it gives vital information.

Restrictive adjective clauses do NOT have commas.

Pattern 15: Sample Sentences

• The girls that failed the test could not play in the next soccer game.• The restrictive clause tells the reader exactly which

girls cannot play. If the restrictive clause is removed, it would become unclear as to which girls could not play in the next game.

Oprah bought a Corvette for each employee who had worked for her over ten years.

The restrictive clause tells exactly which employees received cars. If the restrictive clause is removed, it becomes unclear which employees received the cars.

You will find the hammer in the place where you last used it.

The restrictive clause tells the reader where the hammer is located. If the restrictive clause is removed, it would become unclear as to where the hammer is located.

June is the month when all the beaches open. The restrictive clause tells the reader when the beaches

open. If the restrictive clause is moved, it would become unclear as to when the beaches open.

Crystal is the student whose sister is Beth. The restrictive clause tells the reader that Crystal's sister is

Beth. If the restrictive clause is removed, it would become unclear as to whose sister is Beth’s.

Your turn

Write a sentence with a restrictive adjective clause.

Pattern 16: Non-restrictive Adjective clause

Information on adjective clauses:

Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns: who, that, whose, which, where, when.

Adjective clauses can follow any noun; they do not have to follow the subject.

Information about non-restrictive adjective clauses:

Non-restrictive clauses often follow a proper noun.

Non-restrictive clauses often follow a noun that names a specific person.

The clauses are NOT NEEDED in the sentence- they just provide extra information.

These clauses MUST be set off by commas.

Pattern 16: Sample Sentences

Mark McGwire, who set a home run record, now lives in California.

Central High’s superintendent, who drives a PT Cruiser, purchases a new car every 5 years.

The fair, which is an annual event, is sponsored by local merchants

Mel vacations in Buck County, which is in Pennsylvania. Notice that you can throw away the clause and

everyone still knows exactly who or what you are talking about.

Your turn

Write a sentence with a non-restrictive clause.

Remember you can take it out and still know what is going on or who you are talking about

Pattern 17: Compound Sentence with a Conjunctive

Adverb A compound sentence: 2 complete, related

sentences joined together.

The sentences are joined by a semi-colon (like pattern 20).

SEMI-COLON+ CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB +COMMA.Conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, afterwards, also, consequently, however, indeed, likewise, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, similarly, still, therefore

Pattern 17: Sample Sentences

My mother forgot her cell phone; consequently, she could not call me from her car.

I ate too much lasagna for dinner; nevertheless, I found room for ice cream.

Puppies make good pets; however, they require constant attention.

Your turn

Write a compound sentence that uses a semi-colon—conjunctive adverb—comma.