An Overview of English Sentence Patterns
Feb 05, 2016
An Overview of English Sentence Patterns
An Overview of English Sentence Patterns
In its simplest form, an English sentence has two parts:
a subject, anda verb
that express a complete thought when they are together.
Subject
The subject shows who or what is doing the action.
It is always some form of noun or pronoun.
Verb
The verb shows the action or the state of being.
It can be an action verb, like “run,”or a state verb, like “seem.”
Wayne slept.
Dogs bark.
Examples
Most sentences are rarely so short.
We usually want to convey much more information, so we modify the main subject and verb with other words and phrases.
Unfortunately, Wayne slept poorly last night.
Dogs bark louder after midnight.
Examples
Despite the extra information, each of the previous example sentences has one subject and one verb, so it’s still just one clause.
What’s a clause?
A clause is the combination of a subject and a verb.
Pretty easy, isn’t it?
Well . . .
Clauses
Two types of Clauses
Independent and Dependent
Independent Clauses
Independent Clauses make a complete thought.
They can stand on their own,because they make sense!
Dependent Clauses
Dependent Clauses do not make a complete thought.
They always need to be attached to an independent clause, because they are too
weak to stand on their own.
The 4 Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence
Sentence Patterns
Every sentence pattern combines clauses in a different way.
Try not to favor one particular pattern, otherwise your writing might become
boring!
Tip
Because nouns perform so many functions in a sentence, it’s easier to analyze
sentence patterns by finding the verbs and connectors1.
1Connectors – Conjunctions and other connecting words.
Conventions
In the following descriptions,S=Subject and V=Verb.
Options for arranging the clauses in each sentence pattern are given in parentheses
– for example, (SV.)
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
One independent clause (SV.)
Mr. Han teaches English.
I see.
Linda and Ann arrived at the bus station before noon and left on the bus before I
arrived.
Compound Subject
Compound Verb
Simple Sentences are not necessarily short!
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 1)
Two or more independent clauses.
(SV, and SV.)
Connectors with a comma (Conjunctions)
The FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 1)
Mr. Han teaches English at HIT, but I’ve never had him for a class.
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 2)
Two or more independent clauses.
(SV; however, SV.)
Connectors with a semicolon and comma (Conjunctive Adverbs):
also, in addition, besides, consequently, finally, for example, furthermore, however, in fact, instead, meanwhile,
moreover, otherwise, still, then, therefore, thus
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 2)
I see; however, that seems strange.
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
One independent clausePLUS one or more dependent clauses.
(SV because SV.)
(Because SV, SV.)
(S, because SV, V.)
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
Connectors are always at the beginning of a dependent clause.
(SV because SV.)
(Because SV, SV.)
(S, because SV, V.)
I highly recommend eating chocolate because it tastes so good.
Although I love chocolate, I won’t eat any while I’m on a diet.
Mr. Han, because he can’t stick to his diet, has become pleasantly plump.
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence
Two or more independent clausesPLUS one or more dependent clauses.
(SV, and SV because SV.)
(Because SV, SV, but SV.)
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence
Because I love learning Chinese, I study every day, but I don’t get enough practice
speaking.
(Because SV, SV, but SV.)
The 4 Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence