Sentence Pattern
Simple SentenceCompound SentenceComplex Sentence
Simple Sentence
•Simple Sentence = a single clause
•A clause = a subject + a predicate
•Subject = agent/topic of the sentence’s action
•Predicate = verb [+object/modifier/complement]
Harry Potter is a wizard.
Vampires, werewolves, and zombies do not usually get along.
Compound Sentence
•2 or more independent clauses
•Conjunction [FANBOYS] with a COMMA
Example Vampires drink blood.
Werewolves eat meat.
Vampires drink blood, but werewolves eat meat.
Elena doesn’t want to be a vampire.
She doesn’t want to kill people.
Elena doesn’t want to be a vampire, for she doesn’t want to kill people.
Complex Sentence•2 clauses
•Independent clause
•A subject & a verb that make a complete thought
•Dependent clause
•Always needs to be attached to an independent clause
•Makes incomplete thought when standing alone
Adverb Clause
•Cause/effect: because, since, as
•Comparison/contrast: although, whereas, while
•Condition: if, unless
•Time: since, as, when
Example Ronaldo wanted to be a footballer.
He is now a model.
Although Ronaldo wanted to be a footballer, he is now a model.
Although Ronaldo wanted to be a footballer>> dependent clause
Relative clause
•Used to modify a noun
•Clause starts with
•Who, whom, which, whose, where, when, why
Messi is a world’s best footballer.
He plays for FC Barcelona.
Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona, is a world’s best footballer.
Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona >> incomplete sentence
Errors
•Fragment
•Comma splice
Fragment
•Incomplete sentence
•Missing a subject/verb
•Missing a clause
Comma Splice
•A comma is NOT used to join sentences
•Use CONJUNCTION to join sentences
Sam and Dean are vampire hunters.
Walking leisurely in a garden
James, who likes playing basketball
Missing S or V
No predicate
Although we study hard
Because it is fictional
Fragment > only dependent clause
Fragment > only dependent clause
Jack plays computer games, Jill reads comic books.
Comma splice