Sentence Patterns Made Easy Your Step-By-Step Guide to Varying Sentence Structure!!

Sentence Patterns: What are they? How we write Talking v. Writing: What’s the difference? Now what?

Before We Start: Things to Know Dependent Clause: –Sometimes called a “subordinate” clause –Can NOT stand on its own Ex: Because Odysseus was too curious… Independent Clause: –CAN stand on its own as a complete sentence Ex. Odysseus was an excellent soldier.

Pattern #1. Simple Sentence Contains only one independent clause –Ex. Homer told The Odyssey in three days. –This powerpoint presentation is awesome.

Pattern #2 The Compound Sentence Consists of two independent clauses joined by (a) a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or (b) a semicolon. Some coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet. (Hint: F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.) –Ex. Odysseus was into Calypso, but Hermes told him it was time to go home. –Ex. Polyphemus wasn’t very smart; he was blinded by Odysseus and lost all of his sheep.

Pattern #3 The Complex Sentence Consists of one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause Subordinate clauses are formed by beginning with a subordinating conjunction: after, although, as, as if, as long as, because, before, if, in order that, provided that, since, so, so that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, while, etc.

Pattern #3 Complex Sentences Cont. Ex. Polyphemus ate goat cheese and drank milk all day because he was so hungry. Ex. Odysseus was about to get home until his ego got in the way. Ex. Odysseus should get home safely provided that Odysseus follow Tiresius’ instructions. Ex. Penelope remains faithful to Odysseus although many men are trying to get with her.

Pattern #4 Begin with an Adverb Adverbs are words that describe action. They end in “–ly” After your adverb, don’t forget a comma! –Ex. Wisely, Homer avoided donuts when telling The Odyssey. –Ex. Foolishly, the student didn’t include a comma after starting with an adverb! –Ex. Hilariously, that student was marked down considerably.

Pattern #5 Begin with an Infinitive Phrase An infinitive is the form of the verb beginning with the word “to.” The infinitive phrase is a subordinate clause and should end with a comma. –Ex. To be sure the Cyclops was bind, Odysseus and his men ground the poo spear in his eye. –Ex. To sail home safely, Odysseus planned on following the directions given to him by Tiresius.

Pattern #6 Begin with Adverb Clause Thinking about pattern #3 (Complex Sentences), these sentences begin with a dependent clause (sometimes called a “subordinate” clause, remember?) Pattern #6 is basically the same, except you must start your sentence with a subordinating conjunction. Remember that subordinating conjunctions include words like after, although, as, as if, as long as, because, before, if, in order that, provided that, since, so, so that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, while

Pattern #6 Begin with an Adverb Clause –Ex. Before Odysseus returned home, all of his men had to die. –Ex. Because she had been locked up most of her life, Nousica’a was very interested in Odysseus –Ex. Whenever Odysseus had the chance to brag about himself, he took it. –Ex. Although he was a powerful king, Alcinous obeyed the laws of Xenia like everyone else (minus Circe and Polyphemus, of course).

Final Assignment: Use a ½ sheet of paper and write your name, date, and hour In 10 minutes, use all six sentence patterns and write a paragraph commenting on your efforts in English class this semester. Good luck!