5 Sentence Patterns: Option Sheet Understanding Clauses: Writing Compound and Complex Sentences

Note: There are two types of clauses--Independent and Dependent A group of words which contains a subject and a verb Not him! Note: There are two types of clauses--Independent and Dependent

“Independence Hall is in Philadelphia.” Independent Clause Contains a subject and a verb Independence Hall It can stand alone, makes sense by itself, and has a period at end of clause. “Independence Hall is in Philadelphia.” subject verb

Dependent Clause Contains a subject and a verb Can’t stand alone! It cannot stand alone, does not make sense by itself, and cannot have a period. “When he broke his leg” subject verb Note: This phrase leaves us wondering, “What happened when he broke his leg?” This is a fragment!

Compound Sentences–Option #1 Two independent clauses joined by a comma and one of the FANBOYS: , for , and , nor , but , or , yet , so “The twins are short, and they have curly hair.” subj verb subj verb

Compound Sentence—Option #2 Two independent clauses joined by-- a semi-colon only ;  + semi-truck colon “The two independent clauses need to be closely related; the ideas are linked by the semi-colon.” Note: For a two page paper, maybe, possibly, perhaps you could use ONE semi-colon. Do not over use semicolons.

Compound Sentence–Option # 3 Two independent clauses joined by a semi-colon + conjunctive adverb + comma “The puzzle is not hard; however, pieces were missing.” independent clause conjunctive independent clause adverb Note: The following slide contains a list of conjunctive adverbs.

In Option #3 conjunctive adverbs can JOIN two independent clauses . ; consequently, ; furthermore, ; however, ; indeed, ; in fact, ; moreover, ; nevertheless, (always one word!) ; then, ; therefore, “Hank feels conjoined to his computer; indeed, if he were on a desert island, he would want his computer as much as a drink of water!”

Complex Sentences–Option #4 Remember—an independent clause can stand alone, but a dependent clause must be attached to an independent clause. complex math! A complex sentence happens when An independent clause is followed  by a dependent clause. There is NO comma. “I ate Mom’s cookies because they were so yummy.” independent clause dependent clause

Complex Sentence—Option #5 A complex sentence happens when-- Mom A dependent clause comes before the independent clause. There IS a comma. “Because they were so yummy, I ate Mom’s cookies.” dependent clause  independent clause Note: A comma must separate the dependent clause from the independent clause. The following slide contains a list of dependent words.

Dependent Words Which Start Dependent Clauses Some classic words used to START dependent clauses: after unless although until Classic art as (as if) when because whenever before whereas if while since “Because she had no clothes, Minerva caught a cold.” dependent clause independent clause

Quiz: Comma or No Comma??? “The spring semester ends after finals are given during the second week of May.” NO COMMA is needed for this is Option #4: “The spring semester ends after finals are given during the second week of May.”

Quiz: Comma or No Comma? “When I am tired I rest in the hammock.” A comma is needed for this is Option #5: “When I am tired, I rest in the hammock.”

Quiz: Comma or No Comma? “Mario attends college and he does well in his classes.” A comma is needed for this is Option #1 with two independent clauses: “Mario attends college, and he does well in his classes.”

Quiz: Comma or No Comma? “Maria attends college and does well in her classes.” No comma is needed for this is just a list of two activities (verbs): “Maria attends college and does well in her classes.”

Quiz: Comma or No Comma? “Jose answered all the test questions; however he did not pass the test.” A comma is needed for this is Option #3: “Jose answered all the test questions; however, he did not pass the test.”

Sentence Variety Using a variety of sentence patterns in an essay makes the writing interesting. Use these punctuation patterns (Option #1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) to combine short, choppy sentences, to not write fragments, and to not write run-ons.

Memorize your 5 Options on the Option Sheet! The End--Almost Memorize your 5 Options on the Option Sheet!