Sentence Structure

Sentence Structure On the SOL essay, graders will look for varied sentence structure. Simple Compound Complex Compound - Complex

Complete Sentences To write a complete sentence, you must include: Capitalized first word End punctuation Subject Verb Complete thought / Makes sense (Independent Clause)

Sentence Fragments To avoid sentence fragments, do not begin a sentence with: Because Conjunctions (FAN BOYS) Be careful to complete your thought when beginning a sentence with words like: Although Whenever However After

Clauses All clauses contain a subject and a verb. Independent clause – expresses a complete thought Subordinate clause – does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence Examples When I go to the store. Because I love baseball and my son plays baseball. Although I have never played sports.

Simple Sentences A Simple Sentence – Contains one independent clause Subject / Verb / (Object) or (prepositional phrase) Example: My cats jump on my couch. May include a two subjects, two verbs, or two subjects and two verbs. Examples: My son and daughter play sports. Jackson loves soccer but doesn’t like football. Michaela and Jackson played basketball and completed their homework.

Compound Sentences A Compound Sentence – Examples: Contains two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) Can be joined by a comma and a conjunction or by a semicolon S / V , conjunction S / V S / V ; S / V Examples: Tomorrow is going to be a long day, but Friday will be fun! Hannah and Lisa went to the movies, and Jenny joined them there. I have taught at several schools, but I love THS! Jimmy plays golf, Tommy plays soccer, and Stephanie plays tennis.

Complex Sentences A Complex Sentence – Examples: Contains one independent clause (complete sentence) and at least one subordinate clause Examples: Because I didn’t hear my alarm, I overslept. When you go to the store, don’t forget to pick up peanut butter. My son, who loves baseball, plays shortstop for his travel team. I love baseball because my mother loved it, too.

Compound - Complex Sentences A Compound - Complex Sentence – Contains two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) and at least one subordinate clause Examples: Because I didn’t hear my alarm, I overslept, and my whole family was late. During the snowstorm, my cousin was stuck in a hotel, and my uncle couldn’t get to her. My son, who loves baseball, plays shortstop, and my daughter, who loves softball, plays first base. Mike took dance lessons; afterward, he asked his wife to dance whenever he got the chance.