Sentence sTructures

Basic Sentence Parts Subject: the person, place, thing or idea that performs the “action” Complete subject: all the words that describe the subject Predicate: all the words that tell what the subject does, has, feels, or is. Simple predicate: verb or verb phrase

Simple Sentences Pattern: S V Can add adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, direct objects, etc. Sample simple sentences: The girl sat. The pretty girl sat in her chair. The pretty girl sat quietly in her chair. Many statues adorned the beautiful gardens. Students in Mrs. Carlino’s English class understand the simple sentences in the book.

Compound Subjects Compound Subjects Pattern: S [conjunction] S V. Just like with simple sentences, you can add adjectives, adverbs, direct objects, predicate nouns, prepositional phrases, etc. The black dog ran quickly down the street. + The white cat ran quickly down the street. = The black dog and the white cat ran quickly down the street. My generous aunt gave me a wonderful gift for my 12th birthday. My generous uncle gave me a wonderful gift for my 12th birthday. My generous aunt and uncle gave me a wonderful gift for my 12th birthday. Identify compound subjects and verbs, 401-402 Sentence combining pg. 403 pg. 461

Compound Verbs Pattern: S V [conjunction] V Just like with simple sentences, you can add adjectives, adverbs, direct objects, predicate nouns, prepositional phrases, etc. The beautiful, brown dog ran quickly. The beautiful, brown dog jumped over the fence. The beautiful, brown dog ran quickly and jumped over the fence. My generous uncle bought a wonderful gift for my sister and I. My generous uncle beautifully wrapped a wonderful gift for my sister and I. My generous uncle bought and beautifully wrapped a wonderful gift for my sister and I. Please note: there is no comma in front of the coordinating conjunction in a simple sentence with a compound verb…this is the most common extra comma mistake that I see!

Memorizing the Coordinating Conjunctions Introducing the FANBOYS: For And Nor But Or Yet So

Compound Sentences Definition: A sentence which contains at least TWO INDEPENDENT clauses. Independent clause—a clause must contain a subject AND a verb; an independent clause could stand alone as a sentence on its own Punctuation considerations: Independent clause [, coordinating conjunction] independent clause. Independent clause [ ; (conjunctive adverb,)] independent clause. Pattern: SV [, FANBOYS] SV SV [; (conjunctive adv,)] SV

Compound Sentence Examples The dog ran, and the cat followed. My German shepherd won first place at the dog show; however, my cat still was able to chase him around the house. I tried to speak Spanish while I was in Mexico, but I don’t think anyone could understand me. John went to football practice, so his mom went shopping. Many students did their homework as instructed; therefore, they did very well on the test. The Wizard of Oz is a political allegory; few people would recognize the symbols today.

Complex sentences Definition: a sentence that contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses Dependent clause: a clause contains a subject and a verb; dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions (because, since, if, when) or relative pronouns (who(m), that, which, whose) Be careful of those words that can both be subordinating conjunctions and prepositions like before: Prepositional phrase: Before lunch, I will make sure I hand in my essay. Dependent clause: Before I eat lunch, I will make sure I hand in my essay. Punctuation considerations: When a sentence begins with a dependent clause, the clause is followed by a comma (see above). When a sentences ends with a dependent clause, it does not need a comma: I will only eat lunch after I have turned in my essay.

Complex Sentences (cont’d) Punctuation, cont’d When a sentence is interrupted by a dependent clause, the clause is usually set off by commas. The soldiers, who were the guards of the castle, only would fight if the enemy attacked the castle. Sentence patterns (Sub. Conj) SV, SV. DEP, INDEP. SV (sub. Conj) SV. INDEP DEP. S (rel. pronoun SV) V. IN, (DEP), DEP. If Dorothy had lost the ruby slippers, she could not have returned home.  The witch melted when Dorothy splashed water on her. The witch who wore the ruby slippers was crushed by Dorothy's house.

Remember dependent clauses begin with Subordinating conjunctions After Although If unless As In as much Until as if in order that When as long as Lest Whenever as much as now that whereas soon as provided (that)   wherever as though Since while because so that Before than even if That even though    though

Compound-Complex Sentences Definition: must have three clauses-- two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) and one dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction. Punctuation considerations: must follow the rules of compound AND complex sentences Pattern: Indep, [FANBOYS] Indep Dep OR DEP, Indep, [FANBOYS]Indep

Compound-Complex Examples Because Rudy was hungry, I looked in the kitchen for a treat, but the cupboard was bare. I put Rudy in the backseat because he likes to ride in the car, and we drove west on Main Street.   I stopped at the light on 5th, and then I rolled down Rudy’s window after I remembered how much he likes to stick his head out of the car. We got to the pet store soon afterward, and because I know how much Rudy hates being alone, I took him into the store with me.

Why are these NOT compound-complex? In the morning, I usually leave early because the traffic can get bad on the tollway. After I got off work, because of rain, the traffic was backed up for miles. Starting with these independent clauses, make 2 compound-complex sentences: I took my car to the shop. I believe Chicago is great place to visit in the summertime.