Basic Sentence Patterns

Pattern #1: A simple sentence has only one independent clause.

An independent clause must have a subject, have a verb, and express a complete thought.

Example: I reminisce about the daysof old with that old time rock and roll.

Correcting Fragments

Make sure your sentence has a subject, has a complete verb, and expresses a complete thought.

Example: Sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away.

Correction: I’m sitting on the dock of the bay and watching the tide roll away.

Pattern #2: A compound sentence can be formed with a coordinating conjunction.

f a n b o y s

,for,and,nor,but,or,yet,so

We got a little crazy, but we never got caught.

Not #2: I’m sitting onthe dock of the bay andwatching the tide rollaway.

Pattern #3: A compound sentence can be formed with a semicolon.

Independent clause; independent clause.

Love me tender; love me true.

Pattern #4: A compound sentence can also be formedwith a conjunctive adverb.

;however, ;consequently, ;furthermore, ;therefore, ;then, ;now, ;nevertheless,

I simply remember my favorite things; then, I don’t feel so bad.

Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Run-on: The devil went down to Georgia he was looking for a soul to steal.

Comma splice: The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.

Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Correction using Pattern #1: The devil went down to Georgia. He was looking for a soul to steal.

Correction using Pattern #2: The devil went down to Georgia, and he was looking for a soul to steal.

Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Correction using Pattern #3: The devil went down to Georgia; he was looking for a soul to steal.

Correction using Pattern #4: The devil went down to Georgia; furthermore, he was looking for a soul to steal.

Pattern #5: A complex sentence needs a comma if the dependent clause is before the independent one.

Subordinating conjunctions

after although as because before if

Dependent clause, independent clause.

If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember

me?

Pattern #6: No punctuation is needed when the dependent clause is after the independent one.

Subordinatingconjunctions since unless until when whereas while

Independent clause dependent clause.

Would you still remember me if I leave here tomorrow?

Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Run-on: The devil went down to Georgia he was looking for a soul to steal.

Comma splice: The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.

Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Correction using Pattern #5: When the devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.

Correction using Pattern #6: The devil went down to Georgia because he was looking for a soul to steal.

Correcting Fragments

Example of a fragment that is a dependent clause: When my soul was in the lost and found.

Example of fragment created by an incorrect semicolon: When my soul was in the lost and found; you came along to claim it.

Correction using Pattern #5: When my soul was in the lost and found, you came along to claim it.

Correction using Pattern #6: My soul was in the lost and found when you came along to claim it.

Combining the Basic Sentence Patterns

When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things.

I simply remember my favorite things; then, I don’t feel so bad.

When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things; then, I don’t feel so bad.

Patterns #5 and #4

Pattern #5

Pattern #4