Sentence Pattern

Simple SentenceCompound SentenceComplex Sentence

Simple Sentence

•Simple Sentence = a single clause

•A clause = a subject + a predicate

•Subject = agent/topic of the sentence’s action

•Predicate = verb [+object/modifier/complement]

Harry Potter is a wizard.

Vampires, werewolves, and zombies do not usually get along.

Compound Sentence

•2 or more independent clauses

•Conjunction [FANBOYS] with a COMMA

Example Vampires drink blood.

Werewolves eat meat.

Vampires drink blood, but werewolves eat meat.

Elena doesn’t want to be a vampire.

She doesn’t want to kill people.

Elena doesn’t want to be a vampire, for she doesn’t want to kill people.

Complex Sentence•2 clauses

•Independent clause

•A subject & a verb that make a complete thought

•Dependent clause

•Always needs to be attached to an independent clause

•Makes incomplete thought when standing alone

Adverb Clause

•Cause/effect: because, since, as

•Comparison/contrast: although, whereas, while

•Condition: if, unless

•Time: since, as, when

Example Ronaldo wanted to be a footballer.

He is now a model.

Although Ronaldo wanted to be a footballer, he is now a model.

Although Ronaldo wanted to be a footballer>> dependent clause

Relative clause

•Used to modify a noun

•Clause starts with

•Who, whom, which, whose, where, when, why

Messi is a world’s best footballer.

He plays for FC Barcelona.

Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona, is a world’s best footballer.

Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona >> incomplete sentence

Errors

•Fragment

•Comma splice

Fragment

•Incomplete sentence

•Missing a subject/verb

•Missing a clause

Comma Splice

•A comma is NOT used to join sentences

•Use CONJUNCTION to join sentences

Sam and Dean are vampire hunters.

Walking leisurely in a garden

James, who likes playing basketball

Missing S or V

No predicate

Although we study hard

Because it is fictional

Fragment > only dependent clause

Fragment > only dependent clause

Jack plays computer games, Jill reads comic books.

Comma splice