Learning Objectives

 Identifying the components of simple, compound and

complex sentence.

 Understanding the grammatical elements to write

different sentences.

 Composing a sentence with greater variety in terms of

formation.
How to Use
Sentence Variety
to “Decorate”
Your Writing
People normally talk and write using one
boring sentence pattern:

subject/verb
subject/verb
subject/verb . . .
 Example:
I have an adorable
dog named Rosa. She is a little brown
dachshund with beautiful eyes. Rosa
sleeps on the couch most of the day. I
throw her toy for her every day after
school. My little dog is the cutest pet
in the entire world!
Quiz Time!
Word “Adorable is an_________

a) Adjective

b) Noun

c) Adverb
Quiz Time!
Verb tells about “action”.

Yes

No
Subject/verb,
subject/verb,
subject/verb is
suitable for, everyday
talking to
communicate because
. . .
. . . when you
talk, your facial
expressions, hand
gestures, and body
language “sweeten
up” your speech.
However, when you write, you
need to revise to “decorate”
what you say!
Use a variety of
sentence patterns!
Subject and Predicate
 The Subject is the person/place/thing/animal about
which something is said.

 The Predicate is what is said about the subject.

 Examples------
Quiz Time!
A simple sentence expresses a “complete thought”.

Yes

No
A PHRASE
 A phrase is a group of words that makes sense but does not
make complete sense. It has no subject and no predicate of
its own
 leaving behind the dog
 smashing into a fence
 before the first test
 after the devastation
 between ignorance and intelligence
 broken into thousands of pieces
 because of her glittering smile
A CLAUSE
 A clause is a group of words which has its own
subject and predicate. It is a mini sentence
The following are examples of clauses:
 since she laughs at diffident men
 I despise individuals of low character
 when the saints go marching in
 because she smiled at him.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
 If the clause could stand by itself, and form a
complete sentence , we call the clause an
independent clause.
The following are independent clauses:

 I despise individuals of low character

 Obediah Simpson is uglier than a rabid racoon
DEPENDENT CLAUSE
 Dependent clauses have a subject doing a verb, but they have a
subordinate conjunction placed in front of the clause.

 That subordinate conjunction means that the clause can't stand

independently by itself and become a complete sentence.

Here are some examples of dependent clauses:

 since she laughs at diffident men
 when the saints go marching in
 because she smiled at him
Quiz Time!
A phrase makes “complete sense”.

True

False
Quiz Time!
An independent clause can stand on itself.

Yes

No
Examples of Compound Sentences
A. The shoplifter had stolen clothes, so he ran once he
saw the police.
B. They spoke to him in Spanish, but he responded in
English.
C. He was late so he hurried.
D. Tom painted the house, and he replaced the windows.
Quiz Time!
To join two independent clause, we need__________

a) Coordinating Conjunction

b) Subordinating Conjunction

c) None of the above

Quiz Time!
FANBOYS fall into the category of_________

a) Coordinating Conjunction

b) Subordinating Conjunction

c) Both
EXERCISE- Identifying Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

Read the following sentences, and indicate whether each is simple,

compound, or complex.
1. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered it. __________
2. I wrote Jane a letter while she was away at camp. __________
3. Have you seen Mr. Nelson’s garden at the back of his house? __________
4. When Miss Jones entered the room, we all became quiet. __________
5. Susan likes chemistry, but she likes physics better. __________
6. Since we’ve lost every game but one, no one is excited about football this
year. __________
7. When I’m tired , I’m not good company for anyone. __________
8. Wandering aimlessly up the path, Mr. Cutter approached the house.
__________
9. Susan sang a solo and accompanied herself on the piano. __________
10. When the rain began, we were playing tennis. __________
ANSWERS
1. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered it. compound
2. I wrote Jane a letter while she was away at camp. complex
3. Have you seen Mr. Nelson’s garden at the back of his house? simple
4. When Miss Jones entered the room, we all became quiet. complex
5. Susan likes chemistry, but she likes physics better. compound
6. Since we’ve lost every game but one, no one is excited about football
this year. complex
7. When I’m tired , I’m not good company for anyone. complex
8. Wandering aimlessly up the path, Mr. Cutter approached the house.
simple
9. Susan sang a solo and accompanied herself on the piano. compound
10. When the rain began, we were playing tennis. complex
EXERCISE- Identifying Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
11. When Uncle Jack comes to town, we all have a good time. __________
12. I worked all morning, and then I relaxed in the afternoon. __________
13. Beth likes all seasons of the year, but she likes fall best. __________
14. On our trip we drove every afternoon until five o’clock. __________
15. Dave began to feel better before the doctor arrived. __________
16. Whistling loudly, Ken walked past the cemetery. __________
17. How many states can you see from Lookout Mountain? __________
18. If you want your car really clean, let George wash it. __________
19. I must stay home until the man comes to repair the washing machine.
__________
20. Our neighbors are going to Canada on their vacation, but we will take
our vacation at home. __________
ANSWERS
11. When Uncle Jack comes to town, we all have a good time. complex
12. I worked all morning, and then I relaxed in the afternoon. compound
13. Beth likes all seasons of the year, but she likes fall best. compound
14. On our trip we drove every afternoon until five o’clock. simple
15. Dave began to feel better before the doctor arrived. complex
16. Whistling loudly, Ken walked past the cemetery. simple
17. How many states can you see from Lookout Mountain? simple
18. If you want your car really clean, let George wash it. complex
19. I must stay home until the man comes to repair the washing machine.
complex
20. Our neighbors are going to Canada on their vacation, but we will take
our vacation at home. compound