English Grammar

Sentence Patterns
• An independent clause (a clause is a
group of words that contains at least one
subject and one verb) is one that can
stand on its own.
• A dependent clause is one that cannot
stand on its own. It needs
an independent clause to lean on.
• Joining a dependent clause with an
independent one is called
subordination.
• Joining independent clauses together is
called coordination.

NOTE: Because nouns can fill so many positions

in a sentence, it’s easier to analyze sentence
patterns if you find the verbs and find the
connectors.
 Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
• A simple sentence is simple because it
contains only one independent clause.
• A simple sentence is not necessarily short or
simple.
• It can be long with many parts and compound
elements.
• A single independent clause can be formed
with a single subject and a compound verb.
• One independent clause. (IC)

Mr. Potato Head eats potato chips.

I refuse.

Raja dropped his English Communication Skills

class.
• A simple sentence is not necessarily short or
simple.
• a single independent clause with a single
subject (Raja) and a compound verb
(gulped, swallowed, groaned, and decided):

Raja gulped down his fourth cup of coffee,

swallowed a tab for his pounding headache,
groaned, and decided to drop his Agricultural
Economics class.
 Pattern 2: Compound Sentence
• When you join two simple sentences, you get
a compound sentence.
• A compound sentence can be broken into two
complete sentences, each with its own subject
and its own verb.
• Two or more independent clauses. They can
be arranged in these ways:
(IC, and IC.) (IC;IC.) or (IC; however, IC.)

Connectors with a comma:

the FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Connectors with a semicolon and a

conjunctive adverb comma:
however, moreover, nevertheless,
nonetheless, therefore, etc.
Example compound sentences:
Mr. Potato Head eats them for breakfast every
day, but I don’t see the attraction.
Dad is going bald; his hair is getting thinner and
thinner.
You should stop eating so much food; you will
have to go on a diet.
Eating cakes makes me happy; however, he
can’t persuade me.
• If you choose to coordinate two independent
clauses using a semicolon, you have another
option i.e., you may choose to add a
conjunctive adverb (followed by a comma-the
adverb acts rather like an introductory phrase)
after the semicolon.
• A conjunctive adverb adds meaning or
clarifies the relationship between the two
clauses. See how choosing a different
conjunctive adverb subtly changes the
meaning of the pair:
• Raja put a new washer in the bathroom
faucet before leaving for the party;
moreover, Rani figured out how to fix the
garb age disposal.

• Raja put a new washer in the bathroom

faucet before leaving for the party;
however, Rani figured out how to fix the
garbage disposal.
 Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
• One independent clause AND one or more
dependent clauses.
• A complex sentence is a sentence that
contains both a dependent and an
independent clause.
• Both clauses contain a subject and a verb, but
the dependent clause has, in addition, the
dependent-making words such as: even
though, although, because, etc.
• Connectors are always at the beginning of
the dependent clause.
• They show how the dependent clause is
related to the independent clause.
They can be arranged in these ways:
• (IC because DC.) or
• (Because DC, IC.) or
• (I, because DC, C.)
 Examples of complex sentences:

• He recommends them highly because they

taste like chicken when they are hot.
• Although chicken always appeals to me, I still
feel skeptical about an egg.
• Mrs. Potato Head, because she loves us so
much, has offered to make a special dinner
for us.
• She can cook it however she wants.
• Although I am curious, I am still skeptical.
 Subordinate Conjunctions
• Cause/Effect: because, since, so that
• Comparison/Contrast: although, even though,
though, whereas, while
• Place/Manner: where, wherever, how,
however
• Possibility/Conditions: if, whether, unless
• Relation: that, which, who, whom
• Time: after, as, before, since, when,
whenever, while, until
 Pattern 4: Compound-Complex
Sentence
• A compound-complex sentence is comprised
of at least two independent clauses and one
or more dependent clauses.
• Compound-complex sentences help us
express longer thoughts, with more parts than
using other independent sentences.
• They’re good tools for explaining complicated
ideas or describing long chains of events.
They can be arranged in these ways:

• (IC, and IC because DC.) or

• (Because DC, IC, and IC.)

• Find the connectors, then find the verbs and

subjects that are part of each clause.
 Examples

• Though Raja prefers watching romantic films,

he rented the latest spy thriller, and he
enjoyed it very much.
• I want some popcorn, so I’m going to buy
them now before the movie starts.
• Even though she was tired, Rani had to finish
the race, so she ran to meet her team.
• She likes to sleep in, but she can get up
early if she has work.
• While drafting letters of applications,
research papers or when you revise
them for sentence variety, try to
determine how many of these patterns
you use.
• If you favor one particular pattern, your
writing might be kind of boring if every
sentence has exactly the same pattern.
• If you find this is true, try to revise a few
sentences using a different pattern.