Simple Sentence = 1 Independent Clause

Independent ClauseContains at least 1 subject and 1 verb and can stand alone as a complete
thought.
Example: The new science teacher waits for her new folders.
Sub=teacher erb=waits
This pattern of subjects and verbs is often simplified as SV .
The following sentences are all examples of Simple Sentences with an SV pattern. Underline the Simple Subject once and
the Verb or Verb Phrase twice.
1. ! noun is person" place" thing" or idea.
#. ! flamingo is a noun.
$. %ouns will either be subjects" direct objects" predicate nominatives" objects of a
prepositional phrase" or indirect objects.
&. Tuna can be a subject.
'. It can also be a direct object.
(. )nfortunatel*" tornadoes during the summer can destro* entire neighborhoods.
+. )ntil last summer" hurricanes were seen as a manageable problem.
,. -owever" in !ugust -urricane .atrina changed all of that.
/. %ow" relief agencies are wor0ing tirelessl* to help those in need.
11. 2ell3meaning individuals from all around the countr* have donated tremendous
resources for those living along the 4ulf Coast.
Independent ClauseContains at least 1 subject and 1 verb and can stand alone as a complete
thought.
Example: Snow and rain will fall throughout the night.
Compound Subject = snow and rain erb 5hrase = will fall
This pattern of subjects and verbs is often simplified as SSV.
The following sentences are all examples of Simple Sentences with an SSV pattern. Underline the Compound Subject once
and the Verb or Verb Phrase twice.
11. 6as0etball and football are team sports involving strength and s0ill.
1#. -unting and fishing are individual sports involving precision and discipline.
1$. !unt 7oris and )ncle 8imm* refuse to pla* an* sport.
1&. 9riends and famil* have encouraged them to get bus* doing something.
1'. 7octors and researchers support an active lifest*le.
1(. )nfortunatel*" children and adults continue to ignore this advice.
1+. The stubborn" ignorant" and passive will resist an* t*pe of e:ercise.
1,. ;ither !unt 7oris or )ncle 8imm* needs to be the first to push for a change.
Independent ClauseContains at least 1 subject and 1 verb and can stand alone as a complete
thought.
Example: <ichigan cherries taste and smell sweeter than hone*=
Sub=cherries Compound erbs=taste and smell
This pattern of subjects and verbs is often simplified as SVV.
The following sentences are all examples of Simple Sentences with an SVV pattern. Underline the Simple Subject once and
the Compound Verb or Verb Phrase twice.
1/. Tomm* failed ;nglish and needs summer school.
#1. -e will pa* the entire amount tomorrow and wor0 hard ne:t semester.
#1. -is parents are upset but believe him.
##. The* bought him a computer for Christmas but returned it after the news.
#$. %ow he>s riding his bi0e to the librar* and wor0ing there.
#&. In the snow" he bundles up and wal0s.
#'. -is parents enforce rules of tough love and insist upon his independence.
#(. -e grows sad but refuses to ?uit.
#+. @thers with these t*pes of problems might surrender and ?uit.
#,. Tomm* 0nows and believes in the lessons learned.
Independent ClauseContains at least 1 subject and 1 verb and can stand alone as a complete
thought.
Example: <ovies and pla*s entertain and educate children around the world.
Compound Subjects= movies and pla*s Compound erbs=entertain and educate
This pattern of subjects and verbs is often simplified as SSVV.
The following sentences are all examples of Simple Sentences with an SSVV pattern. Underline the Compound Subject
once and the Compound Verb or Verb Phrase twice.
#/. Students and teachers arrived and watched the world>s greatest tournament.
$1. ;ither Terrence or <ichael would score the run and secure the victor*.
$1. <and*" !lice" and %ora pla* instruments and sing nicel* together.
$#. The band and the dancers start the tournament and e:cite the crowd.
$$. Aou and I should have purchased twent* tic0ets or sta*ed home.
$&. 7rin0ing water and eating vegetables aids *our metabolism and cleans *our s*stem.
$'. Bec*cling and reusing will reduce waste and create a healthier environment.
$(. Cosing a calculator and pa*ing for a new one will teach an*one a valuable lesson and
generate a responsible individual.
Simple Sentence = 1 Independent Clause
Independent ClauseContains at least 1 subject and 1 verb and can stand alone as a complete
thought.
332hile sentences ma* contain Compound Subjects and erbs" the basic formula should
remain consistent with SubjectDsEFerbDsE. @f course there ma* be e:ceptions" but if *ou get into the
habit of identif*ing Subjects and erbs and following these patterns" *ou should have consistent
success identif*ing SI<5C; S;%T;%C;S.
T*pes of 5atterns: SV" SSV" SVV" SSVV
The following sentences are all simple. Underline the subject(s once and the !erb(s twice. "t the end of the sentence#
identif$ the pattern as either SV# SSV# SVV# or SSVV.
1. @n the ban0s of the river we ate cheese and crac0ers and dran0 punch. GGGGGGG
#. !nd* pla*s bas0etball but does not enjo* it. GGGGGGGGGG
$. The guitar is a great instrument to pla* at night. GGGGGGGGGG
&. 6lueberr* panca0es and bacon will ma0e a fine brea0fast this morning. GGGGGGGGG
'. The bo* finished his mil0 without ma0ing a huge fuss. GGGGGGGGG
(. Beading is an important s0ill for success in the future. GGGGGGGGGG
+. The mon0e*s run in their cage but sit all da* long in their tree. GGGGGGGGGGG
,. The tigers and bears prefer to eat all da* and sleep all night. GGGGGGGGGG
/. 2hen will *ou learn to tie *our shoesH GGGGGGGGGGGGGG
11. Bemember to put *our name on top and hand me *our homewor0. GGGGGGGGGG
11. 5rancing through the rain" the horses were unaware of the looming storm. GGGGGGGGG
1#. The Survivor contestants complained about the rules of the game. GGGGGGGGGGGG
1$. Independent clauses and subordinate clauses are essential in our language. GGGGGGGGG
1&. T*ping and reading s0ills are encouraged b* colleges but discouraged in -igh School. GGGGGGG
1'. Aou can have two or three subjects in a simple sentence. GGGGGGGGGGG
1(. Bandom thoughts and stupid statements tric0le down the hallwa*s at brea0 time. GGGGGGGGG
1+. Tuna and peanut butter sandwiches are the most popular lunches in /
th
grade. GGGGGGGGG
1,. @n clash da* <elissa spi0ed her hair and colored it red. GGGGGGGGGGGGG
1/. Cr*ing in baseball is forbidden b* certain managers. GGGGGGGGGGG
#1. 8ac0 and 8ill climbed the hill and tripped over the pail of water. GGGGGGGGGG
#1. 5irates will destro* *our ship and ta0e *our treasure. GGGGGGGG
##. Captain !hab spent several *ears hunting the white whale. GGGGGGGGGG
#$. Cu0e S0*wal0er and 7arth ader are <a:>s favorite Star 2ars characters. GGGGGGGGGGG
#&. <addie loves Cinderella" Sleeping 6eaut*" and !riel. GGGGGGGGGGGGG
Compound Sentence = 2 or more Independent Clauses joined by either a
comma/coordinating conjunction or a semi colon.
Coordinating Conjunctions: Think, FAN BOYS.
For, And, Nor, ut, !r, "et, So
33In identif*ing Compound Sentences" *ou will continue identif*ing Subjects and erbs. Aou
should be pa*ing attention to the formulas and patterns regulating Simple Sentences. -owever" *ou>re
loo0ing for Coordinating Conjunctions and Semi Colons CONNECTING Independent Clauses.
;:amples: Compound SentenceThe announcements will run all day, but no one will read them.
5attern: S "but S D!nnouncements will run" but no one will readE
The sentence is compound because # independent clauses are joined b* the " coordinating conjunction.
Simple SentenceWe will read announcements but ignore their content.
5attern: S
;ven though this sentence has the coordinating conjunction IbutJ" it is simple because IbutJ is %@T
joining # independent clauses. It>s joining two verbs. This is the tric0iest part if *ou>re not pa*ing
attention.
The following sentences are all compound. Underline the subjects once and the !erbs twice. "lso# circle the coordinating
conjunction or semi colon that %&'(S the independent clauses.
1. The 0ids are in school" and man* loo0 e:tremel* bored.
#. Cittle 6ill* tries to do his best" but the wor0 just gets harder and harder.
$. In the morning he drin0s his juice" eats his toast" and brushes his teeth" but nothing helps.
&. @ne time at band camp" a girl tried to help him with some lessons" but he frea0ed out.
'. -e couldn>t remember her name" and she got angr*.
(. Cittle 6ill* tried telling his parents about little SuK*" but his dad couldn>t hear him.
+. 6ill*>s father had alwa*s bragged about 6ill* at wor0" but now shame would ta0e over.
,. 6ill* couldn>t live with that guilt" so he dedicated himself to being better with names.
/. Cittle SuK* saw 6ill* at school" and she couldn>t believe it=
11. -e>d cut his hair" bought new clothes" and trimmed his nails" but something else was different.
11. She waited until band class to ma0e her move and as0 him out" but" even then" she was afraid.
1#. Cittle SuK* had onl* loved one gu* before" and he left her after the prom.
1$. She was willing to confront 6ill*" *et something held her bac0.
1&. She decided to ba0e him an apple pie" for she heard that it was his favorite.
1'. She arrived earl* for class the ne:t da* and waited for him to sit down" but he never showed.
1(. SuK* gave the pie to the drummer" and he smiled than0full*.
1+. The drummer loved hot" apple pie" and he couldn>t wait to get home.