SENTENCE PATTERN

Dias Agata, S.S., M.Pd.

ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONALS 1

Outlines
Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences
Dependent & Independent Clauses
Practices

Sentences can be
simple, complex, or compound
A simple sentence has one independent clause

A complex sentence has one independent clause and

one or more dependent clauses
A compound sentence joins two independent clauses

Dependent & Independent Clauses

To distinguish between simple, complex, or compound
sentences, it is important to know what independent
and dependent clauses are.

Independent clause - can stand on its

own as a sentence
Dependent clause - cannot stand on
its own as a sentence

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Independent clauses have three components:
A subject - they tell the reader what the sentence
is about.
A predicate - they tell the reader what the
subject is doing.
Express a complete thought - something
happened or was said.

Jim reads.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Independent clauses have three components:
A subject - they tell the reader what the sentence
is about.
A predicate - they tell the reader what the
subject is doing.
Express a complete thought - something
happened or was said.

Jim reads.

Simple Sentence

DEPENDENT CLAUSES
A dependent clause is a clause that does not express a
complete thought. A clause can be dependent because of the
presence of a:
Marker Word (Before, after, because, since, in order to,
although, though, whenever, wherever, whether, while, even
though, even if)
Conjunction (And, or, nor, but, yet)
Dependent clauses MUST be joined to another clause, in order
to avoid creating a sentence fragment. Example:
Because I forgot my homework. ??? (What Happened?)

How to deal with Dependent clause?

This is a sentence fragment. We have a "because"
but not a "why" or anything accompanying and
following what happened "because" they forgot.

I got sent home because I forgot my homework.

How to deal with Dependent clause?

This is a sentence fragment. We have a "because"
but not a "why" or anything accompanying and
following what happened "because" they forgot.

I got sent home because I forgot my homework.

independent clause

dependent clause

How to deal with Dependent clause?

This is a sentence fragment. We have a "because"
but not a "why" or anything accompanying and
following what happened "because" they forgot.

I got sent home because I forgot my homework,

independent clause

dependent clause

COMPLEX SENTENCE

A Complex Sentence
Has one independent clause which can stand on its
own as a sentence AND one or more dependent
clauses which cannot stand on their own.
Words like because, when, or after might indicate a
complex sentence.

When I walked downstairs, I had a big surprise

Which is the independent clause and which is
the dependent clause?

The Subordinating Conjunctions

after
although
as
in order that
at least
now that
wherever
while
before
even though

how
if
in as much
when
whenever
whereas
as though
because
even if
though

until
unless
as if
as long as
as much as
soon
since
so that
that

A Compound Sentence
To make a compound sentence, join two independent
clauses, or sentences that could stand on their own,
and separate them with a comma and a conjunction
(like and, or, but, so, yet, etc.) or a semicolon (;).

I was too busy to play, so he went outside without me.

A Compound Sentence
To make a compound sentence, join two independent
clauses, or sentences that could stand on their own,
and separate them with a comma and a conjunction
(like and, or, but, so, yet, etc.) or a semicolon (;).

I was too busy to play, so he went outside without me.

independent clause 1

independent clause 2
conjunction

A Compound Sentence
To make a compound sentence, join two independent
clauses, or sentences that could stand on their own,
and separate them with a comma and a conjunction
(like and, or, but, so, yet, etc.) or a semicolon (;).

I was too busy to play, so he went outside without me.

independent clause 1

independent clause 2
conjunction

The game ended; our team lost.

A Compound Sentence
To make a compound sentence, join two independent
clauses, or sentences that could stand on their own,
and separate them with a comma and a conjunction
(like and, or, but, so, yet, etc.) or a semicolon (;).

I was too busy to play, so he went outside without me.

independent clause 1

independent clause 2
conjunction

The game ended ; our team lost.

independent clause 1

independent clause 2

Compound Sentence
the conjunctions

Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join

these independent clauses. (Hint: The
conjunctions spell FANBOYS.)
The conjunction used can impact the meaning of
the sentence.

GOOD
ENOUGH?
LETS PRACTICE!

1
Vampires Diaries is my favourite
television show, but I also love True
Blood.

2
The student wiped the white board
that was filthy with last weeks notes.

3
The trendy fashion designer released
her new line on Wednesday.

4
Wicked Regina cast a spell on the
entire city, so the citizens decided to
rebel.

5
While waiting for the paint to dry,
Martin organized the kitchen
appliances.

6
After listening to the Kanye West CD,
I have new respect for his music.

7
The car stopped on the street.

8
Alberta is famous for the Calgary
Stampede, but it is also known for its
oil reserves.

9
Taxation without representation was a
common complaint two hundred
years ago.

10
Dont tell me you cant find your
backpack!

CHECK OUT THE ANSWERS!

1. Compound
2. Complex
3. Simple
4. Compound
5. Complex

6. Complex
7. Simple
8. Compound
9. Simple
10.Complex

ASSIGNMENT 1
Capture an article from the internet (written in English)
Find these sentences in the article:
Simple sentences (5)
Complex sentences (5)
Compound sentences (5)
Re-write the sentences and identify the independent
clause, dependent clause and conjunction
Save it in PDF format
Upload in the Edmodo by clicking (TURN IN)