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4 basic sentence structures. Variety in structure & length. Why use variety in your sentences?. Sentence variety is necessary for a number of reasons: Sentence variety makes your writing more interesting to read Sentence variety adds style & liveliness to your writing
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4 basic sentence structures Variety in structure & length
Why use variety in your sentences? • Sentence variety is necessary for a number of reasons: • Sentence variety makes your writing more interesting to read • Sentence variety adds style & liveliness to your writing • Sentence variety will help develop your writing skills
4 Basic Sentence Structures • Simple: 1 independent clause; can have multiple phrases • Complex: 1 independent clause and at least 1 dependent clause; can have multiple phrases • Compound: 2 or more independent clauses; can have multiple phrases • Compound: Complex: 2 or more independent clauses; 1 or more dependent clauses; can have multiple phrases
Elements of sentences • Independent Clause: has a subject & verb; expresses a complete thought; can stand alone as a sentence. • Dependent Clause: has a subject & verb; does not express a complete thought; cannot stand alone as a sentence. • Phrase: group of related word functioning as a single unit; does not have a subject and / or verb; does not express a complete thought; cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Examples • Simple: The lonely young girl stood dejectedly in the corner of the classroom. • Complex: While others chatted amiably around her, the girl remained silent and withdrawn. • Compound: The room was crowded and noisy, but she felt abandoned and alone. • Compound-Complex: Although she knew they didn’t mean to ignore her, she still couldn’t help but feel left out; it was as if she was completely invisible to her classmates.
Prepositional Phrases • A prepositional phrase is a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun known as the object of the preposition. • Prepositional phrases usually indicate location, direction, or association between elements in a sentence. • Example: Mrs. Custer organizes all the novels on her bookshelf.
Participial Phrases • A participle is an –ing verb that is used as an adjective. Example: The singing girl created a commotion in the hallway. • A participial phrase is a group of words that begins with a participle and functions together as an adjective. • Example: Sitting quietly in her desk, Katrina concentrated on the problem her math teacher had just assigned.
Gerund Phrases • A gerund is an –ing verb that functions as a noun. Example: Swimming is my favorite form of exercise. • A gerund phrase is a group of words that begins with a gerund and functions together as a noun. • Example: Running five miles is difficult for most people.
Infinitive Phrases • An infinitive is a verb that is preceded by the word “to”. Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. • Example: I am excited to go to the beach • An infinitive phrase is a group of words that begins with an infinitive and functions together as a noun, adjective, or adverb. • Example: Over the summer, I trained to run a marathon.
Appositives • An appositive is a word or group of words placed close to a noun to further identify or provide more information about that noun. • Example: My favorite subject, English, includes the study of different literary genres. • Appositives can be either essential or nonessential. • Essential appositives are necessary to make the meaning of the sentence clear. • Nonessential appositives are not necessary but provide extra information.
Six Sassy Sentence Patterns Tips for adding variety to boring sentences
Six Sentence Patterns to Give Your Writing Liveliness & Variety • Double adjective opening • “-ing” (participial phrases) beginning or end • “-ly” (adverbial) opening • Informative interrupters (appositives) • Parallel Structure • Dependent clauses
Double Adjective Openings • Tall, handsome lifeguards flirt wildly with the pretty girls. • Rickety and dilapidated, the old schoolhouse didn’t stand a chance in an earthquake.
“-ing” (participial phrase) at beginning • Running like the wind, Forrest Gump made national headline news. • Saving the best for last, Lisa finally ate her Reese’s peanut butter cup.
“-ing” (participial phrase) at end • He trudged along the hot desert for days, wishing he had brought more water. • Sandy gave the homeless man all the money she had, hoping that her small act of kindness might bring him some comfort.
“-ly” (adverbial) at beginning • Cheerfully, she answered the phone for her mother. • Slowly opening the door, the servant tried not to wake his master.
Informative Interrupters (appositives) • The fish, a slimy mass of flesh, felt the alligator’s giant teeth sink into him as he struggled to swim away. • The child, face covered with chocolate doughnut, asked his mother if he could have some milk.
Parallel Structure • He goes out onto the baseball field, spins around second base, and looks back at the academy. • Choosing a Christmas tree, putting up Christmas lights, and baking Christmas cookies are all included in my December traditions.
Dependent Clauses • Because it rained, the garden party was postponed. • Since the road construction is complete, Jim can make it home in only ten minutes.
