Sentence Variety & Structure

Sentence Variety & Structure

Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences

Simple Sentences

Simple sentences offer one simple thought. They generally begin with a subject followed by a verb and may end with an object:

The sun rose this morning.

The dew glistened on the grass.

The birds began to sing to each other.

Small animals awoke and searched for breakfast.

Open Ended

Write a simple sentence.

Simple Variety

When several of these sentences follow one another, the writing style becomes very monotonous and does not reflect the variety of complex thinking patterns so common to the human mind.

- As the sun rose over the horizon, birds began to sing to each

other and small animals awoke and searched for breakfast in the

glistening, dew-covered grass.

- The dew glistened on the grass as the sun rose over the

horizon. While the birds began to sing to each other, animals

awoke and searched for breakfast.

Sentence Variety

Varying sentence length and pattern results in a natural, fluid form of writing. Writing should be pleasing to readers. If all of your sentences follow the same pattern, however, the writing and rhythm become boring and dull.

Creating a variety of sentence patterns not only holds a reader’s interest (which, after all, is the purpose of writing), but it also reflects

your mind’s ability to think creatively and complexly.

Compound (Coordinated) Sentence

When we say that someone is coordinated, we mean she/he is well balanced. Athletes and dancers, for example, are considered to be very coordinated because they aren’t clumsy or out of balance.

A compound sentence is also well balanced because it balances two complete thoughts (or clauses: subject + verb combinations) in which the information is of equal value.

Compound Sentences

Grandma lost her eyesight. Her hearing sharpened over time.

Grandma lost her eyesight, but her hearing sharpened over time.

You can say you’re sorry. You can go to your room.

You can say you’re sorry, or you can go to your room.

The tornado hit. The town was leveled.

The tornado hit, and the town was leveled.

Coordinating Conjunctions

The key words (coordinating conjunctions) we use to create coordinated sentences are the FANBOYS:

for, and, not, but, or, yet, so

Punctuation note: In a coordinated sentence, a comma always comes before the FANBOYS.

Compound sentences can also be created by joining two complete sentences that are closely related in meaning with a semi-colon (;).

Semi-colons, FANBOYS, Transition Words

Many websites are interesting. Some are inaccurate.

Many websites are interesting, but some are inaccurate.

Many websites are interesting; some are inaccurate.

Many websites are interesting; however, some are inaccurate.

Semi-colons do not connect phrases or dependent clauses to a sentence. They can only connect independent clauses that can stand on their own.

Open Ended

Write a compound sentence using the coordinating conjunction "and" to join two simple sentences.

Open Ended

Write a compound sentence using the coordinating conjunction "but" to join two simple sentences.

Open Ended

Write a compound sentence using the coordinating conjunction "or" to join two simple sentences.

Dependent Clauses (Subordinate)

When we call someone a subordinate, we mean that they are a lower in rank than we are and we, therefore, have more power than they have. In the military, for example, subordinates depend on their commanding officers to lead the way. Alone, they have no power. A subordinate clause is dependent on an independent clause. It cannot stand alone.

Complex Sentences

I can’t float. I just sink. I even hold my breath.

(dependent clause), (independent clause)

Even though I hold my breath, I seem to sink rather than float.

(independent clause)(dependent clause)

I seem to sink rather than float even though I hold my breath.

The key words (subordinating conjunctions) we use to create subordinated

sentences are the following:

Open Ended

Write a complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction "because" at the beginning to join to an independent clause.

Open Ended

Write a complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction "before" at the beginning to join to an independent clause.

Open Ended

Write a complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction "while" at the beginning to join to an independent clause.

PREPOSITIONAL or PARTICIPIAL PHRASES at the beginning of sentences create

sentence variety.

Prepositional Phrases provide information of place, time, direction, or relationship:

At yesterday’s game, the half-time show was a disaster.

By tomorrow morning, there will be six inches of snow on the ground.

Beneath our property, you’ll find old and abandoned mine shafts.

For each one of us, the memory has a different meaning.

Punctuation note: When a sentence begins with a participial phrase, a comma always follows it.

Open Ended

Write a sentence with a prepositional phrase at the beginning.

Verbs at the Beginning of Sentences

Participial phrases generally begin with –ing verbs and are used to describe nouns. In each of the following sentences, the opening phrase describes something that the subject of the sentence did.

Participial or Verbs at the Beginning

Erin woke early. She dressed quickly and went to feed horses.

Waking up early, Erin dressed quickly and went to feed horses.

The traffic was getting worse. Adam chose to leave after rush hour.

Seeing the traffic was getting worse, Adam chose to leave after rush

our.

Punctuation note: When a sentence begins with a participial phrase, a comma always follows it.

Open Ended

Write a sentence with a participial phrase or verb (-ing) at the beginning.

Sentence Structure Review

• simple sentences

• compound sentences

• complex sentences

• prepositional phrases at the beginning

• participial phrases at the beginning