Basic Sentence Patterns 1-3

Basic Sentence Patterns: 1 - 3

Sentence Pattern #1

Simple Sentence

Independent Clause

• He walked to the store.

• Shopping for clothes is fun.

Reorder

Order the following words into a simple sentence (independent clause).

• The

• dog

• ate

• her

• food.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Order the following words into a simple sentence (independent clause).

• Mrs. Kovak

• enjoys

• reading

• and

• baking.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Order the following words into a simple sentence (independent clause).

• It

• is

• freezing

• cold

• outside.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

What is the subject in the following sentence: The cat who lives next door always brings dead mice to my front door.

• the cat

• my front door

• the cat who lives next door

• dead mice

Multiple Choice

What is the subject in the following sentence: Believe it or not, reading is one of the best ways to build your vocabulary.

• one of the best ways

• reading

• vocabulary

• you

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate in this sentence: The first five days after the weekend are the toughest.

• The first five days

• after the weekend

• are the toughest.

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate in this sentence: My brain has too many tabs open.

• My brain

• has too many tabs open.

Sentence Pattern #2: Compound Sentence with Coordinating Conjunctions

Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.

• Nancy wanted to go to the party, but she did not want to take off her pajamas.

• Are you going to your mother’s house for Thanksgiving, or are you staying at home this year?

• Stanley possessed all of the skills for the job, yet he was not hired for the position.

• Alex went to the nursing home, so he could visit his grandmother.

• He walked to the post office, and he bought a book of stamps.

Fill in the Blanks

Which coordinating conjunction best completes this sentence: I’d agree with you,

then we’d both be wrong.

Fill in the Blanks

Which coordinating conjunction best completes this sentence: Life is a bowl of soup,

I’m a fork.

Fill in the Blanks

Which coordinating conjunction best completes this sentence: You’re driving me crazy,

please pull over.

Fill in the Blanks

Which coordinating conjunction best completes this sentence: Doing nothing is hard,

you never know when you’re done.

Fill in the Blanks

Which coordinating conjunction best completes this sentence: We can go to the movies,

we can watch the movie at home.

Sentence Pattern #3: Compound Sentence with Semicolons

Independent clause; independent clause.

• Martha went to the store; she bought groceries.

• The door was locked; we were stuck sitting on the porch until our father arrived.

• I’m not lazy; I’m relaxed.

Multiple Choice

Choose the compound sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

• Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need an expert opinion.

• Of course I talk to myself sometimes; I need an expert opinion.

• Of course I talk; to myself sometimes I need an expert opinion.

• Of course; I talk to myself sometimes I need an expert opinion.

Multiple Choice

Choose the compound sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

• It’s OK if you; don’t like me not everyone has good taste.

• It’s OK; if you don’t like me not everyone has good taste.

• It’s OK if you don’t like me; not everyone has good taste.

• It’s OK if you don’t like me not; everyone has good taste.

Multiple Choice

Choose the compound sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

• “Beauty fades dumb; is forever.” — Judge Judy

• “Beauty fades dumb is; forever.” — Judge Judy

• “Beauty fades; dumb is forever.” — Judge Judy

Multiple Choice

Choose the compound sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

• You’re driving me crazy; please pull over.

• You’re driving me crazy please; pull over.

• You’re driving me; crazy please pull over.