grammar review

​“Sentence Smarts: Fix It, Fuse It, or Delete It?”

By Alix Brite

Simple Sentences

a sentence (subject & predicate) with one main idea, a complete thought.

My friend is funny.

Compound Sentences

a sentence that uses a conjunction and has two sentences inside it

I love playing golf but putting can be very difficult. 

Complex sentences 

 a sentence that contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but a dependent clause even though it has a subject and a verb cannot stand alone. 

I heated my water in the microwave because it was cold.

independent clause

a complete sentence that can stand on their own.

I heated my water in the microwave.

dependent clause

not complete sentences- they have to be part of a larger sentence. 

Because it was cold

Multiple Choice

Is this independent or dependent? Because she's your friend.

• dependent
• independent

Multiple Choice

Independent or Dependent? He won the game

• independent
• dependent

“Sentence Snap Sort”
Tell me if it simple, complex, or compound be aware of why, you might be asked.

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is this?

He caught a huge bass, yet he didn't win the contest after all.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is this?

Dolphins, seals, and sharks are amazing animals.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is this?

Because I didn't feel well, I stayed home from school today even though I had three tests.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

Morgan and Riley plan to enter their robot in an engineering competition.

• complex sentence
• compound sentence
• simple sentence

Multiple Choice

When the clock strikes 10, we have to go to bed.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

WHAT SENTENCE STRUCTURE IS BEING USED?

I wanted to eat pizza for lunch, but they served burgers.

• Complex sentence
• Compound sentence
• Simple sentence
• Compound-complex sentence

Combing Sentences

Improving Sentence Fluency & Becoming More Concise in Our Writing

Ways to Combine Sentences

1. Combine two independent clauses (complete sentences) with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

Example: Marque wanted to go to the store, so he borrowed his mom's car.

2. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

The cat could be outside; it could also be in the garage.

Ways to Combine Sentences Continued...

3. Combining sentences with the same subjects and verbs.

Original Sentences: John graduated from high school. He aced all of his classes.

Combined Sentence: John graduated from high school and aced all of his classes.

Let's Practice!

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

She went to work. She did not want to go.

• She went to work, and she did not want to go.

• She went to work, but she did not want to go.

• She went to work, so she did not want to go.

• These sentences cannot be combined.

Multiple Choice

What is the BEST way to combine these sentences?

Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals. Grizzly bears are the same.

• Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals because Grizzly bears are the same.

• Polar bears and Grizzly bears are both fierce, territorial animals.

• Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals, yet Grizzly bears are the same.

• Polar bears are fierce, territorial animals, and Grizzly bears are the same.

Multiple Choice

I want to sleep in, ______ I have to go to school.

• and

• yet

• but

• or

Multiple Choice

Analyze the following sentences and choose the best way to combine them using a conjunction that makes logical sense: 'Jenny wanted to read. She went to the library.'

• Jenny wanted to read, but she went to the library.

• Jenny wanted to read, so she went to the library.

• Jenny wanted to read although she went to the library.

• Jenny wanted to read, therefore she went to the library.