24 SENTENCE 24 SENTENCE PATTERNSPATTERNS

Pattern One:Specific NOUN + Strong Action VERB

There are 3 ways to do this pattern

NOUN – VERB NOUN-VERB-

ADVERB (a word that describes the verb and usually ends in ly)

NOUN – VERB –PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

Sample Sentences Fire belched from the

dragon’s mouth.

The computer exploded.

The sewing machine hummed rhythmically.

Her diamond ring sparkled in the light.

My mother snores loudly.

Pattern Two: Noun – Verb – Noun/Adj. Subject-Verb-Direct Object

The second noun receives the action in this pattern.

For example: Eli smacked his brother. (“Brother” receives the

action or “brother” gets smacked)

Nate slurps the water. (“Water” receives that

action or “water” gets slurped.)

NOT N-V-N The car crashed into the

pole Bob hiked up the hill. Why not?

Sample Sentences: The car crusher devoured

the wrecked cars Our secretary typed the

newsletter. A bumblebee stung my

sister. The waiter dropped the tray

of dishes. Van Gogh painted

sunflowers.

Pattern Three: Interrogative

Interrogative comes from the word interrogate, which means to question.

Questions start with what, who, which, why, where, when, or how.

What rules do good writers follow to produce good writing?

When will English class end?

How many paintings did Picasso produce during this blue period?

Who drives the red Corvette?

Where did I park the van?

Examples

Pattern Four: Open with an Adverb

Information on adverbs: Adverbs describe verbs,

adjectives, or other adverbs.

Adverbs describe how, when, where, or why.

Many adverbs end in –ly. When you open with an

adverb, follow with a comma.

Sample Sentences Carefully, the doctor

removed the splinter from my hand.

Yesterday, the cooks served pizza.

Cautiously, the trick or treaters opened the squeaky door.

Confidently, Jill marched to the podium.

Exuberantly, the crowd roared and thrust their arms into the air.

Pattern Five: Open with a Prepositional Phrase

Information on Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases that open a sentence will be adverb phrases describing how, when, where, and why.

Prepositional phrases DO NOT CONTAIN VERBS.

Prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence need a comma. Sometimes there may be more than one prepositional phrase in a row. Put the comma after them.

List of PrepositionsAboard About Above Across After

Against Along Amid Among Around

At Before Behind Below Beneath

Beside Besides Between Beyond But (meaning

except)

By Concerning Down during Except

For From In Into Like

Of Off On Over Past

Since Through Throughout To Toward

Under Underneath Until Unto Up

Upon With Within without

List of Compound Prepositions According to By means of For the sake of In consideration of In respect to Out of Along side of By reason of In addition to In opposition with In spite of With reference to

Along with By way of In accordance with In front of Instead of With regard to Because of Contrary to In case of In regard to On account of With respect to

Sample Sentences: Pattern 5 With total confidence, the guard launched a three

pointer to win the game.

In the morning, the chef cut the lemons.

In the corner of the classroom, stands the teacher.

On the beach, the family enjoyed the morning sun.

Because of the ice storm, Grandpa stayed home.

Sentence Pattern Six: Use an Appositive

Appositives can follow any noun in the sentence, no matter where it’s located.

An appositive renames the noun.

Appositives are set off by commas.

The singer, a blues crooner, sang at Blueberry Hill.

Many people attended the funeral of Jane Smith, the mayor’s wife.

My mother bought a new outfit, a pair of jean shorts, and a pink T-shirt.

Puck, a mischievous fairy, served Oberon, the king of the fairies.

Pattern 7: Using Parallel Structure in Words

• Mom bought chips, soda, and hamburgers for the picnic.

• Mom bought, packed, and wrapped a frozen pie for the picnic.

• She listened, discussed, and made her decision on which college to attend.

Also known as a Magic 3!

Pattern 8: Open with an Adjective

• What’s an adjective?• An adjective describes a

noun.• Adjectives tell WHAT

KIND, WHICH ONE, HOW MANY, or HOW MUCH. The opening adjective will describe “what kind” exclusively for this pattern.

• Most adjectives do not in “ly”.

Information on Pattern 8:• The opening adjective needs

to be set off with a comma.• The opening adjective will

describe the subject of the sentence if you have written it correctly.

Pattern 8: Open with an Adjective

EXAMPLES• Ecstatic, the audience clapped their

hands.• Energetic, the racer crossed the finish line.• Frightened, the puppy hid under the porch.• Cynical, the older man mistrusted the

doctor’s diagnosis.• Overconfident, the hare lost the race to the

tortoise.

Pattern 9: Compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction

Information A compound sentence is made up of 2

complete, related sentences joined together.

Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. You can easily remember them by using FANBOYS.

A compound sentence w/a conjunction needs a comma in the middle of the 2 joined sentences.

Pattern 10: Compound Sentence with a semi-colon.

A compound sentence is made up of 2 complete, related sentences joined together.

The semi-colon connects the two sentences. DO NOT capitalize the word that comes after the semi-colon.

Pattern 10: Compound Sentence with a semi-colon

Examples: The tired runner turned the corner; a competitor

passed him on the straightaway. Our baseball team competed in the state

tournament; they won the first-round game. George Washington served as our first

president; Abraham Lincoln served as our sixteenth president.

Sentence Pattern 11 and 12: Open/Close with an Adverb Clause• Information on Adverb Clauses:

• Clauses contain a noun and a verb.• Pattern 11: Opens with an adverb clause and

has a comma after the clause• Pattern 12: If the adverb clause appears in

the middle, you do not need a comma.

Sentence Pattern 11 and 12: Open/Close with an Adverb Clause

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSAfter

Although

As

As if

As long as

As though

Because

Before

Even if

Even though

If

If only

in order that

Now that

Once

Since

So that

Than

Though

Till

Unless

Until

When

Whenever

Where

Whereas

while

Copy this table into your notes.

Sentence Pattern 11: Open w/ an Adverb Clause

• As if he could read the other player’s mind, the guard stole the basketball on the pass.

• After the child fell from the boat, the Labrador leaped into the water.

• Because they sold their house, my parents lived in a camper for five months until they completed their new house.

• Although pizza is my favorite, I decided to order spaghetti.

• While my husband watched the football game, I read a book.

Sentences Starting with “Because”Sentences Starting with “Because”

““Because” can be troublesome if it is used at the Because” can be troublesome if it is used at the beginning of a sentence. beginning of a sentence.

If it is not used correctly, it will be a fragment.If it is not used correctly, it will be a fragment. It must be used in an clause (extra info).It must be used in an clause (extra info).

1. 1. Because he was so talented, he won the Because he was so talented, he won the contest.contest.

2. 2. Because he was talented.Because he was talented.

Pattern 12: Close w/ Adverb Clause

• The guard stole the basketball on the pass as if he could read the other player’s mind.

• The Labrador leapt into the water after the child fell from the boat.

• My parents lived in a camper for five months because they sold their house.

• Angela ran faster than Rachel did.• Every afternoon, Andrew stares at the television

until his mother arrives home from work.

Pattern 13: Use Parallel Structure in Phrases and Clauses

• Pattern 13: Parallel Phrases and Clauses• The Habitat for Humanity volunteers hung

sheetrock, painted siding, and poured concrete.

• The principal created the rule, the teachers enforced it, and the students complied.

• The doctor instructed me to take my medicine in the morning, at lunchtime, and before bedtime.

Pattern 7 and 13: Fixing Unparallel Structure

• UNPARALLELIn winter I usually like skiing,

sledding, and to skate.

The math teacher asked that we complete our work quickly, accurately, and with careful attention to detail.

Football fans praise a quarterback’s speed, skill, and how agile he is.

• PARALLELIn winter I usually like skiing,

sledding, and __________.

The math teacher asked that we complete our work quickly, accurately, and ________________.

Football fans praise a quarterback’s speed, skill, and __________________.

Pattern 14: Open with an Adjective Phrase

Information• An adjective phrase begins with an adjective and is

followed by a prepositional phrase.• Remember, a phrase does not contain a verb; then,

it would be a clause.• Similes or comparisons that use like or as may be

used in this pattern (as long as no verb is used). (Examples: proud as a peacock or grumpy like a wet cat.)

• The adjective phrase will be set off with a comma.• The adjective phrase describes the subject of the

sentence.

Pattern 14: Open with an Adjective Phrase

• Afloat with confidence, the homecoming queen tripped on the steps and fell.

• Excited as a child in a chocolate factory, Sheila waved her arms and jumped up and down. (simile)

• Worried because of the hurricane, our landlord boarded up the windows of our condo.

• Sick with worry, my sister asked her neighbors to please help find her kitten.

• Proud of his accomplishments, my son waved his diploma in the air.

Pattern 15: Use a Restrictive Adjective Clause

Information on adjective clauses

Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns: who, that, whose, which, where, when.

Adjective clauses can follow any noun; they do not have to follow the subject.

Information on Restrictive adjective clauses

Restrictive clauses usually follow a common noun; non-restrictive clauses often follow proper nouns.

The restrictive clause cannot be eliminated from the sentence because it gives vital information.

Restrictive adjective clauses are NOT set off by commas.

Pattern 15: Use a Restrictive Adjective

Examples:• The girls that failed the test could not play in the next

soccer game.• The restrictive clause tells the reader exactly which

girls cannot play. If the restrictive clause is removed, it would become unclear as to which girls could not play in the next game.

Oprah bought a Corvette for each employee who had worked for her over ten years.

• The restrictive clause tells exactly which employees received cars. If the restrictive clause is removed, it becomes unclear which employees received the cars.

Pattern 16: Non-restrictive Adjective clause

Information on adjective clauses: Adjective clauses begin with

relative pronouns: who, that, whose, which, where, when.

Adjective clauses can follow any noun; they do not have to follow the subject.

Information about non-restrictive adjective clauses:

Non-restrictive clauses often follow a proper noun.

Non-restrictive clauses often follow a noun that names a specific person.

The clauses are NOT NEEDED in the sentence- they just provided extra information.

These clauses MUST be set off by commas.

Pattern 16: Use a Non-restrictive Adjective Clause

Examples: Mark McGwire, who set a home run record, now

lives in California. Central High’s superintendent, who drives a PT

Cruiser, purchases a new car every 5 years. The fair, which is an annual event, is sponsored

by local merchants Mel vacations in Buck County, which is in

Pennsylvania. Notice that you can throw away the clause and

everyone still knows exactly who or what you are talking about.

Pattern 17: Compound Sentence with a Conjunctive Adverb

A compound sentence is made up of 2 complete, related sentences joined together.

The sentences are joined by a semi-colon (like pattern 10).

The semi-colon is followed by a CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB and a COMMA.

Conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, afterwards, also, consequently, however, indeed, likewise, moreover, nevertheless, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, still, therefore

Pattern 17: Compound Sentence with a Conjunctive Adverb

Examples: My mother forgot her cell phone;

consequently, she could not call me from her car.

I ate too much lasagna for dinner; nevertheless, I found room for ice cream.

Puppies make good pets; however, they require constant attention.

Pattern 18: Open with a Present Infinitive

Information• TO + a verb = an infinitive• TO + verb + an optional noun

or a phrase that tells Who is doing the action and WHY.

• The infinitive phrase describes the subject.

• The infinitive phrase needs to be set off with a comma.

EXAMPLES• To prevent a mess, the chef

covered the bubbling pot.• To hold down costs, the studio

filmed all three Lord of the Rings movies at the same time.

• To ensure a safe trip, my dad purchased new tires for the car.

• To secure his position on the team, my brother began lifting weights.

• To arrive to class on time, he often has to run through the hallway.

Pattern 19: Open with a Present Participle Phrase

Info:Present participles end with –

ING. The phrase is created by adding a prepositional phrase.

-ING word + a prep. phrase

In this pattern the present participle describes the SUBJECT of the sentence.

Don’t forget: As with all opening phrases, this one needs a comma after it.

Examples: Surveying for her next meal,

the jaguar slinks along the path.

Gazing at the starlit sky, Van Gogh painted his next masterpiece.

Reflecting on her bad weekend, Stacy gazed out the window.

Sprinting through the hallway, Dominque tripped over his shoelaces.

Smiling with anticipation, the child waited for the carousel ride to begin.

Pattern 19: Open with a Present Participle Phrase

Troubleshooting (You do not need to copy.) Working as a team, the students created a PowerPoint

presentation. (“Working as a team” is anchored to students and describes students.”

Working as a team, the PowerPoint presentation the students produced was innovative. (“working as a team” is anchored to PowerPoint, but describes students; this is a dangling participle.)

Searching for answers, the students surfed the internet. (“Searching for answers” is anchored to students and describes students.”

Searching for answers, the Internet provided the information the students needed. (“Searching for answers” is anchored to Internet, but describes the students; this is a dangling participle.)

Pattern 20: Open with a Past Participle Phrase

Information about Past Participles: Step 1: Use the past tense form of a verb.

(The verb will end in “ed” if it is a regular verb.)

Step 2: Add a prepositional phrase. Again, the past participle describes the

subject. Again, don’t forget the comma.

Pattern 20: Open with a Past Pattern 20: Open with a Past Participle PhraseParticiple Phrase

Examples: Ignored by her classmates, the child sat

quietly in her desk. Praised for his accomplishments, the child

prodigy blushed. Shattered during the riot, the broken glass

littered the street. Blessed with good health, my grandmother

celebrated her centennial birthday.

Pattern 21: Open with a Perfect Participle Phrase

Information: How?

Begin sentence with “Having”, follow with verb in the past tense, and add a prepositional phrase or noun.

The perfect participle must describe the subject of the sentence.

Don’t forget the comma.

Pattern 21: Open with a Perfect Participle Phrase

Examples: Having hoped for a new computer, my sister pouted

when she received a coat for Christmas. Having lived in Chicago for ten years, Betsy found

Collinsville quite boring. Having failed her test, Amelia pouted for the rest of

the class. Having completed the project, the exhausted

student crashed on the couch. Having solved the case, Sherlock Holmes gathered

all the suspects before revealing the murder.

Pattern 22: Compound Sentence with an elliptical expression

A compound sentence is made up of 2 complete, related sentences joined together.

In an elliptical expression, the verb is usually dropped from the second sentence since it would be the same word.

The word (s) dropped from the second sentence are replaced by a comma.

Pattern 22: Compound Sentence with an elliptical expression

Examples: Jeff Garcia threw an interception; Marc

Bulger, a touchdown. (The word “threw” is replaced by a comma in the second sentence.)

Sugar smells sweet; Bleu cheese, bitter. Apples contain seeds; peaches, pits. Ryan hit a homerun; Brett, a triple.

Pattern 23: Use a parenthetical expression between subject and verb

A parenthetical expression is a string of words which contains relevant and non-essential information.

Since we are placing our parenthetical expression between the subject and verb, we will place commas on both sides of it.

It is NOT an appositive (like #6) It is NOT an adjective phrase (like #16)

Pattern 23: Use a parenthetical expression between subject and verb

Examples: The escaped tiger, as far as we know, has

not returned to the zoo. Global warming, according to the film An

Inconvenient Truth, threatens the balance of life on our planet.

The parrot, regardless of its pretty appearance, squawks all night long.

Pattern 24: Open with a parallel structure followed by a closing statement

Use parallel structure (see patterns 7 and 13) with a dash (--) followed by a statement about the list.

Example: Climbing mountains, running marathons, and

biking trails – these activities give me a great rush.