1. SENTENCE VARIATION MODELS 11-15
Creating Effective Sentences

2. SVM #11: Begin with an ADVERBIAL CLAUSE.
An independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a sentence.
A dependent, or subordinate clause, has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.
A dependent clause often begins with a subordinating conjunction such as when, because, although, while, since, etc.
In an ADVERVIAL CLAUSE the subordinating conjunction will relate to time.
An ADVERBIAL CLAUSE will be tied to the action of the other part of the sentence.

3. SVM #11: Begin with an ADVERBIAL CLAUSE.
In the example below, the active verbs are: will play.
The adverbial clause will add description to that verb set by answering the question: when will the mice play?
Answer: While the cat is away.
While the cat is away, the mice will play.

4. Examples of SVM #11
While I was walking home, the rain began to fall in torrents.
Because he had a past family history of the disease, the doctor put the patient on a very strict dietary regimen.
Since my test was coming up soon, I decided to forego the movie and stay home to study.
When this project is over, I plan to sleep for a week.
Although you may think differently, that plan is the best one on our list.

5. Now it’s your turn.
Using your first five vocabulary words, write five sentences that begin with an adverbial clause. Use a different subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

6. SVM #12: Postpone the subject.
The trick to writing a sentence and postponing the subject is to start by writing a normally structured sentence, like this: A large wreath hung on the front door.
Then identify the complete subject: A large wreath
Rearrange the sentence so that it still makes sense placing the subject at the back of the sentence.
On the front door hung a large wreath.

7. Examples of SVM #12
With that final decision came a flood of unwanted emotion.
After the intense battle remained innumerable dead and wounded.
With the fall of the Berlin wall erupted a heretofore unknown sense of freedom and began a long overdue rebuilding.
From behind the tree stepped the tallest, thinnest creature of all.

8. Now it’s your turn.
Using vocabulary words 6-10, write five sentences in which you place the subject after the verb.

9. SVM #13: Begin with a VERB. The verb is a word that contains action..
When the sentence begins with the verb, it should be the present tense form of the verb.
Do not use –ing, to, or –ed attached to the verb.
The verb should be in active voice.
This type of sentence is known as an imperative and is used as a command or an instruction.
Stand and deliver your testimony before this court.

10. Examples of SVM #13 Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.
Stop right there, young man!
Bring me that file please.
Let that be your final word on the subject.

11. Now it’s your turn.
Using vocabulary words 11-15, write five sentences that begin with the verb.

12. SVM #14: Begin with a CONJUNCTION.
Remember the conjunction words are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Yet still I wished him here with me to provide the companionship I craved.

13. Examples of SVM #9
But, of course, I never would have said such a thing had I known what she had been through.
And why don’t you stop at the grocery store while you’re out?

14. Now it’s your turn.
Using vocabulary words 16-20, write five sentences that begin with a conjunction.

15. SVM #15: Begin with a NOUN CLAUSE.
Start the sentence with the word That.
This clause must be used as the subject of the sentence.
That the girl was frozen by fear was obvious to the detective.

16. Examples of SVM #10
That he was the guilty party seemed evident by his words and his body language.
That he was playing completely out of his league never occurred to him until he made a fool of himself in front of thousands of fans.
That she was supposed to meet Derek at Starbucks was the one message Phil forgot to deliver to Teresa.
That one should look his best in the interview should have been at the top of Mike’s list.

17. Now it’s your turn.
Using vocabulary words 21-25, write five sentences that begin with a noun clause.