Creating complex sentences Wednesday 14th March 2012

Let’s play a game …….. In groups of three or four use the sentence maker game to create some interesting sentences. Now let’s share some of those sentences.

Let’s Put an end to splicing! Splicing is when you join two sentences together without using a conjunction, semi-colon or even a full stop and capital letter. HINT: Listen out for a pause when the sentence is read. e.g. David dragged his heels to the shop he was in a foul mood. (splice) David dragged his heels to the shop, he was in a foul mood. (comma splice) David dragged his heels to the shop because he was in a foul mood. (corrected with conjunction) David dragged his heels to the shop; he was in a foul mood. (corrected with semi-colon) David dragged his heels to the shop. He was in a foul mood. (corrected with new sentence)

Let’s Put an end to splicing! Splicing is most commonly caused by using pronouns incorrectly. Common pronouns are: I, you, it, she, he, we, they… Common conjunctions are: and, but, although, even though, yet, because, until, whereas, despite, whilst, so, since, as, after, so that, before, once, which…

Let’s Put an end to splicing! Now correct these sentences using a different technique or conjunction each time. 1) Ali stepped cautiously onto the pad he couldn’t believe what he saw. 2) “It’s amazing!” exclaimed Anna she was completely taken aback. 3) I think it would be better to go home now we need to go to bed. 4) Adam was extremely pleased with his work Beth was completely disgusted.

And complex sentences…remember them? What is a complex sentence? A complex sentence is a two or more sentences joined together. They usually start with a compound sentence (2 sentences joined), but with added detail, using extra punctuation. HINT: That last sentence was complex!

And complex sentences…remember them? We can add more detail to a sentence by adding a new phrase with commas, brackets or dashes. Have a look at the example below. Example: It was a beautiful summer’s day as Alan paced towards the pier. It was a beautiful summer’s day as Alan, with his prize held high, paced towards the pier. It was a beautiful summer’s day (probably the hottest that year) as Alan paced towards the pier. It was a beautiful summer’s day as Alan paced -with a bounce in his step - towards the pier.

Using embedded clauses We can add more information to a sentence by adding an embedded clause. For example… The girl chose a good book becomes The girl, who was sitting in the library, chose a good book. Have a go at completing some more of these.