1. Basic Sentence Patterns

2. Pattern #1: A simple sentence has only one independent clause.
Example: I reminisce about the days
of old with that old time rock and roll.
An independent clause must
have a subject,
have a verb,
and express a complete thought.

3. Correcting Fragments Make sure your sentence has a subject,
has a complete verb, and
expresses a complete thought.
Example: Sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away.
Correction: I’m sitting on the dock of the bay and watching the tide roll away.

4. We got a little crazy, but we never got caught.
Pattern #2: A compound sentence can be formed with a coordinating conjunction. f a n b o y s
,for
,and
,nor
,but
,or
,yet
,so
We got a little crazy, but we never got caught.
Not #2: I’m sitting on
the dock of the bay and
watching the tide roll
away.

5. Pattern #3: A compound sentence can be formed with a semicolon.
Independent clause; independent clause.
Love me tender; love me true.

6. Pattern #4: A compound sentence can also be formed with a conjunctive adverb.
;however,
;consequently,
;furthermore,
;therefore,
;then,
;now,
;nevertheless,
I simply remember my favorite things; then, I don’t feel so bad.

7. Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Run-on: The devil went down to Georgia he was looking for a soul to steal.
Comma splice: The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.

8. Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Correction using Pattern #1: The devil went down to Georgia. He was looking for a soul to steal.
Correction using Pattern #2: The devil went down to Georgia, and he was looking for a soul to steal.

9. Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Correction using Pattern #3: The devil went down to Georgia; he was looking for a soul to steal.
Correction using Pattern #4: The devil went down to Georgia; furthermore, he was looking for a soul to steal.

10. Subordinating conjunctions Dependent clause, independent clause.
Pattern #5: A complex sentence needs a comma if the dependent clause is before the independent one.
Subordinating conjunctions
after
although as
because
before if
Dependent clause,
independent clause.
If I leave here tomorrow,
would you still remember
me?

11. Would you still remember me if I leave here tomorrow?
Pattern #6: No punctuation is needed when the dependent clause is after the independent one.
Subordinating
conjunctions
since
unless
until
when
whereas
while
Independent clause
dependent clause.
Would you still remember me if I leave here tomorrow?

12. Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Run-on: The devil went down to Georgia he was looking for a soul to steal.
Comma splice: The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.

13. Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Correction using Pattern #5: When the devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.
Correction using Pattern #6: The devil went down to Georgia because he was looking for a soul to steal.

14. Correcting Fragments
Example of a fragment that is a dependent clause: When my soul was in the lost and found.
Example of fragment created by an incorrect semicolon: When my soul was in the lost and found; you came along to claim it.
Correction using Pattern #5: When my soul was in the lost and found, you came along to claim it.
Correction using Pattern #6: My soul was in the lost and found when you came along to claim it.

15. Combining the Basic Sentence Patterns
When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things.
I simply remember my favorite things; then, I don’t feel so bad.
When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things; then, I don’t feel so bad.
Patterns #5 and #4
Pattern #5
Pattern #4