Sentence Branching 1
Mrs. Shean
Main Sentences
Sentences can be like rivers-they flow. Often
they flow without bumping into anything. The
three sentences below are like that; they flow
without bumping into anything. We can call
these sentences main sentences.
- Meredith ate a hot fudge sundae.
- Meredith ate a hot fudge sundae with nuts and whipped
cream.
- Meredith ate a hot fudge sundae with nuts and whipped cream
and a cherry on top.
Branches
Sometimes, “stuff” interrupts the flow of a main
sentence. That “stuff” can come anywhere in
the sentence – at the front, in the middle, or at
the end. The “stuff” is separated from the main
sentence with a comma or commas. When this
“stuff” appears in a sentence it is called a
branch.
Front, Middle, & End Branches
“Stuff” = Knowing that she would ruin her dinner
- _____________________________, Meredith ate a
hot fudge sundae.
- Meredith, _____________________________, ate a
hot fudge sundae.
- Meredith ate a hot fudge sundae,
_______________________.
It may be a front branch, but that
doesn’t mean it is an end branch!
Prepositional phrases at the end of a sentence are considered
part of the main sentence. However, if a prepositional phrase
occurs out of its natural order and introduces a sentence, then
it is considered a front branch.
Main sentence:
James left for school with a can of Pepsi in his jacket pocket.
Front Branch:
With a can of Pepsi in his jacket pocket, James left for school.
-With nuts and whipped cream and a cherry on top,
Meredith ate a hot fudge sundae.
You Try…
Write down the main sentence from the examples below:
1) Racing down the hall as fast as he could, Jeremy tried to
make it to his first period class on time.
2) Robert went to the movie early, hoping to get a seat near the
front.
3) Stacie’s little sister, who was a tattle-tale, ran outside before
Stacie could strangle her.
Correct Your Answers
The main sentences are bolded.
1)
Racing down the hall as fast as he could, Jeremy
tried to make
it to his first period class on time.
2)
Robert went to the movie early, hoping to get a seat near
the front.
3)
Stacie’s little sister, who was a tattle-tale, ran outside
before Stacie could strangle her.