Sentence Structure
**Experienced writers vary their sentence structure. They know that an array of sentence patterns helps the reader
maintain interest in their writing. Throughout 9th grade English, you should begin to experiment with your sentence
structure and find new ways to express meaning.
Simple Structure
Pattern #1: Open with an adverb
Use a comma after an adverb that opens a sentence if the adverb receives special stress.
Examples: Heroically, the bystander dove into the frigid river to save the child.
Tomorrow I have two tests.
Pattern #2: Open with a prepositional phrase.
Preposition phrases connect different parts of the structure of a sentence by describing nouns and verbs. Use a comma
after a long introductory prepositional phrase or if the prepositional phrase requires special stress.
Examples: In the last act of Romeo and Juliet, the main characters give their lives for one another.
At dusk the deer became easier to spot.
Pattern #3: Have a verb precede a subject.
The normal word order in the English language places the subject first followed by the verb. Reversing the normal order
can catch the reader’s attention. However, use this sentence pattern sparingly or your writing will seem awkward.
Examples: Beside the house grew a large tree.
Closer and closer floated the blimp.
Pattern #4: Open with an adjective.
Typically, single word adjectives precede the words they modify; however, pulled away from those words and placed in
the front of a sentence and followed by a comma, they gain emphasis.
Examples: Excited, the children looked forward to going to Disneyland.
Anxious, the patient awaited the results of the test.
Pattern #5: Open with an adjective phrase.
Adjective phrases consist of an adjective plus a group of words, often a prepositional phrase without a subject and verb.
Adjective phrases at the beginning of a sentence need a comma.
Examples: Passionate on the subject, he spoke for an hour.
White with fear, the student entered the principal’s office.
Pattern #6: Use apposition
Appositives repeat a noun or pronoun. An appositive is an excellent pattern to reduce wordiness and to eliminate
“being” words.
Example: The professor, an expert in cultural anthropology, has studied tribes in New Guinea extensively.
Verbals
Information about verbals:
*Formed from verbs, but do not act as verbs
*Three types of verbals: infinitive, participles, and gerunds
Pattern #7: Open with a present infinitive
Create a present infinitive by putting to before the present tense verb.
Example: To improve his mind became his goal.
Pattern #8: Open with a present participle
A participle acts as an adjective; thus, a writer must place the participle next to the noun or pronoun it describes.
Example: Writing hurriedly, I finished the test.
Patter #9: Open with a present gerund
Gerunds act like nouns. To form the present gerund, add –ing to the verb. The gerund looks identical to the participle.
However, the participle functions as an adjective; whereas, the gerund operates as a noun.
Example: Creating powerful sentences requires creativity and variety.
Clauses
Information about clauses;
*Clauses have a subject and predicate but depend on the rest of the sentence to make sense.
*Two kinds of clauses: adverbial and adjective
Pattern #10: Open with an adverbial clause.
An adverbial clause explains the conditions of the verb.
Examples: If you try hard enough, you will succeed. (trying hard = condition for success.
When summer comes, we will go on vacation. (coming of summer = condition for vacation)
Pattern #11: Use an adjective clause
These words - who, who, whose, which, and that open adjective clauses and further describe a noun in the sentence.
Examples: The team that makes the fewest mistakes often wins.
He introduced me to his girlfriend, whom he obviously adores.
Compound Sentences
Information about compound sentences:
*consist of two simple sentences joined together.
Pattern #12: Write a compound sentence using a coordinating conjunction
Coordinating conjunctions include: and, but, or nor, for, yet, so. You must use a comma before the sentence or else you
will have a run on.
Example: The student expected an A in the course, for he had completed all assignments to the best of his ability.
Pattern #13: Write a compound sentence with a semicolon without a conjunction
This compound sentence should include two closely related statements about the same idea. Rather than using a
coordinating conjunction, use a semicolon between the two statements.
Example: A lowered grade results when you do not turn work in on tme; failure results when you do not turn in your
work at all.
Pattern #14: Write a compound sentence using a semicolon before a coordinating
conjunction because commas already appear in the sentence.
Example: Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State belong to the Big Ten; but Pitt belongs to the Big East Conference.
Pattern #15: Write a compound sentence using a semicolon before a comma after a
conjunctive adverb
The relationship between the ideas will determine the choice of the conjunction.
Conjunctions meaning and: also, besides, furthermore, likewise, moreover
Conjunctions meaning but: however, nevertheless, still, on the other hand, instead
Conjunctions that show result: accordingly, consequently, therefore, thus
Examples: The mechanic failed to secure the oxygen containers; therefore, they exploded.
Curwensville should require students to wear uniforms; furthermore, the teachers should follow a strict
dress code.