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An Overview of English
Sentence Patterns
In its simplest form, an English sentence has
two parts:
a subject, and
a verb
that express a complete thought when they
are together.
Subject
The subject shows who or what is doing the
action.
It is always some form of noun or pronoun.
Verb
The verb shows the action or the state of
being.
It can be an action verb, like “run,”
or a state verb, like “seem.”
Examples
Wayne slept.
Dogs bark.
Most sentences are rarely so short.
We usually want to convey much more
information, so we modify the main subject
and verb with other words and phrases.
Examples
Unfortunately, Wayne slept poorly last night.
Dogs bark louder after midnight.
Despite the extra information, each of the
previous example sentences has one subject
and one verb, so it’s still just one clause.
What’s a clause?
Clauses
A clause is the combination of a
subject and a verb.
Pretty easy, isn’t it?
Well . . .
Two types of Clauses
Independent and Dependent
Independent Clauses
Independent Clauses make a complete thought.
They can stand on their own,
because they make sense!
Dependent Clauses
Dependent Clauses do not make a complete
thought.
They always need to be attached to an
independent clause, because they are too weak
to stand on their own.
The 4 Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence
Sentence Patterns
Every sentence pattern combines clauses in a
different way.
Try not to favor one particular pattern,
otherwise your writing might become boring!
Tip
Because nouns perform so many functions in a
sentence, it’s easier to analyze sentence
patterns by finding the verbs and connectors1.
1Connectors
– Conjunctions and other connecting words.
Conventions
In the following descriptions,
S=Subject and V=Verb.
Options for arranging the clauses in each
sentence pattern are given in parentheses –
for example, (SV.)
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
One independent clause (SV.)
Mr. Han teaches English.
I see.
Simple Sentences are not necessarily short!
Compound Subject
Linda and Ann arrived at the bus station before
noon and left on the bus before I arrived.
Compound Verb
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 1)
Two or more independent clauses.
(SV, and SV.)
Connectors with a comma (Conjunctions)
The FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 1)
Mr. Han teaches English at HIT, but I’ve never
had him for a class.
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 2)
Two or more independent clauses.
(SV; however, SV.)
Connectors with a semicolon and comma (Conjunctive Adverbs):
also, in addition, besides, consequently, finally, for example,
furthermore, however, in fact, instead, meanwhile, moreover,
otherwise, still, then, therefore, thus
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence (Form 2)
I see; however, that seems strange.
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
One independent clause
PLUS one or more dependent clauses.
(SV because SV.)
(Because SV, SV.)
(S, because SV, V.)
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
Connectors are always at the beginning of a
dependent clause.
(SV because SV.)
(Because SV, SV.)
(S, because SV, V.)
I highly recommend eating chocolate because
it tastes so good.
Although I love chocolate, I won’t eat any
while I’m on a diet.
Mr. Han, because he can’t stick to his diet, has
become pleasantly plump.
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence
Two or more independent clauses
PLUS one or more dependent clauses.
(SV, and SV because SV.)
(Because SV, SV, but SV.)
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence
Because I love learning Chinese, I study every
day, but I don’t get enough practice speaking.
(Because SV, SV, but SV.)
The 4 Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence
Pattern 3: Complex Sentence
Pattern 4: Compound-Complex Sentence