Download Sentence Pattern Powerpoint

24 SENTENCE
PATTERNS
Pattern One:
Specific NOUN + Strong Action VERB

There are 3 ways to do
this pattern
 NOUN – VERB
 NOUN-VERBADVERB (a word that
describes the verb and
usually ends in ly)
 NOUN – VERB –
PREPOSITIONAL
PHRASE

Sample Sentences





Fire belched from the
dragon’s mouth.
The computer exploded.
The sewing machine
hummed rhythmically.
Her diamond ring sparkled
in the light.
My mother snores loudly.
Pattern Two: Noun – Verb – Noun/
Adj.
Subject-Verb-Direct Object

The second noun receives the
action in this pattern.

For example:
 Eli smacked his brother.
 (“Brother” receives the
action or “brother” gets
smacked)
 Nate slurps the water.
 (“Water” receives that
action or “water” gets
slurped.)
 NOT N-V-N
 The car crashed into the
pole
 Bob hiked up the hill.
 Why not?

Sample Sentences:





The car crusher devoured
the wrecked cars
Our secretary typed the
newsletter.
A bumblebee stung my
sister.
The waiter dropped the tray
of dishes.
Van Gogh painted
sunflowers.
Pattern Three: Interrogative


Interrogative comes from
the word interrogate,
which means to question.
Questions start with what,
who, which, why, where,
when, or how.





Examples
What rules do good
writers follow to produce
good writing?
When will English class
end?
How many paintings did
Picasso produce during
this blue period?
Who drives the red
Corvette?
Where did I park the van?
Pattern Four: Open with an Adverb

Information on adverbs:




Adverbs describe verbs,
adjectives, or other
adverbs.
Adverbs describe how,
when, where, or why.
Many adverbs end in –ly.
When you open with an
adverb, follow with a
comma.

Sample Sentences





Carefully, the doctor
removed the splinter
from my hand.
Yesterday, the cooks
served pizza.
Cautiously, the trick or
treaters opened the
squeaky door.
Confidently, Jill
marched to the
podium.
Exuberantly, the crowd
roared and thrust their
arms into the air.
Pattern Five: Open with a
Prepositional Phrase

Information on
Prepositional Phrases


Prepositional phrases
that open a sentence
will be adverb phrases
describing how, when,
where, and why.
Prepositional phrases
DO NOT CONTAIN
VERBS.

Prepositional phrases
at the beginning of a
sentence need a
comma. Sometimes
there may be more
than one prepositional
phrase in a row. Put
the comma after
them.
List of Prepositions
Aboard
Against
At
Beside
About
Along
Before
Besides
Above
Amid
Behind
Between
Across
Among
Below
Beyond
After
Around
Beneath
But (meaning
except)
By
For
Of
Since
Under
Upon
Concerning
From
Off
Through
Underneath
With
Down
In
On
Throughout
Until
Within
during
Into
Over
To
Unto
without
Except
Like
Past
Toward
Up
List of Compound Prepositions


According to
By means of
 For the sake of
 In consideration of
 In respect to
 Out of
 Along side of
 By reason of
 In addition to
 In opposition with
 In spite of
 With reference to


Along with
By way of
 In accordance with
 In front of
 Instead of
 With regard to
 Because of
 Contrary to
 In case of
 In regard to
 On account of
 With respect to
Sample Sentences: Pattern 5

With total confidence, the guard launched a three
pointer to win the game.

In the morning, the chef cut the lemons.

In the corner of the classroom, stands the teacher.

On the beach, the family enjoyed the morning sun.

Because of the ice storm, Grandpa stayed home.
Sentence Pattern Six: Use an
Appositive

Appositives can follow
any noun in the
sentence, no matter
where it’s located.
 An appositive
renames the noun.
 Appositives are set off
by commas.

The singer, a blues
crooner, sang at
Blueberry Hill.
 Many people attended
the funeral of Jane Smith,
the mayor’s wife.
 My mother bought a new
outfit, a pair of jean
shorts, and a pink T-shirt.
 Puck, a mischievous fairy,
served Oberon, the king
of the fairies.
Pattern 7: Using Parallel Structure in
Words
•
Mom bought chips, soda, and hamburgers for the
picnic.
•
Mom bought, packed, and wrapped a frozen pie for the
picnic.
•
She listened, discussed, and made her decision on
which college to attend.
Also known as a Magic 3!
Pattern 8: Open with an Adjective
•
What’s an adjective?
•
•
•
An adjective describes a
noun.
Adjectives tell WHAT KIND,
WHICH ONE, HOW MANY,
or HOW MUCH. The
opening adjective will
describe “what kind”
exclusively for this pattern.
Most adjectives do not in
“ly”.
Information on Pattern 8:
• The opening adjective needs
to be set off with a comma.
• The opening adjective will
describe the subject of the
sentence if you have written it
correctly.
Pattern 8: Open with an Adjective
EXAMPLES
• Ecstatic, the audience clapped their
hands.
• Energetic, the racer crossed the finish line.
• Frightened, the puppy hid under the porch.
• Cynical, the older man mistrusted the
doctor’s diagnosis.
• Overconfident, the hare lost the race to the
tortoise.
Pattern 9: Compound sentence
with a coordinating conjunction
Information
 A compound sentence is made up of 2 complete,
related sentences joined together.

Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor,
so, yet. You can easily remember them by using
FANBOYS.
 A compound sentence w/a conjunction needs a
comma in the middle of the 2 joined sentences.
Pattern 10: Compound Sentence
with a semi-colon.


A compound sentence is made up of 2
complete, related sentences joined
together.
The semi-colon connects the two
sentences. DO NOT capitalize the word
that comes after the semi-colon.
Pattern 10: Compound Sentence
with a semi-colon
Examples:
 The tired runner turned the corner; a competitor
passed him on the straightaway.
 Our baseball team competed in the state
tournament; they won the first-round game.
 George Washington served as our first
president; Abraham Lincoln served as our
sixteenth president.
Sentence Pattern 11 and 12:
Open/Close with an Adverb Clause
•
Information on Adverb Clauses:
•
•
•
Clauses contain a noun and a verb.
Pattern 11: Opens with an adverb clause and
has a comma after the clause
Pattern 12: If the adverb clause appears in
the middle, you do not need a comma.
Sentence Pattern 11 and 12:
Open/Close with an Adverb Clause
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As though
Because
Before
Even if
Even though
If
If only
in order that
Now that
Once
Since
So that
Than
Though
Till
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Whereas
while
Copy this table into your notes.
Sentence Pattern 11: Open w/ an
Adverb Clause
•
•
•
•
•
As if he could read the other player’s mind, the
guard stole the basketball on the pass.
After the child fell from the boat, the Labrador
leaped into the water.
Because they sold their house, my parents lived
in a camper for five months until they completed
their new house.
Although pizza is my favorite, I decided to order
spaghetti.
While my husband watched the football game, I
read a book.
Sentences Starting with “Because”
“Because” can be troublesome if it is used at the
beginning of a sentence.
 If it is not used correctly, it will be a fragment.
 It must be used in an clause (extra info).

1. Because he was so talented, he won the
contest.
2. Because he was talented.
Pattern 12: Close w/ Adverb
Clause
•
•
•
•
•
The guard stole the basketball on the pass as if
he could read the other player’s mind.
The Labrador leapt into the water after the child
fell from the boat.
My parents lived in a camper for five months
because they sold their house.
Angela ran faster than Rachel did.
Every afternoon, Andrew stares at the television
until his mother arrives home from work.
Pattern 13: Use Parallel Structure in
Phrases and Clauses
•
Pattern 13: Parallel Phrases and Clauses
•
•
•
The Habitat for Humanity volunteers hung
sheetrock, painted siding, and poured
concrete.
The principal created the rule, the teachers
enforced it, and the students complied.
The doctor instructed me to take my medicine
in the morning, at lunchtime, and before
bedtime.
Pattern 7 and 13: Fixing Unparallel
Structure
•
UNPARALLEL
•
PARALLEL
In winter I usually like skiing,
sledding, and to skate.
In winter I usually like skiing,
sledding, and __________.
The math teacher asked that we
complete our work quickly,
accurately, and with careful
attention to detail.
The math teacher asked that we
complete our work quickly,
accurately, and
________________.
Football fans praise a
quarterback’s speed, skill, and
how agile he is.
Football fans praise a
quarterback’s speed, skill, and
__________________.
Pattern 14: Open with an Adjective
Phrase
Information
• An adjective phrase begins with an adjective and is
followed by a prepositional phrase.
• Remember, a phrase does not contain a verb; then,
it would be a clause.
• Similes or comparisons that use like or as may be
used in this pattern (as long as no verb is used).
(Examples: proud as a peacock or grumpy like a
wet cat.)
• The adjective phrase will be set off with a comma.
• The adjective phrase describes the subject of the
sentence.
Pattern 14: Open with an Adjective
Phrase
•
Afloat with confidence, the homecoming queen tripped on
the steps and fell.
•
Excited as a child in a chocolate factory, Sheila waved her
arms and jumped up and down. (simile)
•
Worried because of the hurricane, our landlord boarded
up the windows of our condo.
•
Sick with worry, my sister asked her neighbors to please
help find her kitten.
•
Proud of his accomplishments, my son waved his diploma
in the air.
Pattern 15: Use a Restrictive
Adjective Clause
Information on adjective
clauses
 Adjective clauses begin
with relative pronouns:
who, that, whose,
which, where, when.
 Adjective clauses can
follow any noun; they
do not have to follow
the subject.
Information on Restrictive
adjective clauses
 Restrictive clauses
usually follow a common
noun; non-restrictive
clauses often follow
proper nouns.
 The restrictive clause
cannot be eliminated from
the sentence because it
gives vital information.
 Restrictive adjective
clauses are NOT set off by
commas.
Pattern 15: Use a Restrictive
Adjective
Examples:
•
The girls that failed the test could not play in the next
soccer game.
•
The restrictive clause tells the reader exactly which
girls cannot play. If the restrictive clause is removed,
it would become unclear as to which girls could not
play in the next game.
Oprah bought a Corvette for each employee who had
worked for her over ten years.
• The restrictive clause tells exactly which
employees received cars. If the restrictive clause
is removed, it becomes unclear which employees
received the cars.
Pattern 16: Non-restrictive
Adjective clause
Information on adjective clauses:
 Adjective clauses begin with
relative pronouns: who, that,
whose, which, where, when.




Adjective clauses can follow
any noun; they do not have to
follow the subject.


Information about nonrestrictive adjective clauses:
Non-restrictive clauses often
follow a proper noun.
Non-restrictive clauses often
follow a noun that names a
specific person.
The clauses are NOT
NEEDED in the sentencethey just provided extra
information.
These clauses MUST be set
off by commas.
Pattern 16: Use a Non-restrictive
Adjective Clause
Examples:
 Mark McGwire, who set a home run record, now
lives in California.
 Central High’s superintendent, who drives a PT
Cruiser, purchases a new car every 5 years.
 The fair, which is an annual event, is sponsored
by local merchants
 Mel vacations in Buck County, which is in
Pennsylvania.

Notice that you can throw away the clause and
everyone still knows exactly who or what you are
talking about.
Pattern 17: Compound Sentence
with a Conjunctive Adverb

A compound sentence is made up of 2 complete,
related sentences joined together.
 The sentences are joined by a semi-colon (like
pattern 10).
 The semi-colon is followed by a CONJUNCTIVE
ADVERB and a COMMA.
 Conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, afterwards,
also, consequently, however, indeed, likewise,
moreover, nevertheless, nonetheless, otherwise,
similarly, still, therefore
Pattern 17: Compound Sentence
with a Conjunctive Adverb
Examples:
 My mother forgot her cell phone;
consequently, she could not call me from
her car.
 I ate too much lasagna for dinner;
nevertheless, I found room for ice cream.
 Puppies make good pets; however, they
require constant attention.
Pattern 18: Open with a Present
Infinitive
Information
• TO + a verb = an infinitive
• TO + verb + an optional noun
or a phrase that tells Who is
doing the action and WHY.
• The infinitive phrase describes
the subject.
• The infinitive phrase needs to
be set off with a comma.
EXAMPLES
• To prevent a mess, the chef
covered the bubbling pot.
• To hold down costs, the studio
filmed all three Lord of the
Rings movies at the same
time.
• To ensure a safe trip, my dad
purchased new tires for the
car.
• To secure his position on the
team, my brother began lifting
weights.
• To arrive to class on time, he
often has to run through the
hallway.
Pattern 19: Open with a Present
Participle Phrase


Info:
Present participles end with –
ING. The phrase is created by
adding a prepositional
phrase.
Examples:


-ING word + a prep. phrase
 In this pattern the present
participle describes the
SUBJECT of the
sentence.
 Don’t forget: As with all
opening phrases, this one
needs a comma after it.



Surveying for her next meal,
the jaguar slinks along the
path.
Gazing at the starlit sky, Van
Gogh painted his next
masterpiece.
Reflecting on her bad
weekend, Stacy gazed out
the window.
Sprinting through the
hallway, Dominque tripped
over his shoelaces.
Smiling with anticipation,
the child waited for the
carousel ride to begin.
Pattern 19: Open with a Present
Participle Phrase

Troubleshooting (You do not need to copy.)




Working as a team, the students created a PowerPoint
presentation. (“Working as a team” is anchored to students and
describes students.”
Working as a team, the PowerPoint presentation the students
produced was innovative. (“working as a team” is anchored to
PowerPoint, but describes students; this is a dangling participle.)
Searching for answers, the students surfed the internet.
(“Searching for answers” is anchored to students and describes
students.”
Searching for answers, the Internet provided the information the
students needed. (“Searching for answers” is anchored to
Internet, but describes the students; this is a dangling participle.)
Pattern 20: Open with a Past
Participle Phrase
Information about Past Participles:
 Step 1: Use the past tense form of a verb.
(The verb will end in “ed” if it is a regular
verb.)
 Step 2: Add a prepositional phrase.
 Again, the past participle describes the
subject.
 Again, don’t forget the comma.
Pattern 20: Open with a Past
Participle Phrase
Examples:
 Ignored by her classmates, the child sat
quietly in her desk.
 Praised for his accomplishments, the child
prodigy blushed.
 Shattered during the riot, the broken glass
littered the street.
 Blessed with good health, my grandmother
celebrated her centennial birthday.
Pattern 21: Open with a Perfect
Participle Phrase
Information:
 How?



Begin sentence with “Having”, follow with verb
in the past tense, and add a prepositional
phrase or noun.
The perfect participle must describe the
subject of the sentence.
Don’t forget the comma.
Pattern 21: Open with a Perfect
Participle Phrase
Examples:
 Having hoped for a new computer, my sister pouted
when she received a coat for Christmas.
 Having lived in Chicago for ten years, Betsy found
Collinsville quite boring.
 Having failed her test, Amelia pouted for the rest of
the class.
 Having completed the project, the exhausted
student crashed on the couch.
 Having solved the case, Sherlock Holmes gathered
all the suspects before revealing the murder.
Pattern 22: Compound Sentence
with an elliptical expression



A compound sentence is made up of 2
complete, related sentences joined
together.
In an elliptical expression, the verb is
usually dropped from the second sentence
since it would be the same word.
The word (s) dropped from the second
sentence are replaced by a comma.
Pattern 22: Compound Sentence
with an elliptical expression
Examples:
 Jeff Garcia threw an interception; Marc
Bulger, a touchdown. (The word “threw” is
replaced by a comma in the second
sentence.)
 Sugar smells sweet; Bleu cheese, bitter.
 Apples contain seeds; peaches, pits.
 Ryan hit a homerun; Brett, a triple.
Pattern 23: Use a parenthetical
expression between subject and verb




A parenthetical expression is a string of
words which contains relevant and nonessential information.
Since we are placing our parenthetical
expression between the subject and verb, we
will place commas on both sides of it.
It is NOT an appositive (like #6)
It is NOT an adjective phrase (like #16)
Pattern 23: Use a parenthetical expression
between subject and verb
Examples:
 The escaped tiger, as far as we know, has
not returned to the zoo.
 Global warming, according to the film An
Inconvenient Truth, threatens the balance
of life on our planet.
 The parrot, regardless of its pretty
appearance, squawks all night long.
Pattern 24: Open with a parallel structure
followed by a closing statement

Use parallel structure (see patterns 7 and
13) with a dash (--) followed by a statement
about the list.
Example:

Climbing mountains, running marathons, and
biking trails – these activities give me a great
rush.