Parallel Structure

Forms a list of ideas. Pattern for readers to follow. Picking adverbs, adjectives, or nouns but
don’t change the type.
Every item on the list is the same
Infinitives = “to__”
Gerund: -ing
He likes speaking, baking cookies, and eating them.
Adverb parallelism: “ly”
Proudly, devotedly, and lovingly.

Pattern 4: Parallel Structure

4. The first graders gathered around their teacher,

1. verbs)
 2. The students all got into great colleges, despite
terrible difficulties, bad grades, and bad
manners, 

Syntax 
 Ordering of language or grammatical order (syntax means to put together and order)

Sentence
A sentence is a grammatically complete idea. 
 Has a subject - the noun/pronoun
 Has a predicate - the verb part or the action of the subject

Note: Not all sentences have to have both parts. 

Ex.
 I am = I is pronoun am is the action 
 Pick up that muffin = a sentence that you are telling someone to do something

In this, you don’t have to have a subject because it is an order

Types of sentences:
Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, Exclamation
1. Declarative
It is a type of sentence that states a fact or opinion. It makes a statement. 
Ex. I love that burger.
2. Interrogative
It is a type of sentence that asks a question.
Ex. What did you do last class?
3. Imperative
It is a type of sentence that tells someone a command. To tell someone to do
something. Has no subject but it is implied (the person who is being told that). This
means it is in 2nd person.
Ex. Eat your vegetables.

1. Exclamation sentence
A type of sentence or word that expresses strong emotion. It is important to note that
it can be interjections.
Ex. 
 Imperative sentence “look out!” 
 Declarative sentence “there is an ogre!”
 Interjection “Ouch!” “Dang!”
  It can be used to show excitement as it shows someone speaking loudly.
2. Interjection
Interjections are usually a word or a short phrase (not a full sentence) that are simply
short quick remarks that might interrupt something. 
Ex. Shoot!

Note: To improve writing, it is important to vary sentence structure and length. - Ms.
Kemsley

Simple Sentences
 Contains basic elements. A subject, verb, and a completed thought.
 Can be two words => “I waited”
 May include a prepositional phrase
 Usually starts with on, under, in, next to, later - time
 Ex. The train was late. (the train = subject, was late = combination verb)
 Ex. Mary and Sam took the bus. (Mary and Sam = subject, took = verb, took the bus
= predicate or verb + information around it)
To make a simple sentence more complex…
 Add adverbs - ex. I loved her unconditionally (more sophisticated than adjectives)
 Adjectives can be used to support nouns.
 Simple + Appositive
 A phrase that includes a noun that adds more information to the main noun. 
 Ex. I love Jeff, the handsome math teacher.
 William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright in history, wrote Romeo and Juliet.
 Appositive phrase that interrupts the main sentence but it does not contain a verb.
 Total sentence: simple sentence (1 subject + 1 verb).

Compound Sentences
 Two independent clauses (complete sentences) connected to one another with a
“coordinating conjunction”
 The two independent clauses weigh the same and are balanced.
 FANBOYS are coordinating conjunctions = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
 A comma cannot stand on its own to join two sentences. A conjunction is needed.
 A semi-colon can stand alone to connect two independent clauses.
 Ex. I looked for Mary and Sam at the bus station, but they arrived at the station
before noon and left on the bus before I arrived. 
 Preposition = adds information but this example gives too much
 Note: Too many compound sentences make writing repetitive.

Complex Sentences:
 Independent clause + dependent clause
 Dependent clause starts with subordinate conjunctions
 Ex. while, because, since
 Implies other thoughts
 Only needs comma when subordinating starts
 Ex. While doing so, He did so. (has comma)
 Ex. He did so while doing so. (no comma)
Run ons:
  Two independent clauses in one sentence without punctuation or conjunction
 Ex. We bought nails we bought a hammer.

Comma Splices:
 Inappropriate joining of two independent clauses.
 Ex. I hate doing work, I hate tomatoes. (the comma stands alone with no conjunction)

Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1:
 Independent clause: Semi-colon, no conjunction
 Two short related sentences which are joined by a conjunction
 Model: Subject + Verb ; Subject + Verb
 This pattern is useful when you have two similar ideas in multiple sentences. When
we are writing, look for short sentences that we can combine for greater impact.
 Ex. “I // slept through the storm; my sister // hid under the bed. 

Practice: 
The lighthouse was abandoned; the beach was deserted and scary.
I lost my dog at the dog park; she chased after a small squirrel.
Bananas are my favorite snack; I like to eat them before a swim for a boost of energy.
I had so much homework that night; I didn’t go to bed until 2 am.

Variations on Pattern 1:
a. Adds a conjunctive adverb or a connector like however, hence, therefore, moreover,
consequently…
 The semicolon is still needed before the conjunctive adverb, but a comma
afterwards is optional.
 Model: Subject + Verb; however, Subject + Verb.
 Ex. He // worked out everyday; however, he // didn’t get any stronger.
a. The use of coordinating conjunctions (connectors/FANBOYS) to connect three or
more
a. complete sentences.
 Model: Subject + Verb; Subject + Verb, and Subject + Verb.
 Ex. The rain // kept falling; she // saw the roof begin to leak, so she // put a
bucket out to catch the rain.
b. Use two or more semicolons to connect three or more complete sentences.
 Model: Subject + Verb; Subject + Verb; Subject + Verb. 
 Ex, My brother // likes to play cricket; my sister // likes to play tennis; I // like to
do both.

Pattern 3: 
 Independent clause: colon, independent clause
 General statement or idea: specific example
 Model: Subject + Verb: Subject + Verb
 The colon shows that something important or an explanatory sentence will follow suit.
 Ex. Weekends are very similar to identical suitcases: they are all the same size, but
some can pack more into them than others.
Practice: 
Our class nailed the first summative of the year: the students all got As on their papers.
I finally know how to use TikTok: all I had to do was swipe down and double tap to like.
The reporter asked her the most important question: do you have a boyfriend?
I despise online school: It’s Zoom all the time.
I find iPads hard to use: I am not sure if I should use the pen or my fingers.