English 103 – Vennette

Grammar: Sentence Structure

Common Sentence Structures

:
 Basic Sentence Patterns

Subject + verb

The simplest of sentence patterns is composed of a subject and verb without a direct
object or subject complement. It uses an intransitive verb, that is, a verb requiring no
direct object:

Control rods remain inside the fuel assembly of the reactor.

The development of wind power practically ceased until the early 1970s.

The cross-member exposed to abnormal stress eventually broke.

Only two types of charge exist in nature.

Subject + verb + direct object

Another common sentence pattern uses the direct object:

Silicon conducts electricity in an unusual way.

The anti-reflective coating on the the silicon cell reduces reflection from 32 to
22 percent.

Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

The sentence pattern with the indirect object and direct object is similar to the
preceding pattern:

I am writing her about a number of problems that I have had with my computer.

Austin, Texas, has recently built its citizens a system of bike lanes.

PRACTICE
:
 Identify the basic sentence pattern of the sentences below. What are the
different parts of each sentence?

1. All amplitude-modulation (AM) receivers work in the same way.

2. The supervisor mailed the applicant a description of the job.

3. We have mailed the balance of the payment in this letter.

Show Answer

1. This is a subject + verb sentence:

All amplitude-modulation (AM) receivers work in the same

way.

2. This is a subject + verb + indirect object + direct object sentence:

The supervisor mailed the applicant a description of the job.

3. This is a subject + verb + direct object sentence:

We have mailed the balance of the payment in this letter.

Sentence Types

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence is one that contains a subject and a verb and no other
independent or dependent clause.

One of the tubes is attached to the manometer part of the instrument indicating
the pressure of the air within the cuff.
:
 There are basically two types of stethoscopes.

In this sentence, the subject and verb are inverted; that is, the verb comes
before the subject. However, it is still classified as a simple sentence.

To measure blood pressure, a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope are

needed.

This sentence has a compound subject—that is, there are two subjects—
but it is still classified as a simple sentence.

Command sentences are a subtype of simple sentences. These sentences are

unique because they don’t actually have a subject:

Clean the dishes.

Make sure to take good notes today.

After completing the reading, answer the following questions.

In each of these sentences, there is an implied subject: you. These sentences are
instructing the reader to complete a task. Command sentences are the only
sentences in English that are complete without a subject.

Compound Predicates

A predicate is everything in the verb part of the sentence after the subject (unless the
sentence uses inverted word order). A compound predicate is two or more
predicates joined by a coordinating conjunction. Traditionally, the conjunction in a
sentence consisting of just two compound predicates is not punctuated.

Another library media specialist has been using Accelerated Reader for ten
years and has seen great results.

This cell phone app lets users share pictures instantly with followers and
categorize photos with hashtags.
:
 Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a

coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, yet, for) and a comma, an adverbial
conjunction and a semicolon, or just a semicolon.

In sphygmomanometers, too narrow a cuff can result in erroneously high

readings, and too wide a cuff can result in erroneously low readings.

Some cuff hook together; others wrap or snap into place.

Command sentences can be compound sentences as well:

Never give up; never surrender.

Turn the handle 90 degrees and push the button four times.

When you have a compound command sentence with a coordinating conjunction,

you do not need to include a comma, because the two have the same subject.

PRACTICE

Identify the type of each sentence below. Why is each type of sentence
useful in each instance?

1. The sphygmomanometer is usually covered with cloth and has two

rubber tubes attached to it.

2. There are several types of sentences; using different types can keep
your writing lively.

3. Words, sentences, and paragraphs are all combined to create a

book.

4. Before giving up, take a deep breath and look at things from a
different perspective.
:
 Show Answer

Punctuation Patterns

While your sentence’s punctuation will always depend on the content of your writing,
there are a few common punctuation patterns you should be aware of.

Simple sentences have these punctuation patterns:

________________________________.

________, ________________________.

Compound predicate sentences have this punctuation pattern:

________ ________ and ________.

Compound Sentences have these punctuation patterns:

________________, and ________________.

________________; ________________.

As you can see from these common patterns, periods, commas, and semicolons are
the punctuation marks you will use the most in your writing. As you write, it’s best to
use a variety of these patterns. If you use the same pattern repeatedly, your writing
can easily become boring and drab.

PRACTICE
:
 The sentences in this passage follow a single punctuation
pattern: ________________________________. Revise the passage to
create variety.

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote six Cello Suites. The Cello Suites are
suites for unaccompanied cello. They are some of the most frequently
performed and recognizable solo compositions ever written for cello.
Each movement is based around a baroque dance type. This
basis is standard for a Baroque musical suite. The cello suites are
structured in six movements each. Each includes a prelude; an
allemande; a courante; a sarabande; two minuets, two bourrées, or two
gavottes; and a final gigue. The Bach cello suites are considered to be
among the most profound of all classical music works.

Show Answer

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