Sentence Patterns

Background information

IC = Independent Clause = subject + verb + direct object = complete idea
example : CSL has 3200 students.

DC = Dependent Clause = subject +verb + usually contains an SC = incomplet idea

M = Modifier
example : CSL has 3200 (talented) students.

PP = Prepositional Phrase (no verb)
example : CSL has 3200 talented students (in many programs).

DO = Direct Object

IO= Indirect Object

SC = Subordinating Conjuction
example : because, while, after, until, etc.

CC = Coordination Conjuction
ex: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, etc.

CA = Coordinating Adverbs
ex : hence, therefore, thus, moreover, nevertheless, likewise, consequently, accordingly, furthermore, etc.

RP = Relative Pronoun
example : CSL has 3200 talented students in many programs, (which are very interesting).
sub verb M DO ---- PP -------------------- ---RP---- -------- DC ---------------------



Sentece Pattern number 1 : IC ; IC.
, comma
: colon
; semi-colon
Ex : Hard work is only one side of the equation ; talent is the other.
Ex2: Some people dream of being something ; others stay awake and are.
Ex3 : Some people get away with their crimes ; others don't.
Ex4 : Half the class would tell the boy to listen to the princess ; the other half would not.
Ex5 : Some people think they are sane ; others would disagree.
Ex6: Ceasar, try on this toga ; it seems be your size.


Sentence Pattern 1a : IC ; CA , IC.
Ex: The narrator in the story, '' The Tell-Tale Heart'', claimed he was sane ; however, he was really nuts.
Ex2: The narrator thought the old man's eye was evil ; nevertheless, it was all in his head.
Ex3: The king in the story, '' The Lady or the Tiger? '' , was known to be cruel and barbaric ; nevertheless, he let the criminals choose their own fate.
Ex4: Frank Stockton had one leg shorter than the other ; therefore, he took up writing to compensate.

Sentence Pattern 1b : IC ; IC, CC IC.
Ex: Poe was a great writer ; he influenced many others, and he was immensely admired.
Ex2 : The princess was semi-barbaric ; she was manipulative and cunning, but she could not have her way.

Sentence pattern 2 : IC : IC ---> general statement to specific statement
Ex : Darwin's origin of species states a harsh truth : only the fittest survive.
Ex2: The empty coffin in the crypt had a single horrifying meaning : Dracula had awoken to search for fresh blood.
Ex3 : Peyton's fate was decided : he was about to be hanged.
Ex4: The story was quite ironic : Ambierce, a northern soldier, took a southern view.

Sentece pattern 3: A, B, C for emphasis or A,B and C or A and B and C ---> using a series wihtout a conjuction
Ex: With passion, determination, purpose, Lincoln fought slavery.
Ex2: Being a family man, being rich, being happy, he still gave up his life.
Ex3: Peyton closed his eyes, though of his wife, felt pain.

Sentence pattern 4: An introductory series of appositives, using a dash ( - ) and a summarizing subject (these, those, which, what, each, such, someone, all, etc.)
Ex: '' The Tell-Tale Heart, '' '' The Nightingale and the Rose, '' '' Hills like White Elephants'' - each of these has some form of internal or psychological conflict.



Using quotes...

...with a complete idea (:)
Ex: Hemingway uses action to emphasize a character trait : '' The girl looked at the bead curtain ... ''

...with an incomplete idea (,)
Ex: In Hemingway's story, the girl said, '' They look like white elephants. ''

...with an incomplete quotation within a sentence
Ex: Hemingway's story takes place at a railway station '' between two lines of rails in the sun. ''

...within a quote
Ex: Hemingway wrote, '' 'They're lovely hills,' she said. 'They don't really look like white elephants.' ''