Sentence Writing Strategy Cue Cards

SIMPLE SENTENCE (C.C. #1)

A sentence that has one independent clause

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

A group of words that:

(1) makes a complete statement

(2) has a subject and a predicate

THE SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE (C.C. #2)

The subject is the

person, place, thing, quality or idea (nouns)

that the sentence is about.

Examples:

John went for a walk. (Person)

Towns are quiet after snowfalls. (Places)

Eggs rolled off the counter. (Things)

Silence is golden (Quality)

Peace is at hand. (Idea)

THE PREDICATE OF A SENTENCE: (C.C.#3)

The predicate shows the

state of bing or action (verbs)

of the subject of the sentence.

Examples:

Sally sneezed. (Physical Action)

John thinks. (Mental Action)

Jesse is my friend. (State of being)

SUBJECT - VERB INDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE (C.C. #4)

Step 1: Look for the action or state of being word to find the verb.

Example: Keven reported the theft.

Step 2: Ask yourself"Who or what __________(verb) ?" to find the subject.

Example: Paula is an astronaut.

HELPING VERBS (C.C. #5)

am

are

can

could

do

does

did

has

have

had

is

may

might

must

shall

should

was

were

will

would

be

been

being

STEPS FOR SENTENCE WRITING (C.C.#6)

Step 1: Pick a Formula

Step 2: Explore Words to Fit the Formula

Step 3: Note the Words

Step 4: Search for the Verb(s) and Subject(s)

-Look for the action or state-of-being word(s) to find the verb(s).

-As the "Who or What Question" to find the subject(s).

COMPOUND SENTENCE (C.C.#7)

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses.

Examples:

The students finished class, and they went to lunch.

Kevin did not want to hurt Kathy's feelings, so he said nothing about her mistake.

I want to see my sister soon, for she has been in Switzerland for two years.

COMPARING COMPOUND SENTENCES TO SIMPLE SENTENCES WITH COMPOUND SUBJECTS AND COMPOUND VERBS (C.C.#8)

Simple Sentence:

The men and women met at the station and went to dinner.

Compound Sentence:

The men met at the station, and the women went to dinner.

Simple Sentence:

The ducks and geese squawked and fluttered their wings.

Compound Sentence:

The ducks squawked, and the geese fluttered their wings.

Simple Sentence:

Harry and Joe ate ice cream and drank pop.

Compound Sentence:

Harry ate ice cream, and Joe drank pop.

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (C.C.#9)

A word that is used with a comma to join two indepent clauses.

, but

, for

,nor

, and

, or

, so

, yet

Examples:

Baseball is my favorite sport to watch, but football is my favorite sport to play.

The children ran all the way to school, yet they were late anyway.

You will have to finish the project, or your group will get a failing grade.

Hanni was not at the game, nor was she at the party.

We did not see Mike at the movie, nor did we see him at the restaurant.

SEMICOLONS (C.C.#10)

Semicolons (;) an also be used to join the two independent clauses of a compound sentence.

Examples:

Susan loves to swim; her borther likes to dive.

Jason was highly respected; he was always such a responsible person.

The meeting was over; it was already midnight.

COMPLEX SENTENCE (C.C.#11)

A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone.

Examples:

I like Sally because she is funny.

Kathy will be late for dinner since the meeting is still in progress.

The game will end when one team scores.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (C.C.#12)

Subordinating conjunctions are words that show the relationship of the dependent clause to the independent clause.

Some words that can be used as subordinating conjunctions are:

after

even if

since

although

even though

so that

as

if

than

as if

in order that

though

as long as

just as

unless

as soon as

like

until

as though

once

when

because

provided

whenever

before

rather than

while

SEQUENCING COMPLEX SENTENCES (C.C.#13)

Dependent Clause First (comma needed)

When I get to Phoenix, you will be sleeping.

After the players practiced, they went our for a pizza.

Until the storm is over, we will not know about the damage.

Independent Clause First (comma not needed)

You will be sleeping when I get to Phoenix.

The players went out for a pizza after they practiced.

We will not know about hte damage until the storm is over.

COMPOUND COMPLEX SENTENCE (C.C.#14)

A compound - complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Examples:

When you are ready, I will call the store, and we can talk to Reed.

Before the trick-or-treaters came, Jill made candied apples; they were delicious.

SEQUENCING COMPOUND - COMPLEX SENTENCES (C.C.#15)

Dependent Clause First:

After the party was over, Jean had a headache, so Paul cleaned up the house.

Whenever Jennifer feels sad, she calls Chris; he cheers her up.

Dependent Clause Second:

Jean had a headache after the party was over, so Paul cleaned up the house.

Chad hates to sleep while his parents are awake, for he might miss something.

Jennifer calls Chris whenever she feels sad; he cheers her up.

The sky was gray when the volcano erupted; ash was falling everywhere.

Dependent Clause Third:

Jean had a headache, so Paul cleaned up the house after the party was over.

The employer made Jill and good offer, and she accepted as long as he gave her a travel allowance.

The doctors were busy with the serious cases; the slightly wounded soldier quietly waited while they worked.

Todd gave an excellent report; his instructor thanked him after the rest of the class had left the room.

 Return to Home Page