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:

Another common sentence pattern uses the direct object:

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

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

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

Command sentences are a聽subtype of simple sentences. These sentences are unique because they don’t actually have a subject:

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

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.

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.

Command sentences can be compound sentences as well:

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.

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

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聽sentences have these聽punctuation patterns:

Compound predicate sentences have this punctuation pattern: ________聽________聽and ________.

Compound Sentences have these punctuation patterns:

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聽repeatedly, your writing can easily become boring and drab.

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

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote six Cello Suites.聽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聽is聽standard聽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 bourr茅es, or two gavottes; and a final gigue. The Bach cello suites are considered to be among the most profound of all classical music works.

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