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Sentence Patterns 2

The document discusses three patterns of compound sentences: Pattern II uses an elliptical construction where the subject and verb are omitted in the second clause if it would needlessly repeat the first clause. Pattern Three uses a colon to separate two independent clauses where the first introduces an idea and the second provides a specific example or explanation of that idea. Proper use of these patterns requires parallel structure and rhythmic balance between the clauses. Elliptical constructions and colons are only appropriate if the resulting sentence sounds natural and clear.

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3K views

Sentence Patterns 2

The document discusses three patterns of compound sentences: Pattern II uses an elliptical construction where the subject and verb are omitted in the second clause if it would needlessly repeat the first clause. Pattern Three uses a colon to separate two independent clauses where the first introduces an idea and the second provides a specific example or explanation of that idea. Proper use of these patterns requires parallel structure and rhythmic balance between the clauses. Elliptical constructions and colons are only appropriate if the resulting sentence sounds natural and clear.

Uploaded by

sclarkgw
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sentence Patterns

Compound Sentence
Pattern II
Pattern Two
• Compound Sentence with Elliptical Construction
– Subject Verb DO or SC; Subject , DO or
SC.

– Example
• The mother and son each had a goal; hers, educational; his,
recreational.
• For many of us, the new math teacher was a savior; for
others, a pain.
Explanation
• Leave out the verb in the second clause
BECAUSE and ONLY IF it would
needlessly repeat the verb of the first
clause.
Problem
• Not Parallel construction
– We like classical music; George, punk rock.
Pattern Two
• The sentence must sound natural and have
a rhythmic balance.
• If it is awkward or unclear, it is not the
right time to use this pattern.
Pattern Two Checkpoints
• Be sure each sentence really has 2
independent clauses in it, even though the
second one has an unexpressed verb or
other words
• Be sure that the verb omitted in the second
clauses matches exactly, in form and tense,
the verb in the first clause
…continued…
• After the semicolon, if more than the verb
is left out, be sure the structure is still
parallel and the thought complete
• Use a semicolon if there is no conjunction;
if there is a conjunction, many writers use
a comma. A semicolon NEVER goes with
a coordinating conjunction.
Pattern Three
• Compound sentence with explanatory statement
(clauses separated by a colon)
• General statement (idea): [an independent clause]
• specific statement (example). [an independent
clause]

• Example
– A lizard never worries about growing his tail: It can
always grow another.
– All agreed she was well qualified: She graduated
from Harvard with a 4.0 grade point average.
Explanation
– This compound sentence is different in content
– The colon performs a special function: it
signals the reader that something explanatory
or important will follow, an expansion or
explanation of some idea vaguely expressed in
the first clause
– The first statement will contain a word or idea
that needs explaining; the second statement
will give some specific information or
example about that idea

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