NAME: ______Period: ______
Vocabulary unit assignment: Use words 1-20 of the words in UNIT #7to create a group of sentences. Follow the directions below. See samples on the back of this page. UNDERLINE vocab words.
**Look on the back of this paper for HELP!!!**
1. Write one sentence that is a compound sentence:
2. Write one sentence that is a complex sentence:
3. Write one sentence that is a complex-compound sentence:
For the following, use NO linking verbs:
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The classifications are based on the number of independent and dependant clauses a sentence contains. An independent clause forms a complete sentence on its own, while a dependent clause needs another clause to make a complete sentence. By practicing these types, writers can add complexity and variation to their sentences.
A compound sentence:
The unicorn only ate the highest quality oats, and he only drank the finest artesian water.
(Each of these clauses has a subject and verb, and is joined by a conjunction.)
Compound sentence: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. The conjunctions are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.) Except for very short sentences, conjunctions are preceded by a comma.
A complex sentence:
Because I can’t breathe underwater, I couldn’t attend the mermaid’s wedding.
(That first clause up to the comma is dependent and includes a subject and verb. It depends on the complete thought that follows to make sense.)
Complex sentence: A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which.
A complex-compound sentence:
Even though Gollum despised Sam, he was concerned for his health, so he threw out the disgusting lembas bread.
(This begins with a dependent clause which includes a subject and verb, then is followed by two independent clauses – both with subjects and verbs – separated by a comma and conjunction.)
Complex-Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Linking verbs to avoid:
to be (is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, had been, is being, are being, was being, will have been, etc.)
to become (become, becomes, became, has become, have become, had become, will become, will have become, etc.)
to seem (seemed, seeming, seems, has seemed, have seemed, had seemed, is seeming, are seeming, was seeming, were seeming, will seem)
Some verbs can be linking verbs in SOME sentences, but are action verbs in other sentences. One way to determine if the verb is functioning as an action verb or a linking verb is to substitute the word “is” for the verb in question. If the sentence still makes sense, then it is probably a linking verb. If the sentence would not make sense with the word “is,” then it is probably an action verb in the sentence.
The following are examples of verbs that can be linking verbs in some sentences and action verbs in other sentences:
looksmellappear
provesoundfeel
remaintastegrow