Sentence Patterns 2

Sentence Patterns Compound Sentence Pattern II

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

,

DO or

– 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