Vary Sentence Patterns for Effect - 6th Grade Writing
Card 1 of 25
Identify the sentence pattern: "Although it was late, we went home, and we slept."
Identify the sentence pattern: "Although it was late, we went home, and we slept."
Tap to reveal answer
Compound-complex. Has dependent clause "Although" + two independent clauses.
Compound-complex. Has dependent clause "Although" + two independent clauses.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best revision to vary the start: "I opened the door. I saw the storm."
Identify the best revision to vary the start: "I opened the door. I saw the storm."
Tap to reveal answer
Opening the door, I saw the storm. Participial phrase creates variety and flow.
Opening the door, I saw the storm. Participial phrase creates variety and flow.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find and correct the fragment: "Because the bus was late."
Find and correct the fragment: "Because the bus was late."
Tap to reveal answer
Because the bus was late, I arrived after the bell. Adds independent clause to complete the thought.
Because the bus was late, I arrived after the bell. Adds independent clause to complete the thought.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find and correct the run-on: "The bell rang we hurried to class."
Find and correct the run-on: "The bell rang we hurried to class."
Tap to reveal answer
The bell rang, and we hurried to class. Comma + conjunction fixes the missing connection.
The bell rang, and we hurried to class. Comma + conjunction fixes the missing connection.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is parallel structure in a series?
What is parallel structure in a series?
Tap to reveal answer
Using the same grammatical form for items in a list. All items should match in verb form or structure.
Using the same grammatical form for items in a list. All items should match in verb form or structure.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which punctuation should follow an introductory word or phrase such as "However" or "In the morning"?
Which punctuation should follow an introductory word or phrase such as "However" or "In the morning"?
Tap to reveal answer
A comma. Signals a pause after the introductory element.
A comma. Signals a pause after the introductory element.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an introductory prepositional phrase, and where is it placed in a sentence?
What is an introductory prepositional phrase, and where is it placed in a sentence?
Tap to reveal answer
A prepositional phrase at the beginning, before the main clause. Sets context before presenting the main idea.
A prepositional phrase at the beginning, before the main clause. Sets context before presenting the main idea.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What are the four main sentence purposes (types by function)?
What are the four main sentence purposes (types by function)?
Tap to reveal answer
Declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory. Each type serves a different communication purpose.
Declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory. Each type serves a different communication purpose.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a run-on sentence?
What is a run-on sentence?
Tap to reveal answer
Two or more sentences joined incorrectly without proper punctuation. Needs punctuation or conjunction to separate complete thoughts.
Two or more sentences joined incorrectly without proper punctuation. Needs punctuation or conjunction to separate complete thoughts.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a sentence fragment?
What is a sentence fragment?
Tap to reveal answer
An incomplete sentence missing a subject, verb, or complete thought. Lacks essential elements needed for a complete sentence.
An incomplete sentence missing a subject, verb, or complete thought. Lacks essential elements needed for a complete sentence.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a dependent clause?
What is a dependent clause?
Tap to reveal answer
A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Needs an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Needs an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a compound-complex sentence pattern?
What is a compound-complex sentence pattern?
Tap to reveal answer
At least 2 independent clauses and at least 1 dependent clause. Combines features of both compound and complex sentences.
At least 2 independent clauses and at least 1 dependent clause. Combines features of both compound and complex sentences.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the difference between a compound sentence and a complex sentence?
What is the difference between a compound sentence and a complex sentence?
Tap to reveal answer
Compound: 2+ independent clauses; complex: independent + dependent. Complex adds a dependent clause that can't stand alone.
Compound: 2+ independent clauses; complex: independent + dependent. Complex adds a dependent clause that can't stand alone.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the difference between a simple sentence and a compound sentence?
What is the difference between a simple sentence and a compound sentence?
Tap to reveal answer
Simple: 1 independent clause; compound: 2+ independent clauses. Simple has one complete thought; compound joins multiple complete thoughts.
Simple: 1 independent clause; compound: 2+ independent clauses. Simple has one complete thought; compound joins multiple complete thoughts.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option correctly forms a compound sentence from two complete thoughts?
Which option correctly forms a compound sentence from two complete thoughts?
Tap to reveal answer
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). FANBOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). FANBOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the best way to combine: "The test was hard. I studied carefully." (cause and effect)
Choose the best way to combine: "The test was hard. I studied carefully." (cause and effect)
Tap to reveal answer
Because the test was hard, I studied carefully. Subordinating conjunction shows cause-effect relationship.
Because the test was hard, I studied carefully. Subordinating conjunction shows cause-effect relationship.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the sentence pattern: "After the movie ended, we talked outside."
Identify the sentence pattern: "After the movie ended, we talked outside."
Tap to reveal answer
Complex sentence. Has dependent clause "After the movie ended" + independent.
Complex sentence. Has dependent clause "After the movie ended" + independent.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the sentence pattern: "We packed snacks, and we filled our water bottles."
Identify the sentence pattern: "We packed snacks, and we filled our water bottles."
Tap to reveal answer
Compound sentence. Two independent clauses joined by comma + "and".
Compound sentence. Two independent clauses joined by comma + "and".
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find and correct the nonparallel list: "She likes hiking, to swim, and biking."
Find and correct the nonparallel list: "She likes hiking, to swim, and biking."
Tap to reveal answer
She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. All activities use -ing form for consistency.
She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. All activities use -ing form for consistency.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which revision uses a semicolon correctly to vary sentence structure?
Which revision uses a semicolon correctly to vary sentence structure?
Tap to reveal answer
Use a semicolon between two related independent clauses. Joins related complete thoughts without a conjunction.
Use a semicolon between two related independent clauses. Joins related complete thoughts without a conjunction.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which revision best varies the pattern by combining the ideas into one complex sentence: "I was tired. I finished my homework."
Which revision best varies the pattern by combining the ideas into one complex sentence: "I was tired. I finished my homework."
Tap to reveal answer
Although I was tired, I finished my homework. Complex pattern shows contrast between tiredness and completion.
Although I was tired, I finished my homework. Complex pattern shows contrast between tiredness and completion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find and correct the comma error: "When the bell rang we left."
Find and correct the comma error: "When the bell rang we left."
Tap to reveal answer
Correct: "When the bell rang, we left.". Introductory dependent clauses require a comma before the main clause.
Correct: "When the bell rang, we left.". Introductory dependent clauses require a comma before the main clause.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the sentence pattern: "We went home, and we went straight to bed."
Identify the sentence pattern: "We went home, and we went straight to bed."
Tap to reveal answer
Compound. Two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction 'and'.
Compound. Two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction 'and'.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the sentence pattern: "Because it was late, we went home."
Identify the sentence pattern: "Because it was late, we went home."
Tap to reveal answer
Complex. "Because it was late" is dependent; "we went home" is independent.
Complex. "Because it was late" is dependent; "we went home" is independent.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What punctuation is required after an introductory dependent clause in a complex sentence?
What punctuation is required after an introductory dependent clause in a complex sentence?
Tap to reveal answer
A comma after the introductory dependent clause. Standard punctuation rule for clarity and proper pause.
A comma after the introductory dependent clause. Standard punctuation rule for clarity and proper pause.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →