Sentence Structure Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.3-4.1.A

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

There are four basic forms of structure that a sentence can exhibit. The simple form contains a single independent clause and expresses a complete thought. A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses that joined together. Complex sentences have an independent clause and a subordinate clause (subject, verb; does not express complete thought). The fourth form is called Compound-Complex and as the name indicates it if a mix of the previous two. These worksheets will have students diagnose and classify the structure of a wide array of sentences. This will help them improve their writing.

Sentence Structure Worksheets To Print:

Revisions: Independent Clauses - This is a cleanup job for you. Each of the sentences contains two independent clauses. Some are joined correctly, but others are not. Rewrite everything that is incorrect and join the independent clauses correctly. Place a check mark next to the those that are correct.

Complete Thoughts - Are you looking at a complete sentences or just a fragment. You will identify which of the two is being presented to you.

Subject, Objects and Predicates - Where the heck is that object in there? You will be asked to circle the subject, underline the predicate, and double-underline the object.

Compound Sentences - The conjunction is usually what I look for first. This is very similar to the last worksheet, but the example is very helpful to start off with.

Types of Sentences - We look at and write all of them (Imperative, Declarative, Exclamatory, Interrogative). The structure for each type can differ in verb tense, word order and in punctuation.

Diagramming : Subject and Predicate - For each sentence below, write the subject and the predicate on the line provided. Draw a line between them.

Diagramming Complex Forms - When you diagram a complex sentence, you connect them with a dotted line.

Diagramming Practice - This is a basic flow chart for you. We diagram the use of subject/predicate, interrogative sentences, modifiers, direct objects, indirect objects, and prepositional phrases.

Those Crazy Pieces - Diagram each sentence and put it in pieces. You base this style and format based on what you learned on the previous worksheet.

What Type Is It? - Identify the sentence type. Write it on the line. We look at four different classifications of them.

Structure Signals Relationships Among Ideas - Create a complex sentence that will signal to the reader that the sentence that is given is the most important.

Structuring to Show Relationship - Create a complex sentence that will signal to the reader that the sentence in parentheses is the most important.

Creating Compound Form - Each of the sentences below contain two independent clauses. Some are joined correctly, but others are not.

Building Different Kinds - Write 5 original sentences as indicated below. You work on the four forms (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex).

Identifying Structure - Identify whether it is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. Underline the most important idea in each sentence.

How to Vary Your Sentence Structure?

Writing a text in variable and different sentence structures is essential to make any text sound natural and spontaneous. A text written having all the statements in it while following a single similar pattern is likely to sound artificial and may bore the readers. Readers are easily distracted while reading if all the sentences are written following the same structure and have unnecessary monotony among them. Moreover, being able to write different sentences with different structures is also counted as a skill for good and structured writing. Students are sometimes put in a situation where they have to remove plagiarism from a text and that is where they have to vary the sentence structures from the original text. Here are some of the easiest ways to vary your sentence structures:


Use Both Active and Passive Voices

Sometimes, a text is required to be written in just one voice and that is where the text becomes monotonous. However, if there is no such restriction for you while writing, try to use both the active and passive voice sentences in your text. This makes your text sound more interesting and can give an idea to your readers about where they have to focus more and where they can relax while reading.


Understand All the Forms of Sentences

In-depth knowledge about the basic forms of sentences is very essential for your ability to write sentences with varied structures. You may use numerous simple sentences to convey an idea or information that is too complicated to understand. In the case of putting down two interrelated ideas, you can use either of the compound or compound-complex sentence structure. The compound structure can also be used to convey an easily understandable idea in detail.


Pay Attention While You Read

Paying attention to the sentence structures used in various texts you read can also help you gain a better understanding of how you can vary your structure to best suit your audience. This may seem like an unconventional way to become a better writer, but it is often an amazingly effective method. As you are reading the work of others, we suggest you skip sections that feel very pedestrian meaning they will not help give you unique ideas or approaches to use with your own work. To keep track of what you feel may work, keep a journal of all those tips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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