Punctuating a sentence correctly may sometimes seem difficult and discretionary. But with informed choices, you can get rid of assumptions in proper punctuation of sentence.
Here are the eight punctuation patterns.
Pattern 1: Simple Sentence
Use a period to punctuate one independent clause that is consist of a subject and a verb.
| Simple sentence/Independent clause = Subject + verb [ . ] |
Example:
| Educators are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts. |
Pattern 2: Compound Sentence
Use a comma after the first independent clause that is before a coordinating conjunction ( and, but, for, or, nor, yet, so ) and then followed by another independent clause.
| Independent clause [ , ] + coordinating conjunction + independent clause [ . ] |
Example:
| Educators are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts, yet they have not implemented new measures to resolve it. |
Pattern 3: Compound Sentence
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are not joined by coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet.
| Independent clause [ ; ] + independent clause [ . ] |
Example:
| Educators are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts; they have not implemented new measures to resolve it. |
Pattern 4: Compound Sentence
Use semicolon and independent marker/conjunctive adverb with the compound sentence. Examples of independent markers: therefore, finally, consequently, moreover, thus, likewise, consequently, however, also.
| Independent clause; + independent marker/conjunctive adverb, + independent clause |
Example:
| Educators are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts; however, they have not implemented new measures to resolve it. |
Pattern 5: Complex Sentence
Start the complex sentence with a dependent marker. Examples of dependent markers: because, before, since, while, even though, although, if, unless, until, when, after, as, as if
| Dependent marker + dependent clause [ , ] + independent clause[ . ] |
Example:
| Since educators are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts, they have convened a committee to address the issue. |
Pattern 6: Complex Sentence
The complex sentence end with a fragment clause.
| Independent clause dependent marker + dependent clause [ . ] |
Example:
| Educators are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts because it has never been a major issue. |
Pattern 7:
This uses an additional, non-essential clause or phrase after the independent clause. Removing the non-essential clause should not alter the context of the sentence.
These embedded phrases are used to enhance the clause but are not required to make the clause to stand alone.
| First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ] |
Example:
| Educators, from public and private sectors, are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts. |
Pattern 8:
This uses an additional, essential clause or phrase after the first independent clause. Removing the non-essential clause can alter the context of the sentence.
| First part of an independent clause essential clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [ . ] |
Example:
| Educators who are alarmed about the increasing number of school dropouts have convened a committee to address the issue. |