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A complete sentence has to have a subject and a verb, and the verb has to be a "finite":
A sentence with its main verb in an -ing form will not be a complete sentence
*Marge swimming.
A sentence with its main verb in an infinitive form ("to" + verb) will not be a complete sentence.
*Homer to swim.
Complete sentences must be combined correctly if they are to continue to be complete sentences. The following methods will make two or more complete sentences into another complete sentence:
Use the coordinating conjunctions (connecting words) listed below with a comma.
| Complete Sentence , | and
but for or nor yet so |
Complete Sentence. |
Use a semicolon between two complete sentences.
| Complete Sentence | ; |
Complete Sentence. |
Use the conjunctive adverbs (connecting words) listed below with a semicolon and a comma.
|
Complete Sentence ; |
accordingly
also besides consequently furthermore however moreover nevertheless otherwise then therefore thus still |
, Complete Sentence. |
Use subordinating conjunctions (connecting words) listed below, but remember, subordinating conjunction + Complete Sentence = Dependent Clause/Incomplete Sentence
Basic Sentence Patterns
1. "Simple Sentence" straight through
|
Subject + Predicate |
2. "Simple Sentence" linked with a semi-colon and transition
|
Subject + Predicate |
; |
Subject + Predicate. |
3. "Simple Sentence" added info
|
Subject, |
Added Information |
, Predicate |
4. "Simple Sentence" with series
|
Subject + Predicate |
W, X, Y, and Z. |
5. "Simple Sentence" with intro element
|
Introductory Element |
, |
Subject + Predicate. |
6. "Compound Sentence"
|
Subject + Predicate, |
and
but for or nor yet so |
Subject + Predicate. |
6. "Complex Sentence" with a leading dependent clause
se the subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the first clause and use a comma:
| After
AlthoughEven thoughThoughAs As ifAs thoughAs long asBecauseBeforeIf In order thatSo thatSinceSo (meaning so that)UnlessUntilWhateverWhenWheneverWhereWhereverWhether While |
Sentence , (without the subordinating conjunction this sentence would be a Complete Sentence; with the subordinating conjunction it is now a Dependent Clause) |
Complete Sentence. |
6. "Complex Sentence" with a following dependent clause
se the subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the second clause without a comma:
|
Complete Sentence |
After
AlthoughEven thoughThoughAs As ifAs thoughAs long asBecauseBeforeIf In order thatSo thatSinceSo (meaning so that)UnlessUntilWhateverWhenWheneverWhereWhereverWhether While |
Sentence (without the subordinating conjunction this sentence would be a Complete Sentence; with the subordinating conjunction it is now a Dependent Clause) |
Questions, comments, and other sundry things may be sent to CSUwriting@csuohio.edu