7-Karet Diamond Sentences

7-Karet Diamond Sentences #1 We'll be learning this activity to strengthen our knowledge of sentence patterns and will practice it with our writing.

The 7-Karet Diamond Sentence pattern goes like this:

simple sentence ( IC = Independent or Main Clause Ex: I ran.)

complex sentence *

compound sentence **

compound-complex sentence ***

compound sentence **

complex sentence *

simple sentence

Here are some terms and abbreviations for grammar concepts:

IC = Independent or Main Clause Ex: I ran.

DC = Dependent or Subordinate Clause Ex: BECAUSE I was late...

Simple Sentence (IC) Ex: "I ran down the hall."

* Complex Sentence type #1: IC DC Ex: "I ran BECAUSE I was late."

* Complex Sentence type #2: DC, IC Ex: "BECAUSE I was late, I ran."

** Compound Sentence: IC, coord. conj. IC

Ex: "(I was late), SO (I ran to my next class)."

*** Compound-Complex Sentence: DC, IC, coord. conj. IC

Ex: "(BECAUSE I was late), (I ran), AND (the principal called me over)."

Ex: "BECAUSE I was late, I ran, AND the principal called me over."

Remember this rule:

Clauses have both subjects and verbs.

Phrases are missing subjects, verbs, or both.

Coordinating conjunctions are: FANBOYS (For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Some subordinating conjunctions are:

Time-related ones: BEFORE, WHEN, AS, WHILE, AFTER, ONCE, SINCE, UNTIL ...

Idea-contrasting ones: IF, UNLESS, ALTHOUGH, THOUGH, BECAUSE, SINCE ...

Note that some conjunctions can be prepositions also (I was ready BEFORE lunch.), but as a subordinating conjunction, they introduce a dependent clause and connect it to the main or independent clause. (I was ready BEFORE you served lunch.)

Likewise, note that some coordinating conjunctions can link two words (He was tired BUT happy.) or two phrases (He ran into the woods AND around the pond.), not just two clauses. Coordinating conjunctions link equal units -- words with words, phrases with phrases, and clauses with clauses.