Sentence Blueprint Reference Sheet
IC
Independent Clause
Stand-Alone Sentence
Complete Thought
Contains both a subject (who/what) and a predicate (action). It expresses a complete idea and stands alone as a sentence.
✓ Subject: Who or what the clause is about
✓ Predicate: The action or state of being
Example: Can stand alone
"Our soccer team won the tournament."
DC
Dependent Clause
Leaves You Hanging!
Incomplete Thought
Has a subject and action, but begins with a clue word (subordinating conjunction). It cannot stand alone without an independent clause.
Common Clue Words:
because although when if since while after
Example: Incomplete
"Because the cafeteria ran out of pizza..."
1
Simple Sentence
— Just one complete thought
Formula: [ 1 Independent Clause ]
Expresses a single idea with one independent clause. It may include compound subjects (two people) or compound predicates (two actions), but it always remains one single clause.
Basic Simple Sentence:
[Leo landed a kickflip at the skatepark].
Compound Subject & Verb:
[Marcus and Ava laughed and played games].
Clue: Only 1 complete thought No conjunctions joining separate sentences
2
Compound Sentence
— Two complete thoughts joined
Formula: [ IC ] + [ IC ]
Joins two independent clauses that share a related idea. Both sides could stand alone. Connect them with a comma + conjunction (FANBOYS) or a semicolon (;).
Joined with Comma + Conjunction:
[The buzzer sounded], and [the crowd cheered].
Joined with a Semicolon:
[The dog barked]; [the mail carrier stepped back].
Clue: Cover the joiner — both sides are complete sentences! FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
3
Complex Sentence
— Complete + incomplete thoughts
Formula: [ 1 IC ] + [ 1+ DC ]
Contains one independent clause plus at least one dependent clause. If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma; if it comes last, usually no comma is needed.
Dependent First (Comma Required):
[When the bell rang], [we packed our bags].
Independent First (Usually No Comma):
[We packed our bags] [when the bell rang].
Clue: Look for clue words (because, although, if, when, since) One clause cannot stand alone
4
Compound-Complex Sentence
— 2+ complete + 1+ incomplete
Formula: [ 2+ IC ] + [ 1+ DC ]
The ultimate combo sentence! It connects two or more independent clauses AND at least one dependent clause together in one rich sentence.
Example Pattern 1:
[Although it rained], [we ate outside], and [we had fun].
Example Pattern 2:
[Maya studied hard], so [she passed the test] [that was tough].
Clue: Look for BOTH a compound joiner (, and / ;) AND a clue word! 2+ Complete + 1+ Incomplete
?
How to tell them apart: Count how many complete thoughts (independent clauses) you see, then check if there are any incomplete thoughts (dependent clauses) attached!
Quick Tip
