Sentence Building
Complete sentences connect a subject and verb to one clear idea.
Learning goals
- Recognize a complete sentence and correct a fragment.
- Build simple sentences with useful details.
- Connect ideas with coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
1. Three sentence patterns
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | One complete idea | Maria studies English every evening. |
| Compound | Complete idea + and/but/so + complete idea | Maria works all day, but she studies every evening. |
| Complex | Dependent idea + complete idea | Because Maria wants a promotion, she studies English. |
A complete sentence needs a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Details can explain when, where, how, or why.
Activity A — Sentence or fragment?
Write S for sentence or F for fragment.
- _____ After the appointment.
- _____ My daughter starts school in September.
- _____ Because the bus was late.
- _____ We called the office and changed the appointment.
- _____ The new employee near the door.
Activity B — Add useful details
Expand each sentence by answering the questions in parentheses.
- I study. (What? When? Where?)
- They work. (Where? What time? How?)
- She called. (Whom? Why? When?)
Activity C — Connect the ideas
Use and · but · so · because · when.
- I was tired, __________ I finished my homework.
- We left early __________ the weather was dangerous.
- Call me __________ you arrive.
- Rosa completed the course, __________ she received a certificate.
- He reads English __________ listens to English every day.
Activity D — Repair the fragment
Add the missing information to make each item a complete sentence.
- Because I have an interview tomorrow…
- The woman at the front desk…
- After we finished work…
Speaking and writing practice
Tell a partner about a busy day. Use at least one simple sentence, one compound sentence, and one complex sentence. Then write your best three sentences below.
Quick check
Combine these ideas in two different ways: I practice English. I want to communicate at work.
Compound sentence:
Complex sentence:
Teacher index — online only (not included when printing)
Lesson guidance and answer key
Warm-up: Put three word groups on the board. Learners identify which one communicates a complete idea.
Activity A: F, S, F, S, F.
Activity C suggested: but; because; when; so; and.
Activities B and D: Accept grammatically complete, logical answers.
Quick check suggested: I practice English, so I can communicate at work. / I practice English because I want to communicate at work.
Differentiation: Provide sentence frames for beginning learners. Ask advanced learners to vary conjunctions and punctuation.