Focus on Writing: Chapter 14

Writing Simple Sentences

Sentences• A sentence is a group of words that

expresses complete thought.• Every sentence minimally includes: Subject Verb Complete thought

Simple Sentences• A simple sentence includes: One subject One verb

• Which is the same as one independent clause

John is enrolled.

Susan studied hard.

Subject Tells who or what is being talked about in the sentence

Must be a noun or pronoun Singular – one person, place or thing Plural - more than one person, place, or thing Compound subject – a plural subject that joins the two

subjects with “and” Prepositional Phrases

Consists of a preposition and its object Because the object is always a noun or a pronoun, it may

seem as though it is the subject, but don’t be fooled. The object of a preposition can never be the subject

Verb• The verb tells what the subject does, or

connects the subject to words that describe or rename it

• Action Verbs - tells what the subject does, did or will do, can also show mental or emotional actions.

• Linking verbs - shows no action. Connects subject with something that renames or describes it.

• Helping verbs – a verb used with another verb. There is the main verb and the helping verb. Usually the helping verb changes the tense of the verb