Sentences

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.

Every sentence begins with a capital letter.

Every sentence must have punctuation at the end.

Types of Sentences

Declarative – makes a statement and ends with a period. Michelle and Toni went for walk.

Interrogative – asks a question and ends with a question mark.

Where did they go?

Imperative – gives a command or makes a request and ends with a period.

Go and call them back right now.

Exclamatory – expresses strong feelings and ends with an exclamation point.

I’m so excited about this hike!

Sentence Parts

Every complete sentence has a subject and a predicate.

The subject is who the sentence is about.

The predicate is what the subject is doing.

Sentence Subject

The complete subject includes all the words that tell what or whom the sentence is about.

The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject.

My cousin Sam enjoyed her visit to New York.

Sentence Predicate

The complete predicate includes all of the words that tells what the subject does.

The simple predicate is the main word or words in the complete predicate.

My cousin Sam enjoyed her visit to new York.

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence contains two sentences joined by a conjunction

Conjunctions – and ,or, but

A comma comes before the conjunction between the two sentences.

Do you want the soup for lunch, or do you want the sandwich?

Do you want the soup for lunch, or do you want the sandwich?

I like to go to the park, and I also like to ride my bike.

I like to go to the park, and I also like to ride my bike.

I like to go to the park and ride my bike.

Clauses

A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate

Whenever I read a story.

This clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It is a dependent clause.

I like to sit in a comfortable spot when I read.

This clause can stand alone as a sentence. It is an independent clause.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one (or more) dependent clauses.

When a dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma after the dependent clause.

Whenever I read I like to find a comfortable spot.

Whenever I read, I like to find a comfortable spot.

I like to find a comfortable spot whenever I read.

Run-on Sentence

A run-on sentence is one in which two independent clauses (sentences) have been connected incorrectly.

Avoiding Run-on Sentences

Some students think they can put homework off until the last minute, they are probably wrong.

This is an example of the dreaded COMMA SPLICE!

A comma splice connects two independent clauses with only a comma. (Oh MY!!!)

There are several ways to correct a run-on.

1. Insert a period

Some students think they can put homework off until the last minute. They are probably wrong.

2. Add a comma plus a conjunction.

Some students think they can put homework off until the last minute, but they are probably wrong.