Understanding Sentences

UNDERSTANDING SENTENCES

Now… Just What is a Sentence?

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

In other words...

■a

sentence must tell who or what ■a sentence must tell what happens

With out either part

■you

simply don’t have a sentence

Remember...

■Every

sentence must tell whom or what the sentence is about. ■It must also tell what happens

Subjects and Predicates

■2

The are...

main parts to a sentence

2

The subject of a sentence:

tells whom or what the sentence is about

The predicate of the sentence: tells what the subject does or is

REMEMBER 1. Every sentence can be divided into 2 parts.

2. All the words in the sentence are part of either the subject or the predicate.

Sentence Fragments and Run-on Sentences

A sentence fragment is: a group of words that does not express a complete thought.

Confused ????? ■Remember in a sentence

fragment, something is missing. ■The intended sentence doesn’t make sense.

Typical Fragments either...

don’t have a subject........or they don’t have a predicate.

A run-on sentence is: two or more sentences written as one sentence

Usually, these sentences... are written in a rush, or without thought, or punctuation was forgotten.

Correct a Run-On 1. By placing the proper endmark. 2. Capitalizing the next letter.

Psssst........... you’re teacher hates run-on sentences