Sentence Structure

Notes on types of sentences, complete sentences, and

capitalization / punctuation

What is a complete sentence? A sentence is a group of words that

expresses a complete thought. – Example: The alarm at the bank sounded late

last night. A complete sentence must also begin with a

capital letter, and end with appropriate punctuation.

A complete sentence has both a subject and a predicate.

Types of sentences Declarative

– Makes a statement– Ends with a period (.) – Ex.) A beautiful house overlooks the river.

Imperative – Gives a command– Usually ends with a period, but could end with an

exclamation point. (.) (!) – Ex.) Do ten more push-ups. – Ex.) Hurry up!

Types of sentences cont. Interrogative

– Asks a question– Ends with a question mark (?) – Ex.) When is our test?

Exclamatory – Expresses strong emotion – Ends with an exclamation point (!) – Ex.) I passed the English test!

Complete Sentences A complete sentence has both a subject

and a predicate Subjects can be directly or indirectly

stated. – Subject = who or what the sentence is

about– Predicate = the verb / tells what the subject

does or is

Complete Sentences Subjects and Predicates

– In declarative sentences – in many, the subject comes before predicate / in some, the predicate comes before the subject

• Example: Alice tripped on something. – Subject before predicate

• Example: On the ground were two rocks. – Predicate before subject

Complete Sentences Subjects and Predicates

– In interrogative sentences, part of the predicate comes before the subject.

– To find the subject, change the sentence into a declarative sentence. Then, look for the subject near the beginning of the sentence.

• Example: Can you fix my computer? • Example: You can fix my computer.

Complete Sentences Subjects and Predicates

– In most imperative sentences, only the predicate is written or spoken.

– The subject of the sentence is understood to be there. This understood subject is always you.

• Example: Open the window.

Sentence Fragment A sentence fragment does NOT

express a complete thought.– Something is missing…– Examples:

• Agreed to the plan. (Who agreed?)• That red car. (What about the red car?)• Late last night. (What happened?)

Run-On Sentence

A run-on sentence is two or more sentences written incorrectly as one. – Run-on: The contestant hesitated too long

the buzzer sounded.– Correct: The contestant hesitated too long.

The buzzer sounded. • There are other ways to correct this sentence -

we will get into that later!

Another type of run-on

Comma Splice / Comma Fault – The writer mistakenly uses a comma

instead of a period. – Run-on: Ray began as a backup singer,

now he sings lead.– Correct: Ray began as a backup singer.

Now he sings lead. • (In this correction, the writer made the run-on

sentence two single sentences.)

How to fix incorrectly written sentences Changing a fragment to a complete

sentence: – Add the missing information (could be the

subject - who or what of the sentence could be the verb).

– Begin the sentence with a capital letter.– End the sentence with ending punctuation.

How to fix incorrectly written sentences Changing a run-on to a complete

sentence. – 1st way: Change the run-on to two single

sentences, both beginning with capital letters and ending with the appropriate punctuation.

– 2nd way: Add a comma WITH a conjunction– 3rd way: Add a semi-colon

First way – two single sentences

Example: – Run-on: The dog quickly ran across the

road no one could catch it. – Run-on (comma splice / comma fault): The

dog quickly ran across the road, no one could catch it.

– Correct: The dog quickly ran across the road. No one could catch it.

Second way – Add a comma with a conjunction Example:

– Run-on: Susan already excels in art now she wants to study music.

– Run-on (comma splice / comma fault): Susan already excels in art, now she wants to study music.

– Correct: Susan already excels in art, and now she wants to study music.

Third way – Add a semi-colon Example:

– Run-on: The judge entered the courtroom everyone rose.

– Run-on (comma splice / comma fault): The judge entered the courtroom, everyone rose.

– Correct: The judge entered the courtroom; everyone rose.

• The semi-colon allows two independent clauses to stand together in a single sentence.

• Remember: an independent clause is something that can stand alone and make sense – it’s independent!

Capitalization

There are a set of rules in a packet I will give you on capitalization…

These come straight from OGT’s Buckle Down – a practice book to prepare for the OGT

It will be important you don’t lose this packet

Punctuation – some basics Comma (,)

– Used as a separation device– Used to join 2 independent clauses with a conjunction

Colon (:) – Used before a list or explanation– Acts as a gate, telling you to go on / keep reading

Semi-colon (;)– Used to separate 2 independent clauses in a single

sentence Quotation Marks (“ “)

– Used for when someone is speaking / quotes