THE SENTENCE

Subjects

and

Predicates

* A sentence is a group of words that express a complete thought

* Every sentence must have a subject and a predicate

• A subject is a noun or pronoun that names the person or thing that does the action

• A predicate is a verb that expresses the action or state of being

• A sentence must begin with a capital letter, and end with correct punctuation ( ! ? . )

SAMPLE SENTENCESsubject / predicate

• 1. The otter is a graceful animal.• 2. After several hours the hikers felt tired.• 3. In one year the heart circulates over one million gallons of blood throughout the

body. • 4. The actor in that new movie played Hamlet on Broadway.

• ALWAYS FIND THE VERB (PREDICATE/ACTION) FIRST, THEN ASK WHO or WHAT DOES THE ACTION to find the SUBJECT

•The complete subject includes the simple subject and all its modifiers* The complete predicate includes the verb with all its modifiers and

complements.

• PRACTICE – find the simple subject and the simple predicate

• 1. Angela ran in a marathon yesterday.• 2. The skiers enjoyed their holiday.• 3. After a long walk we finally arrived at the cabin.• 4. The universe includes millions of stars.• 5. The bright autumn leaves fluttered to the ground.• 6. An old blue cover is on the book.• 7. Trina’s aunt was the woman in the picture.

The Sentence PRACTICE in Word

SENTENCE TYPES

• According to use, there are four kinds of sentences:- Declarative – states a fact or opinion

Mrs. Severino lives in Philadelphia.

- Interrogative – asks a question

Have you ever seen the Liberty Bell?

- Imperative – makes a request or demand

Please sit up straight.

- Exclamatory – shows strong emotion

We just won the million dollar lottery!

FRAGMENTS and RUN ONS

• A fragment is a group of words which does not express a complete thought, punctuated as though it was a sentence. A fragment is missing either a subject or a predicate.

– EX: Running through the woods at night.– EX: Because he was hungry.

• A run-on sentence contains two or more sentences punctuated as if it was only one thought.

- EX: Susie is a nurse she works at Frankford Hospital.- EX: We planted roses, they require a lot of care but they are worth it.

* AVOID FRAGMENTS AND RUN-ONS!