Writing Complete Sentences
A sentence needs to have a subject, which tells what the sentence is about.
Lucas went fishing.
(The subject is Lucas—what the sentence is about.)
A sentence also needs to have a verb, which tells what the subject is doing or being.
Lucas spotted a flying fishing.
(The verb is spotted—what Lucas did.)
A sentence also must express a complete thought. The words below have a subject and verb, but do not express a complete thought.
Although he saw the fish.
(Yes, what about it?)
Although he saw the fish, he couldn't believe it.
(The incomplete thought is joined to a complete sentence.)
When you write, make sure each sentence has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. Otherwise, it is a sentence fragment.
Find subjects and verbs.
Read each sentence. Write down its subject and verb. Make a copy of this Google doc.
- A fish leaped out of the water.
Subject?
fish
Verb?
leaped
- It flew away.
Subject?
It
Verb?
flew
- Lucas groaned.
Subject?
Lucas
Verb?
groaned
- He looked at his useless fishing pole.
Subject?
He
Verb?
looked
- A net would have been better for these fish.
Subject?
net
Verb?
would have been
- Lucas grabbed a worm.
Subject?
Lucas
Verb?
grabbed
- He tossed it into the air.
Subject?
He
Verb?
tossed
- A fish flew up to it.
Subject?
fish
Verb?
flew
- The fish soared away.
Subject?
fish
Verb?
soared
- Lucas changed his dinner plans to pizza.
Subject?
Lucas
Verb?
changed
Fix sentences.
Read each sentence fragment. Use your imagination to create a sentence, adding a subject or verb or complete thought. Make a copy of this Google doc.
- In her mom's kitchen, Maggie.
(Answers will vary.) In her mom's kitchen, Maggie loves to bake.
- Made cookies all day last Saturday.
(Answers will vary.) She made cookies all day last Saturday.
- Baked chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies.
(Answers will vary.) Maggie baked chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies.
- When I asked if she was done baking.
(Answers will vary.) When I asked if she was done baking, Maggie made three more batches.
- Loves her lemon bars.
(Answers will vary.) Her mom loves her lemon bars.
- If you want to know my favorite cookies.
(Answers will vary.) If you want to know my favorite cookies, they are snickerdoodles.
- When Maggie really gets rolling.
(Answers will vary.) When Maggie really gets rolling, she has pans on every oven shelf.
- Asked her for cookies for the neighbors.
(Answers will vary.) Maggie's brother asked her for cookies for the neighbors.
- After she finished her last batch.
(Answers will vary.) After she finished her last batch, Maggie took them to the neighbors.
- Into everyone's heart.
(Answers will vary.) Maggie has baked her way into everyone's heart.
Write complete sentences.
Write four complete sentences about your favorite foods. Underline each subject once and each verb twice. Make sure each sentence expresses a complete thought.