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?
Verb?
- It flew away.
Subject?
Verb?
- Lucas groaned.
Subject?
Verb?
- He looked at his useless fishing pole.
Subject?
Verb?
- A net would have been better for these fish.
Subject?
Verb?
- Lucas grabbed a worm.
Subject?
Verb?
- He tossed it into the air.
Subject?
Verb?
- A fish flew up to it.
Subject?
Verb?
- The fish soared away.
Subject?
Verb?
- Lucas changed his dinner plans to pizza.
Subject?
Verb?
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.
- Made cookies all day last Saturday.
- Baked chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies.
- When I asked if she was done baking.
- Loves her lemon bars.
- If you want to know my favorite cookies.
- When Maggie really gets rolling.
- Asked her for cookies for the neighbors.
- After she finished her last batch.
- 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.