WOC 526
Page 526
Understanding Sentences
Sentences
526.1 Sentence
A sentence is made up of one or more words that express a complete thought. A sentence begins with a capital letter; it ends with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point.
This book will help you write better.
It explains the writing process step by step.
What else does it explain?
Wow, check out the table of contents!
Parts of a Sentence
526.2 Subject and Predicate
A sentence must have a subject and a predicate in order to express a complete thought. Either the subject or the predicate (or both) may not be stated, but both must be clearly understood.
(You) Check your phone for a new text.
(You is the understood subject.)
Who sent you the message?
Jamall. (did)
(Did is the understood predicate.)
What time did he send it?
(He sent it) Fifteen minutes ago.
(He is the understood subject, and sent is the understood predicate.)
526.3 Subject
A subject is the part of a sentence that is doing something or about which something is said.
Texting is a common way to communicate with friends.
526.4 Simple Subject
The simple subject is the subject without the words that describe or modify it.
Some mobile plans allow for unlimited texting.
WOC 527
Page 527
527.1 Complete Subject
The complete subject is the simple subject and all the words that modify it.
Some mobile plans allow for unlimited texting.
527.2 Compound Subject
A compound subject is composed of two or more simple subjects.
Jamall, Felicia, and Cindy text homework reminders to each other.
See page 89 for information about combining sentences with compound subjects and predicates.
527.3 Predicate
The predicate is the part of the sentence that says something about the subject.
The students remind each other of due dates.
527.4 Simple Predicate
The simple predicate is the predicate (verb) without the words that describe or modify it.
Jamall’s phone vibrates when he receives a text.
527.5 Complete Predicate
The complete predicate is the simple predicate with all of its objects and modifiers.
Jamall’s phone vibrates when he receives a text.
527.6 Compound Predicate
A compound predicate is composed of two or more simple predicates.
Some teachers create and share assignments on a classroom blog.
527.7 Compound Subject and Predicate
A sentence may have a compound subject and a compound predicate.
Felicia and Cindy read and respond to writing prompts on their classroom’s blog.
See page 84 for information about subject-verb agreement with compound subjects.
WOC 528
Page 528
528.1 Direct Object
The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the predicate—directly. (The direct object answers the question what? or whom?)
Some people treat blogs as online journals.
The direct object may be compound.
Other blogs discuss sports, politics, food, music, or movies.
528.2 Indirect Object
An indirect object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the predicate—indirectly. An indirect object names the person to whom or for whom something is done.
I emailed Jamall a link to an interesting blog post.
(Jamall is the indirect object because it says to whom the link was emailed.)
528.3 Modifier
A modifier is a word or a group of words that changes or adds to the meaning of another word. (See pages 544–546.)
Clauses
A clause is a group of related words that has both a subject and a predicate.
528.4 Independent and Dependent Clauses
An independent clause presents a complete thought and can stand as a sentence; a dependent clause does not present a complete thought and cannot stand as a sentence.
In the following sentences, the dependent clauses are in italic, and the independent clauses are underlined.
If search engines didn’t exist, I would need to change my research habits.
(Use a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence.)
I use search engines when I need to research a topic.
(In most cases, do not use a comma before a dependent clause at the end of a sentence.)
WOC 529
Page 529
Phrases
529.1 Phrase
A phrase is a group of related words that lacks either a subject or a predicate (or both).
doesn’t include any games
(This predicate lacks a subject.)
this website
(This subject lacks a predicate.)
except for Text Twist
(This phrase lacks both a subject and a predicate.)
This website doesn’t include any games except for Text Twist.
(Together, the three phrases form a complete thought.)
529.2 Types of Phrases
Phrases usually take their names from the main words that introduce them (prepositional phrase, verb phrase, and so on). They are also named for the function they serve in a sentence (adverb phrase, adjective phrase).
Michelle’s dog blog
(noun phrase)
with gifs and podcasts
(prepositional phrase)
quite frequently
(adverb phrase)
generates hits
(verb phrase)
Types of Sentences
529.3 Simple Sentence
A simple sentence is a sentence with only one independent clause (one complete thought). It may have either a simple subject or a compound subject. It may also have either a simple predicate or a compound predicate.
Anya’s dog barks.
(simple subject; simple predicate)
Anya’s dog and cat play.
(compound subject; simple predicate)
Anya’s dog and cat snore and sneeze loudly.
(compound subject; compound predicate)
A simple sentence may also contain one or more phrases, but no dependent clauses.
Anya’s dog often barks for attention.
(simple subject: dog; simple predicate: barks; phrase: for attention)
WOC 530
Page 530
530.1 Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences (also called independent clauses) that are joined by a coordinating conjunction, punctuation, or both.
Champ chases his tail, but he never catches it.
He chases tennis balls; he catches most of them.
530.2 Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains one independent clause (underlined) and one or more dependent clauses (in italics).
Even though Michelle’s dog is goofy, she still loves him.
(dependent clause followed by independent clause)
Michelle disciplined Champ when he gnawed the shoes that she just bought.
(independent clause and two dependent clauses)
530.3 Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses (underlined) and one or more dependent clauses (in italics).
The Statue of Liberty was sculpted by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, but the internal framework was designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who later designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Kinds of Sentences
530.4 Declarative Sentence
A declarative sentence makes a statement.
The Nile River is the longest river on earth.
530.5 Interrogative Sentence
An interrogative sentence asks a question.
Do you know where it is located?
530.6 Imperative Sentence
An imperative sentence gives a command. It often contains an understood subject (you).
Search for the answer.
530.7 Exclamatory Sentence
An exclamatory sentence communicates strong emotion.
The Nile River flows for 4,130 miles! That’s almost twice as long as the Mississippi River!
Teacher Support:
© 2025 Thoughtful Learning. Copying is permitted.
k12.thoughtfullearning.com