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Understanding Sentences
Important Things to Know About Sentences
1. A sentence expresses a complete thought.
2. A sentence has two basic parts—a subject and a predicate (verb).
3. A sentence makes a statement, asks a question, gives a command, or shows strong emotion.
4. A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point.
3. A sentence makes a statement, asks a question, gives a command, or shows strong emotion.
4. A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point.
You can find more about sentences on the next three pages and on pages 47–51.
Sentence Guide
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Parts of a Sentence
Subject
The subject names someone or something. The subject is often doing something.
My big brother flies RC airplanes.
(My big brother is the complete subject.)
His Spitfire strafes the dandelions.
(His Spitfire is the complete subject.)
My super-soaker can’t bring it down.
(My super-soaker is the complete subject.)
Simple Subject
The simple subject is the main word in the subject.
My big brother flies RC airplanes.
(Brother is the simple subject.)
His Spitfire strafes the dandelions.
(Spitfire is the simple subject.)
My super-soaker can’t bring it down.
(Super-soaker is the simple subject.)
Compound Subject
A compound subject is made up of two or more simple subjects joined by and or or.
My big brother and I re-enact the Battle of Britain.
(Brother and I make up the compound subject.)
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Parts of a Sentence (continued)
Predicate (Verb)
The predicate tells what the subject is or does.
Twix is a friendly porcupine.
(Is a friendly porcupine is the complete predicate.)
She begs visitors for apple chunks.
(Begs visitors for apple chunks is the complete predicate.)
Simple Predicate (Verb)
The simple predicate is the main word in the predicate part of the sentence.
Twix is a friendly porcupine.
(Is is the simple predicate.)
She begs visitors for apple chunks.
(Begs is the simple predicate.)
Compound Predicate (Verb)
A compound predicate has two or more simple predicates (verbs) joined by or, and, or but.
Twix greedily chomps and squeaks.
(Chomps and squeaks make up the compound predicate.)
Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject and verb of a sentence must “agree.” Both are singular, or both are plural.
Twix loves fruit.
(The singular subject Twix agrees with the singular verb loves.)
Porcupines love fruit.
(The plural subject porcupines agrees with the plural verb love.)
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Types of Sentences
Simple Sentence
A simple sentence expresses a complete idea.
Flowers grow.
(This is a simple sentence.)
Flowers and weeds grow.
(This sentence has two simple subjects.)
Flowers grow and bloom.
(This sentence has two simple predicates.)
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined by a comma and connecting word (and, but, or).
Weeds grow, and flowers bloom.
Kinds of Sentences
Declarative Sentence
A declarative sentence makes a statement.
Bilbo tricked three nasty trolls.
Interrogative Sentence
An interrogative sentence asks a question.
How did he do it?
Imperative Sentence
An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request.
Find out in this chapter.
Exclamatory Sentence
An exclamatory sentence shows strong emotion or surprise.
They argued until the sun turned them to stone!