Sentence Structure Notes on types of sentences, complete sentences, and capitalization / punctuation

What is a complete sentence? A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. –Example: The alarm at the bank sounded late last night. A complete sentence must also begin with a capital letter, and end with appropriate punctuation. A complete sentence has both a subject and a predicate.

Types of sentences Declarative –Makes a statement –Ends with a period (.) –Ex.) A beautiful house overlooks the river. Imperative –Gives a command –Usually ends with a period, but could end with an exclamation point. (.) (!) –Ex.) Do ten more push-ups. –Ex.) Hurry up!

Types of sentences cont. Interrogative –Asks a question –Ends with a question mark (?) –Ex.) When is our test? Exclamatory –Expresses strong emotion –Ends with an exclamation point (!) –Ex.) I passed the English test!

Complete Sentences A complete sentence has both a subject and a predicate Subjects can be directly or indirectly stated. –Subject = who or what the sentence is about –Predicate = the verb / tells what the subject does or is

Complete Sentences Subjects and Predicates –In declarative sentences – in many, the subject comes before predicate / in some, the predicate comes before the subject Example: Alice tripped on something. –Subject before predicate Example: On the ground were two rocks. –Predicate before subject

Complete Sentences Subjects and Predicates –In interrogative sentences, part of the predicate comes before the subject. –To find the subject, change the sentence into a declarative sentence. Then, look for the subject near the beginning of the sentence. Example: Can you fix my computer? Example: You can fix my computer.

Complete Sentences Subjects and Predicates –In most imperative sentences, only the predicate is written or spoken. –The subject of the sentence is understood to be there. This understood subject is always you. Example: Open the window.

Sentence Fragment A sentence fragment does NOT express a complete thought. –Something is missing… –Examples: Agreed to the plan. (Who agreed?) That red car. (What about the red car?) Late last night. (What happened?)

Run-On Sentence A run-on sentence is two or more sentences written incorrectly as one. –Run-on: The contestant hesitated too long the buzzer sounded. –Correct: The contestant hesitated too long. The buzzer sounded. There are other ways to correct this sentence - we will get into that later!

Another type of run-on Comma Splice / Comma Fault –The writer mistakenly uses a comma instead of a period. –Run-on: Ray began as a backup singer, now he sings lead. –Correct: Ray began as a backup singer. Now he sings lead. (In this correction, the writer made the run-on sentence two single sentences.)

How to fix incorrectly written sentences Changing a fragment to a complete sentence: –Add the missing information (could be the subject - who or what of the sentence could be the verb). –Begin the sentence with a capital letter. –End the sentence with ending punctuation.

How to fix incorrectly written sentences Changing a run-on to a complete sentence. –1 st way: Change the run-on to two single sentences, both beginning with capital letters and ending with the appropriate punctuation. –2 nd way: Add a comma WITH a conjunction –3 rd way: Add a semi-colon

First way – two single sentences Example: –Run-on: The dog quickly ran across the road no one could catch it. –Run-on (comma splice / comma fault): The dog quickly ran across the road, no one could catch it. –Correct: The dog quickly ran across the road. No one could catch it.

Second way – Add a comma with a conjunction Example: –Run-on: Susan already excels in art now she wants to study music. –Run-on (comma splice / comma fault): Susan already excels in art, now she wants to study music. –Correct: Susan already excels in art, and now she wants to study music.

Third way – Add a semi-colon Example: –Run-on: The judge entered the courtroom everyone rose. –Run-on (comma splice / comma fault): The judge entered the courtroom, everyone rose. –Correct: The judge entered the courtroom; everyone rose. The semi-colon allows two independent clauses to stand together in a single sentence. Remember: an independent clause is something that can stand alone and make sense – it’s independent!

Capitalization There are a set of rules in a packet I will give you on capitalization… These come straight from OGT’s Buckle Down – a practice book to prepare for the OGT It will be important you don’t lose this packet

Punctuation – some basics Comma (,) –Used as a separation device –Used to join 2 independent clauses with a conjunction Colon (:) –Used before a list or explanation –Acts as a gate, telling you to go on / keep reading Semi-colon (;) –Used to separate 2 independent clauses in a single sentence Quotation Marks (“ “) –Used for when someone is speaking / quotes