Sentences  A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.  Every sentence begins with a capital letter.  Every sentence must have punctuation at the end.

Types of Sentences  Declarative – makes a statement and ends with a period.  Michelle and Toni went for walk.  Interrogative – asks a question and ends with a question mark.  Where did they go?  Imperative – gives a command or makes a request and ends with a period.  Go and call them back right now.  Exclamatory – expresses strong feelings and ends with an exclamation point.  I’m so excited about this hike!

Sentence Parts  Every complete sentence has a subject and a predicate.  The subject is who the sentence is about.  The predicate is what the subject is doing.

Sentence Subject  The complete subject includes all the words that tell what or whom the sentence is about.  The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject.  My cousin Sam enjoyed her visit to New York.

Sentence Predicate  The complete predicate includes all of the words that tells what the subject does.  The simple predicate is the main word or words in the complete predicate.  My cousin Sam enjoyed her visit to new York.

Compound Sentences  A compound sentence contains two sentences joined by a conjunction  Conjunctions – and,or, but  A comma comes before the conjunction between the two sentences.

 Do you want the soup for lunch, or do you want the sandwich?  I like to go to the park, and I also like to ride my bike.  I like to go to the park and ride my bike.

Clauses  A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate  Whenever I read a story.  This clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It is a dependent clause.  I like to sit in a comfortable spot when I read.  This clause can stand alone as a sentence. It is an independent clause.

Complex Sentences  A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one (or more) dependent clauses.  When a dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma after the dependent clause.  Whenever I read I like to find a comfortable spot.  Whenever I read, I like to find a comfortable spot.  I like to find a comfortable spot whenever I read.

Run-on Sentence  A run-on sentence is one in which two independent clauses (sentences) have been connected incorrectly.

Avoiding Run-on Sentences  Some students think they can put homework off until the last minute, they are probably wrong.  This is an example of the dreaded COMMA SPLICE!  A comma splice connects two independent clauses with only a comma. (Oh MY!!!)

 There are several ways to correct a run-on.  1. Insert a period  Some students think they can put homework off until the last minute. They are probably wrong.  2. Add a comma plus a conjunction.  Some students think they can put homework off until the last minute, but they are probably wrong.