2. Writing Simple Sentences

3. Defining Simple Sentences A simple sentence is made up of a single complete subject and the complete verb(s) that tell what the subject does, did, or will do.

4. Complete Subjects oA complete subject is the simple subject of the sentence—a noun or a pronoun that tells who or what is being talked about—and all of the words that describe it. oShe called me yesterday. o(She is both the simple subject and the complete subject of this sentence.) oThe old gray mare is in the pasture. o(The simple subject of this sentence is mare; the complete subject is the old gray mare.)

5. Compound Subjects A compound subject consists of two or more simple subjects joined with and or or. A compound subject is still considered a single complete subject. oMy uncle David, Harold, and Harold’s six- year-old twin brothers all went to the movie together. (This sentence has three simple subjects—David, Harold, and brothers—but the phrase My uncle David, Harold, and Harold’s six-year-old twin brothers makes up a single complete subject.)

6. Sometimes the subject of a sentence is understood rather than directly stated. oStop! (The simple and complete subject, you, is understood.)

7. Complete Verbs A complete verb is made up of a single main verb and all of the helping verbs that accompany it. oThe mare is in the pasture. (The main verb, which is also the complete verb in this sentence, is is.) oShe has been calling me every day for a week. (The main verb is calling, and the helping verbs are has and been, so the complete verb is has been calling.)

8. Compound Verbs Verbs can be compound, too. Two or more complete verbs joined with and or or that refer to the same subject are considered a compound verb. oThey have planned the wedding and will spend their honeymoon in Key West. (The main verbs in this sentence are planned and spend, and the complete verbs are have planned and will spend. This sentence contains a compound verb because both verbs explain what the subject, they, did.)

9. A simple sentence can be very simple, containing only a simple subject and a main verb, or it can contain a compound subject or a compound verb (or both). oI waited. oThe grizzled old doctor and his coughing, sputtering car made their way to the office. oTony sat on the bench and let out a sigh. oDora and Michael bought sandwiches and took a walk in the park.

10. Finding the Subject(s) oToThe subject is the topic of the sentence, who or what is taking an action or being talked about. o Class starts early in the morning. o I am glad to be at school.

11. Subjects can be nouns or pronouns. oAoA noun is a word that names a person, place or thing: oAoAbdullah, Lincoln University, classrooms… oAoA pronoun is a word that stands for a noun: ohohe, it, they … he, it, they …

12. Subjects, like nouns, can be singular or plural. oToThis class is fun. oMoMy classes are fun. oMoMy teachers and my assignments are fun. singularplural Plural (compound)

13. Finding the Verb(s) oAoAll sentences have at least one verb. oToThe verb explains what the subject is doing (action verb) or connects the subject to words that describe it (linking verb). oToThat student works hard. oToThat student is industrious. Action verbLinking verb

14. Many verbs are made up of more than one word. oIoI love grammar. oEoEveryone should love grammar. oSoSoon you will love grammar too. oWoWe are loving it already. oIoI have loved grammar all my life. Main verb Helping verbs

15. Remember Two Important Things about Prepositional Phrases: 1.A prepositional phrase doesn’t make sense by itself, so it can’t be a complete sentence. oIoIn the front row. oToThe student in the front row is smart. fragment sentence

16. 2.The subject of a sentence will never be found inside a prepositional phrase. oEoEach student in this room is intelligent. oAoAll students in this room are intelligent. subjects prepositional phrases

17. Word of caution: At times, verb forms (usually ending in –ing) can be the subject of a sentence. oIoI am going to the mall. o Go Going to the mall is my favorite pastime. Verb Subject! Verb