Transcript Sentence Structure

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.
– 1st way: Change the run-on to two single
sentences, both beginning with capital
letters and ending with the appropriate
punctuation.
– 2nd way: Add a comma WITH a conjunction
– 3rd 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