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Writing Simple Sentences
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.
Complete Subjects
o A 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.
o She called me yesterday.
o (She is both the simple subject and the complete subject of
this sentence.)
o The old gray mare is in the pasture.
o (The simple subject of this sentence is mare; the complete
subject is the old gray mare.)
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.
o My uncle David, Harold, and Harold’s sixyear-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.)
Sometimes the subject of a sentence is understood
rather than directly stated.
o Stop!
(The simple and complete subject, you, is
understood.)
Complete Verbs
A complete verb is made up of a single main verb and all of
the helping verbs that accompany it.
o The mare is in the pasture.
(The main verb, which is also the complete verb in this
sentence, is is.)
o She 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.)
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.
o They 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.)
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).
o I waited.
o The grizzled old doctor and his coughing,
sputtering car made their way to the office.
o Tony sat on the bench and let out a sigh.
o Dora and Michael bought sandwiches and took a
walk in the park.
Finding the Subject(s)
o The 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.
Subjects can be nouns or pronouns.
o A noun is a word that names a person, place or
thing:
o Abdullah, Lincoln University, classrooms…
o A pronoun is a word that stands for a noun:
o he, it,
they …
he, it, they …
Subjects, like nouns, can be singular or plural.
o This class is fun.
singular
o My classes are fun.
plural
o My teachers and my assignments are fun.
Plural
(compound)
Finding the Verb(s)
o All sentences have at least one verb.
o The verb explains what the subject is doing
(action verb) or connects the subject to words that
describe it (linking verb).
o That student works hard.
Action verb
o That student is industrious.
Linking verb
Many verbs are made up of more than
one word.
o I love grammar.
Main verb
o
o
o
o
Everyone should love grammar.
Soon you will love grammar too.
We are loving it already.
I have loved grammar all my life.
Helping verbs
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.
fragment
o
In the front row.
o
The student in the front row is smart.
sentence
2. The subject of a sentence will never be found
inside a prepositional phrase.
o
subjects
o
Each student in this room is intelligent.
All students in this room are intelligent.
prepositional phrases
Word of caution: At times, verb forms (usually
ending in –ing) can be the subject of a sentence.
o I am going to the mall.
Verb
o Going to the mall is my favorite pastime.
Subject!
Verb