Download Parts of a Sentence

Grammar – Chapter 6

Sentence = complete group of words that
express a thought.
 MUST:
▪ express either action OR state of being
▪ contain something that performs the action

Sentence fragment = group of words that is
not grammatically complete.

Fragment = Ended with a question.
What ended with a question?

Fragment = The letter to the editor.
What did the letter say or do?
Correct sentence =
The letter to the editor ended with a
question.

Fragment = Although the letter to the editor
ended with a question.
Why was the word although used? The word sets up a new
expectation for information; it turns the sentence into an
incomplete thought.
Correct sentence: Although the letter to the
editor ended with a question, its message
was clear.

Declarative:
 Makes a statement
 Ends with a period

Imperative:
 Makes a command/ request
 Ends with either a period OR exclamation point

Interrogative:
 Asks a question
 Ends with a question mark

Exclamatory:
 Expresses strong feeling
 Ends with an exclamation point

Subject = names the person, place, thing, or
idea

Predicate = tells what the subject does, what
it is, or what happens to it
Simple subject
Simple predicate
Complete subject
Complete predicate

Simple subject = key word(s) in the subject
(ex. high school or North America)

Simple predicate = verb or verb phrase that
tells something about the subject
NOTE: Not (n’t in a contraction) is never part of
a verb phrase.

Example 1:
A mathematician of ancient Greece discovered
important principles.
What is the simple subject?
mathematician
What is the simple predicate?
discovered
What is the complete subject?
A mathematician of ancient Greece
What is the complete predicate?
discovered important principles.

Example 2:
Archimedes’ Principle relates to the behavior of
solids in liquid.
What is the simple subject?
Archimedes’ Principle
What is the simple predicate?
relates
What is the complete subject?
Archimedes’ Principle
What is the complete predicate?
relates to the behavior of solids in liquids.

Three strategies to CORRECT the sentence:
1) Attach it
2) Add some words
3) Drop some words

Ask the following questions:
1) Does it have a subject?
2) Does it have a verb?
3) Does it express a complete thought?
If you cannot answer “yes” to all three
questions, you have a sentence fragment
(incomplete thought).


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pg. 118 exercise #1
pg. 120 exercise #3
pg. 121 exercise #5
pg. 122 exercise #6
On the handout provided, complete the
exercise “Write what you think” on page
122 of your book. Be certain to support
YOUR OPINION with reasons & specific
details. After you have revised your writing,
edit it to be sure you have used complete
sentences.
Although people who move from one
country to another face many challenges,
their lives are enriched by the moves they
make. The gains of making the move
outweigh the losses.