English Grammar for the Utterly Confused - Laurie Rozakis 2003
What is a Sentence
Chapter 8 Writing Correct and Complete Sentences
Part 3 Sentence Sense
You should read this chapter if you need to review or learn about
Get Started
Here we will focus on sentences and sentence parts masquerading as sentences. First, you will discover how to identify sentences by their function and form. Then you will practice correcting incomplete and incorrect sentences.
What is a Sentence?
Sentence: Halt!
Sentence: You halt!
Sentence: Please halt right now, before you go any further.
Each of these three word groups is a sentence because they each meet the three requirements for a sentence. To be a sentence, a group of words must
• Have a subject (noun or pronoun)
• Have a predicate (verb or verb phrase)
• Express a complete thought
A sentence has two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject includes the noun or pronoun that tells what the subject is about. The predicate includes the verb that describes what the subject is doing.
Therefore, a sentence is a group of words with two main parts: a subject area and a predicate area. Together, the subject and predicate express a complete thought.
Being able to recognize the subject and the verb in a sentence will help you make sure that your own sentences are complete and clear. To check that you’ve included the subject and verb in your sentences, follow these steps:
• To find the subject, ask yourself, “What word is the sentence describing?”
• To find an action verb, ask yourself, “What did the subject do?”
• If you can’t find an action verb, look for a linking verb.
Quick Tip
In a question, the verb often comes before the subject. For example: “Is the ice cream in the freezer?” The verb is is; the subject is ice cream.