SIMPLE SENTENCE

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SIMPLE SENTENCE

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Knowing the parts and how they work, allow you to
manipulate the machine. -Professor Hall
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The Simple Sentence

• The parts of speech are the fundamental building
  blocks of language and sentence structure.
• Each word has its function which is essential to
  the sentence.
• Knowing the parts of speech and being able to
  identify them is critical for understand sentence
  structure.

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The Simple Sentence

• The simple sentence is the most basic type of
  sentence.
• Every sentence must have a subject, verb and
  complete thought.
• Any sentence lacking either a subject, verb or
  complete thought, or all three elements is a
  FRAGMENT.
• Fragments are a very common mistake in student
  writing.
• This is an avoidable mistake simply make sure
  that all of your sentences contain a subject,
  verb and complete thought.

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Subjects

• Every sentence must have a subject!
• A subject is who or what the sentence is about.
• It is a noun or pronoun.
• Some students also find it useful to ask who is
  performing the action of the sentence.
• The problem with this is that not all verbs show
  action.
• Also, there are some subjects that look like
  verbs.
• Examples
• Students should not be intimidated by grammar.
• Everyone in Professor Halls ENC 1101 course will
  master grammar before the end of the semester.
• Knowing the parts of speech is essential for
  understanding the simple sentence.

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Subjects

• In imperative sentences (sentences that give a
  command), the subject is always implied.
• Examples
• Do not miss more than two classes or you will not
  pass this course.
• Review the parts of speech periodically in case
  there is a quiz.
• Visit the lab for writing assistance.

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Prepositional Phrases

• Prepositional phrases in a sentence often
  disguise the true subject of a sentence.
• You must be familiar with them in order to avoid
  this trap!
• Examples
• Students in Professor Halls ENC 1101 will be
  academically successful if they commit themselves
  to learning.
• Being aware of the parts of speech will help
  students to avoid common errors with subjects and
  verbs.
• The first of several editing assignments, which
  must be submitted to AskOnline, is due on
  Wednesday.

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Verbs

• Every sentence must have a complete verb!
• Verbs are the action the subject performs.
• However, verbs also show the condition or state
  of the subject.
• There are three categories of verbs
• Action
• Linking
• Helping

Beware Infinitives are not verbs! They are
considered a separate part of speech.
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• Action verbs
• show action
• Active learners demonstrate their understanding
  by participating in class.
• Linking verbs
• are linked with adjectives or present/ past
  participles
• Active learners are productive and successful
  students.
• Active learning is going to be essential for this
  course.
• Active learners are considered the most
  successful type of student.
• Helping verbs
• complete verbs that cannot stand alone
• Becoming an active learner will require
  dedication, commitment and time.

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SUBJECT / VERB AGREEMENT
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Subject / Verb Agreement

• Every sentence must have a subject, verb and
  complete thought.
• The subject and verb must agree
• If the subject is singular, the verb must be
  singular.
• Like many of you, Professor Hall was also a PBCC
  student.
• If the subject is plural, the verb must be
  plural.
• In addition, many of the tutors in the SLC are
  also PBCC students.

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Prepositional Phrases

• Be sure to cross off the prepositional phrases to
  avoid subject/verb agreement errors!
• The first of several editing assignments, which
  must be submitted to AskOnline, is due on
  Wednesday.
• Being aware of the parts of speech will help
  students to avoid common errors with subjects and
  verbs.

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Compound Subjects And, Or/Nor

• Compound subjects are subjects that contain two
  or more persons or things joined by the
  conjunctions and/or.
• Subjects that are joined by and are always
  plural.
• So, the verb must be plural.
• Subjects that are joined by or/nor may be
  considered singular or plural.
• Always use the subject closest to the verb to
  determine whether the verb should be singular or
  plural.

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Indefinite Pronouns

• There are some pronouns that are always singular,
  so their verbs must also be singular.
• Everyone has to do his or her homework in order
  to master a skill.
• There are some pronouns that are always plural,
  so their verbs must also be plural.
• All of the students have to do their homework in
  order to master the skills.
• There are some pronouns that can either be
  singular or plural, depending on the noun they
  replace.
• All of the homework is due.
• Some of the homework is due.
• All of the assignments are due.
• Some of the assignments are due.

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• Singular

• plural

• Each
• Every
• Everyone
• Everybody
• Anybody
• Somebody

• All
• Some
• None
• Many
• Both
• Several
• Few
• A few

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Collective Nouns

• Collective nouns refer to a single unit.
• They are considered singular and require a
  singular verb.

Examples team class group family society ju
ry military town
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Here / ThereThis/These

• Act as pronouns that refer to a noun later in the
  sentence (usually after the verb).
• So, the verb must agree with noun or pronoun
  here or there refers to.
• This is a singular pronoun, so it requires a
  singular verb.
• These is a plural pronoun, so it requires a
  plural verb.

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Review

• Knowing the parts and how they work, allows you
  to manipulate the machine.
• Identify the parts of speech in sentence above.
• Identify the subject of the sentence and its
  verb.
• How do the parts of speech aid you in
  understanding the simple sentence?