Sentence Structure

1
Sentence Structure

• Notes on types of sentences, complete sentences,
  and capitalization / punctuation

2
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.

3
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!

4
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!

5
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

6
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

7
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.

8
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.

9
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?)

10
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!

11
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.)

12
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.

13
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

14
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.

15
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.

16
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 its
  independent!

17
Capitalization

• There are a set of rules in a packet I will give
  you on capitalization
• These come straight from OGTs Buckle Down a
  practice book to prepare for the OGT
• It will be important you dont lose this packet

18
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