The Parts of a Sentence
Grammar guide
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The Parts of a Sentence
A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb and be able to stand alone.
Joe dropped the ball.
The subject, Joe, is the main person, place or thing (noun) discussed in the sentence.
The verb, dropped, is a word that expresses action or helps to make a statement. A good rule of thumb to identify verbs is to look for those words that change tenses (present to past to future, etc.).
Sometimes sentences contain objects, ball, which are also nouns, but this time, they receive the action.
The Parts of Speech
Always look at how a word is functioning in a sentence to determine the part of speech; there are very few words that are always the same part of speech.
Moving is fun.
In this sentence, moving is a noun as it is the subject of the sentence.
I am moving.
In this sentence, moving is the verb as it is what I am doing.
The moving van is here.
In this sentence, moving is an adjective describing the noun, van.
Just to refresh your memory…
Even though he was very careful, Joe dropped the ball on the floor.
A noun is a person, place, or thing – Joe, ball, floor.
A verb shows action or helps to make a statement (helping/linking verbs) – was, dropped.
A pronoun takes the place of a noun – he (takes the place of Joe).
An adjective describes a noun – careful (describes Joe).
An adverb describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb – very (describes the adjective).
A conjunction links words or groups of words together – even though.
A preposition links a noun to the rest of the sentence – on.
Dependent and Independent Clauses
A clause contains a subject and a verb. If a clause can stand alone, it is an independent clause, or in other words, a complete sentence. If a clause cannot stand alone, it is dependent on the rest of the sentence to make sense, so it is a dependent clause.
Dependent clauses generally begin with subordinating conjunctions (although, while, because, if, whenever, as, since, even though, whether, etc.), and they need to work with an independent clause to create a complete sentence.
Even though he was very careful, Joe dropped the ball on the floor.
In the sentence above, even though he was very careful, is a dependent clause. It contains a subject, he, and a verb, was, but it cannot stand alone because it starts with a subordinating conjunction, even though. It needs the rest of the sentence to make sense.
The second part of the sentence, Joe dropped the ball on the floor, is an independent clause. It has a subject, Joe, and a verb, dropped, and it could stand alone.
Sentence Structure
Problems with sentence structure arise when writers mistakenly confuse dependent clauses or fragments with complete sentences.
As I watched the car drive away.
This is a fragment or a dependent clause because it begins with a subordinating conjunction and is an incomplete thought.
There are two ways to fix a fragment:
-Remove the subordinating conjunction. I watched the car drive away.
-Add an independent clause. As I watched the car drive away, I waved goodbye.
Other problems arise when a writer runs one complete sentence into another – a run-on sentence.
Sally lit the campfire Jack set up the tent.
There are fours ways to fix a run on sentence:
-Break up into two complete sentences.
Sally lit the campfire. Jack set up the tent.
-Turn into a compound sentence by adding a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Sally lit the campfire, and Jack set up the tent.
-Turn into a complex sentence by making one of the clauses dependent.
As Sally lit the campfire, Jack set up the tent.
OR
Sally lit the campfire while Jack set up the tent.
-If the sentences are inextricably linked, use a semi-colon. (Don’t overuse semi-colons.)
Sally lit the campfire; Jack set up the tent.
Identify all of the subjects and verbs in each of the following sentences.
1. The telephone books arrived late this year.
2. Tired of homework, Joe decided to take a break.
3. Since my aunt returned from her trip, she has had trouble with her eyesight.
4. Until three days ago, my leg hurt so badly that I could not walk.
5. I did really well on my quiz since I studied.
Correct the incomplete and run-on sentences.
1. Barbara ran into the room, Tom was already gone.
2. Although I tried very hard.
3. If the funding drive were successful, there would be enough money for the changes.
4. I saw that movie, I didn’t think it was very good in fact it was one of the worst I’ve seen in a while.
5. Driving down the wet, slippery road at a great speed.
The First Pronoun Rule: Agreement
A pronoun must always agree with the noun to which it refers.
Any young boy who watched Michael Jordan play wished they could be a basketball star some day.
The preceding sentence contains a pronoun error. They is incorrect because it relates back to the singular subject of the sentence, boy. The correct sentence is as follows:
Any young boy who watched Michael Jordan play basketball wished he could be a basketball star some day.
When indefinite pronouns are used, the trick is to isolate the subject to be sure that you choose the correct pronoun.
Neither of the two girls expressed their feelings out loud.
The above sentence is incorrect. The subject of the sentence is neither, which is singular, and therefore calls for a singular pronoun. The sentence should read as follows:
Neither of the two girls expressed her feelings out loud.
A good rule of thumb is if you could add ‘one’ or ‘body’ after the word, it is singular.
The following indefinite pronouns are all singular:
Either (one) No one
Neither (one) Everyone
Each (one) Everybody
Any (one) Somebody
Anyone Anybody
The Second Pronoun Rule: Case
If a pronoun is the subject of a sentence, you must use a subject pronoun.
If a pronoun is the object in a sentence, you must use an object pronoun.
(She/Her) is going to the party. – She
I gave the book to (he/him). – him
These rules become more difficult when more words are added to the subject or object.
Me and Jane are going to the mall. Incorrect
Jane and I are going to the mall. Correct
The trick is to isolate the pronoun to be sure the sentence makes sense.
Subject -Verb Agreement
The verb of a sentence must always agree with its subject. The trick, again, is to isolate the subject. In other words, put mental parentheses around all of the words between the subject and the verb.
The best answer of the many good answers were Susie’s. Incorrect
The best answer of the many good answers was Susie’s. Correct
The subject of the sentence is the best answer, which is singular, and therefore calls for a singular verb. If you took out the rest of the words, the correct answer is easy to spot.
The best answer was Susie’s.
Pronoun -Verb Agreement
The same rules apply here; you just need to remind yourself of those singular indefinite pronouns.
Each of these moments have played over again in my mind. Incorrect
Each of these moments has played over again in my mind. Correct
Each (one) is a singular indefinite pronoun and needs a singular verb.
Verb Tense Switching
If a sentence starts in present tense (or past, future, etc.), it should stay there.
Sam is walking down the street when he found a large suitcase. Incorrect
The sentence could be made correct by either changing all verbs to present tense or all to past tense.
Sam is walking down the street when he finds a large suitcase. Correct
OR
Sam was walking down the street when he found a large suitcase. Correct
Correct the errors in the following sentences.
1. Whenever I ask him to clean his room, he found excuses not to do so.
2. The teacher asked she to do the homework.
3. Any of the boys are able to complete the task.
4. The cutest dog of the many cute dogs were the one I took home with I.
5. No one have the right to leave without paying their bill.
The Comma (,) - The quick list of rules - Use a comma:
To separate items in a series (including a comma before the conjunction)
To separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun
After introductory phrases and clauses
To set off non-essential clauses and phrases within a sentence
Before and, but, or, nor, for, and yet joining two independent clauses (or complete sentences)
To set off sentence interrupters, such as transitional words.
In certain conventional situations - dates, addresses, closing of a letter
Correct the following sentences. Then create new sentences using the same rule.
1. Meg asked for pancakes toast eggs and juice.
2.
3. The wind blew lightening flashed thunder boomed and rain poured down.
4.
5. The wind blew furiously through the trees lightening flashed across the sky thunder boomed and rolled and rain poured down.
6.
7. That is a long narrow dangerous road.
8.
9. The Broncos scored three touchdowns in the first quarter but the Chiefs came from behind and won the game.
10.
11. Bob Barker who likes animals wants to be a veterinarian.
12.
13. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland written by Lewis Carol has become a classic.
14.
15. No I don't have an extra fifty bucks.
16.
17. Frightened by the noise the pigeons flew the coop.
18.
19. Walking towards the barn Jennifer mooed like a cow.
20.
21. Until we have enough money everyone must pitch in.
22.
23. Barry of course won't be there.
24.
25. Therefore the answer is wrong.
26.
27. The ecologist Professor Blake joined us for the lecture.
28.
29. Please answer the door AJ.
30.
31. Jamie did not however read the story.
32.
33. My family moved to Denver Colorado on Monday May 23 1985.
34.
35. I live at 425 East Mulberry Lane Knoxville Tennessee 37902.
36.
37. John F. Kennedy Jr. was killed in a plane crash.
Semicolon (;)
- Use a semicolon between independent clauses (or complete sentences) in a sentence if they are closely related and not joined by and, but, or, nor, yet, for.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee utilizes semicolons when she describes Bob Ewell: "A shock of wispy new-washed hair stood up from his head; his nose was thin, pointed, and shiny; he had no chin to speak of--it seemed to be part of his crepey neck."
- Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a transitional expression such as for example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly, moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise, however, consequently, instead, hence.
I did not go to the movies; instead, I walked the dog around the block.
- Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.
The examinations will be held on Wednesday, June 26; Thursday, June 27; and Friday, June 28.
Colon (:)
Use a colon to mean "note what follows"
- to introduce a list of items following a complete sentence (when a list immediately follows a verb or preposition, DO NOT use a colon)
You will need several pieces of equipment: a jacket, a can of Spam, a thick piece of plastic, and a water bottle. (correct)
My three favorite hobbies are: sewing, skating, and painting. (incorrect)
- between the hour and the minute when you write time
School starts at 7:15 in the morning.
- between chapter and verse when referring to the Bible
Genesis 27:28
- after the salutation of a formal letter
Dear Mrs. Estrada:
- after a complete sentence and before a long, formal statement or quotation
Horace Mann had this to say about dealing with those who disagree with you: "Do not think about knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as irrational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago."
Correct the following sentences by adding commas, semicolons, and colons:
1. In science class we had to learn the meaning of the following words amphibian, chromosome, neutron, oxidation and plasma.
2. At 10 45 the preacher ended her sermon by reading Exodus 20 12.
3. There were many choices at the buffet sandwiches cold drinks and tamales.
4. Just before the final buzzer of the game Sandra made a basket we won by two points.
5. Phillip did as he was told however he grumbled ungraciously.
6. Lillian enjoys reading science fiction her brother likes to read mysteries.
7. From 1851 to 1864 the United States had four presidents Millard Fillmore a Whig from New York Franklin Pierce a Democrat from New Hampshire James Buchanan a Democrat from Pennsylvania and Abraham Lincoln a Republican from Illinois.
8. There are only three primary colors in painting red blue and yellow.
9. Other colors are mixtures of primary colors for instance purple is a mixture of red and blue.
10. In his speech to The King's Men our dramatic club Mr. Henry Stevenson Jr. quoted several Shakespearean plays Romeo and Juliet The Tempest Macbeth and Julius Caesar.
The Apostrophe (')
1. Ownership Bob’s camera is brand new.
2. Relationship Troy’s cousin is flying in today.
Cleaning the apartment was a day’s work.
To form the possessive case of a singular noun, simply add an apostrophe and an s.
The dog’s bowl was empty.
Other singular possessives ~
Morning’s paper
Mom’s car
Julie’s attitude
Note: names ending in s or z, which have two or more syllables, can be made possessive by simply adding an apostrophe.
Mr. Rawlings’ house
Mr. Chavez' house
Note: names ending in s which have only one syllable are made possessive by adding 's.
Mrs. Jones’s briefcase
__________________ Write your own last name in the possessive form.
Plural Nouns
To form the possessive case of a plural noun, simply add the apostrophe.
Plural Noun Plural Possessive
girls + ' = possessive case girls’ track team
weeks + ' = possessive case two weeks’ vacation
Most plural nouns end in s. Some do not.
If not, to make the plural possessive, simply add an apostrophe and an s
Women Women’s swimming
Teeth Teeth’s cavities
People People’s fair
Mice Mice’s cheese
Children Children’s toys
Note: Apostrophes show ownership or relation; they are never used to make a noun plural.
Correct the following:
Tomorrows plans have been cancelled.
The two girls were late for class.
The three girls coats are on the floor.
The mens room is on the second floor.
The turkeys are on the move.
That hamburgers pickles are sour!
Several trees leaves turn color in the autumns cold.
Two monkeys are in each cage at Denvers only zoo.
Indefinite Pronouns - require an apostrophe and an s
Everyone’s ideas Another’s car Somebody’s grandma
Possessive Plural Pronouns – do not require an apostrophe and an s
my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs
That is my chalupa. That chalupa is mine.
Her coat was ugly. Hers was the ugly coat.
- The possessive form of who is whose, not who’s! Who’s refers to the contraction who is.
- The possessive form of it is its. It's is only reserved for the contraction it is.
Compound words, names of organizations, and words showing joint possession:
Only the last word is in possessive form…
School board’s decision
Mother-in-law’s lasagna
American Heart Association’s calendar
David and Marie’s house boat
Brewster, Johansen, Gormley, and Porter’s office
Two or more people possess something individually
If Mark and Steve each have a pair of shoes, we would write and say…
Mark’s and Steve’s shoes
Mrs. Wheeler’s and Mrs. Stuart’s children
Omissions
Use an apostrophe with contractions and missing letters or numbers.
’01 2001
She isn’t here. is not
Numbers, signs, letters, and words referred to as words:
The word grammar has two m’s, two a’s, and two r’s.
Grades on the short story ranged from the 60’s to the 90’s.
No but’s about it…
If the underlined word is INCORRECT, write the correct form of the word above it. If the underlined word is CORRECT, write OK above the word.
1. Its almost 2 a.m.!
2. Northglenns girls tennis team beat Legacy's tennis team.
3. Jim and Sallys children are going to Mexicos best beach.
4. The mornings' paper was soaked by my neighbors sprinklers.
5. Who's enchilada did you eat?
Quotation Marks (")
1. Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation. "Hi," Pete replied.
2. A direct quotation begins with a capital letter. Pete said, "Hi."
3. When a quoted sentence is divided into two parts, such as with he said, the second part begins with a small letter. "I see," she said, "the white light."
4. Commas and end punctuation are always placed inside closing quotation marks.
5. When you write dialogue, begin a new paragraph every time the speaker changes.
6. Use quotation marks to enclose titles of articles, short stories, poems, songs, chapters, and other parts of books or periodicals. Underline novels, plays, and other larger works.
7. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotations.
Examples: The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don’t Walk," to "Walk" again.
She said, "Hurry up." She said, "He said, ‘Hurry up.’"
8. The placement of question marks with quotations follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quotation.
Examples: She asked, "Will you still be my friend?"
Do you agree with the saying, "All’s fair in love and war"?
Here the question is outside the quotation.
Note: Only one end punctuation mark is used with quotation marks.
Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after war is used.
10. When you have a question outside AND inside a quotation, use
only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.
Example: Did she say, "May I go?"
11. Use single quotation marks for quotations within quotations. Note that
the period goes inside all quotation marks.
Example: He said, "Mary said, ‘Do not treat me that way.’"
12. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.
Direct Quotation: "When will you be here?" he asked.
Indirect Quotation: He asked when you will be there.
13. Citations - According to proper MLA format, the punctuation should come after the parenthetical citation.
Example: As Dr. Ipswitch notes, "Clams are people, too" (654).
Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Commas, and Periods
Correct the following sentences:
1. “I told you once Jane that you are an excellent bowler” said Jamie.
2. When I tell you an exciting story I expect you to listen.
3. The water was boiling the toast was burning the blender was whirring and I was watching it all.
4. Northglenn High School located off 104th and Huron won the game last night
5. My dogs house has indoor plumbing.
6. Pencils pens and erasers are essential for English.
7. The womens luge team won the gold
8. All of the students papers were excellent
9. To tell the truth I never swim in the ocean at night
10. “In the beginning James stammered I thought I loved you.”
11. I went to the zoo and saw the zebras eating hay.
12. In most schools in Colorado the CSAP scores were average.
13. My moms car over-heated on the highway.
14. I read all of e.e. cummings poetry. (Note: his name ends in s)
15. The schools attendance policy is getting tougher.
16. Everybodys grandma went to the theater.
17. “Are you going to Florida for spring break” asked Jonny
18. I love the Jones new Viper.
19. Susan Glaspel a writer from the Midwest moved to New York
20. My five sisters boyfriends are coming over for dinner tonight he replied.
21. Mr. Juarez business is thriving.
22. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his vision of brotherhood when he spoke the immortal words, I have a dream, deeply rooted in the American Dream (2)
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