The Basics of Sentences

1. The Basics of Sentences

2. What is a Sentence? • A sentence is the basic unit of written communication. 3 Rules for a sentence • A sentence must have 3 elements: • A subject • A predicate • Be a complete thought

3. What is a Subject? • A subject is the person, place, or thing that a sentence is about. • A subject is a noun or pronoun. • Some sentences may contain a compound subject, which means you could have two or more subjects (people, places, or things).

4. Simple Subject vs. Complete Subject • In a sentence, the simple subject is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. • Three popular bands will perform at the concert. • The complete subject is the noun plus the words that describe the noun. • Three popular bands will perform at the concert.

5. Identifying the Subject • Usually, the subject is located before the verb in a sentence. • The dog chased the cat. • Although I was tired, Iwent to class. • My parents are paying for my classes this semester.

6. Identifying the Subject • Occasionally, the subject will be found after or within the verb. • In inverted sentences that begin with Here or There. • Here is your textbook. • There are several friends coming to my graduation.

7. Identifying the Subject • Also, the subject of the sentence may be unstated. • In a command, the unstated subject is you. • Get out of here! • (You) get out of here! • Remember to pay your tuition. • (You) remember to pay your tuition.

8. Correctly identifying the subject • The squirrel ran up the tree to get away from the dog. • One of my friends takes classes at A&M. • Each of the students wants to pass the course. • Here is my class schedule. • Don’t forget to study for the test!

9. Correctly identifying the subject • The squirrel ran up the tree to get away from the dog. • One of my friends takes classes at A&M. • Each of the students wants to pass the course. • Here is my class schedule. • Don’t forget to study for the test! (You)

10. Subjects and Objects Subjects take actions in a sentence. Objects take no action. Example He punched her. She told on him. The object in a sentence as the entity that is acted upon by the subject.

11. Subjects and Objects with Pronouns VS. • Me • Me is the object pronoun, used as the object (or receiver) of the action of the verb, as in these examples: • My math teacher encouraged me to come for extra help after school. (Me is the object of encouraged.) • She asked me to bring my homework. (Me is the object of asked. I • I is the subject pronoun, used for the one "doing" the verb, as in these examples: • I am studying for a Russian test. (I is the subject of am studying.) • I can speak Russian, but I can't read it very well. (I is the subject of can speak and can’t read.)

12. What gets confusing for many people is which form to use when there are two subjects or objects linked with and, as in these examples: a) Jenny and me/I (?) joined the chess club. b) Jill took Justin and me/I (?) to the shop. In sentence a), Jenny and me/I are the subjects of the verb joined. Therefore, the subject pronoun, I, is considered correct. The opposite is true for sentence b). Justin and me/I are the objects of took. Therefore me is considered correct.

13. Choosing the Correct Case Todd and I / me went to the swimming hole. She talked to Todd and me / I. Sarah ran faster than John and me / I. John and I / me ran faster than Sarah.

14. Predicates In English grammar, a predicate is one of the two main parts of a sentence. (The other main part is the subject.) A predicate is usually defined as a word group that comes after the subject to complete the meaning of the ​sentence or clause.

15. A predicate may be one word. • A predicate may be just a single word: the verb. In this first example, the verb laughed is the predicate of the sentence: • Felix laughed.

16. Predicates can also be multiple words •  A predicate may be a word group made up of a main verb and any helping verbs or adjectives. In the next example, will sing is the predicate. Notice that the helping verb (will) comes before the main verb (sing). Winnie will sing. Winnie is green

17. A predicate may also be a complete verb phrase: that is, the main verb and all the words related to that verb except the subject. (This construction is called the complete predicate.) • In this last example, the predicate is the verb phrase is always greener on the other side: The grass is always greener on the other side. Whether it's just one word or many words, the predicate usually follows the subject and tells us something about it.

18. Review of parts of a sentence • A subject • A predicate • Must be a complete thought

19. What’s wrong with these sentences? Because the store was closed. When we arrive in Canada. Since it is so stormy outside.

20. Independent and Dependent Clauses • An independent clause is a group of words that can stand on its own as a sentence: it has a subject, a predicate, and is a complete thought. 

21. He ran. (Notice that while this sentence only contains two words, it is still a complete sentence because it contains a one word subject and a one word predicate that is also a complete thought.) • He ran fast. • I was late to work.

22. Dependent Clauses • A dependent clause is a group of words that also contains a subject and a predicate, but it is not a complete thought. Because it is not a complete thought, a dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence; it is dependent on being attached to an independent clause to form a sentence. • Because I woke up late this morning… (what happened?) • When we arrived in class… (what occurred?) • If my neighbor does not pay his rent on time… (what will happen?)

23. Common Sentence Errors • Sentence fragments • Run-on sentences • Comma splices

24. Sentence Fragments • A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. Some fragments are incomplete because they lack either a subject or a predicate, or both. • The fragments that most people have trouble with, however, are dependent clauses—they have a subject and a predicate, so they look like complete sentences, but they don’t express a complete thought. • They’re called “dependent” because they can’t stand on their own

25. Sentence Fragments • Because his car was in the shop (…What did he do?) • After the rain stops (…What then?) • When you finally take the test (…What will happen?) • Since you asked (…Will you get the answer?) • If you want to go with me (…What should you do?)

26. Does each of these examples have a subject? Yes. Does each have a predicate? Yes. So what makes the thought incomplete? • Because his car was in the shop. • After the rain stops. • When you finally take the test. • Since you asked. • If you want to go with me.

27. It’s the first word (Because, After, When, Since, If). • Because his car was in the shop. • After the rain stops. • When you finally take the test. • Since you asked. • If you want to go with me. • These words are subordinating conjunctions. If you know something about subordinating conjunctions, you can probably eliminate 90% of your fragments.

28. Run-On Sentences • These are also called fused sentences. You are making a run-on when you put two complete sentences (a subject and its predicate and another subject and its predicate) together in one sentence without separating them properly. Here’s 2 examples of run-on sentences: • My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky. • I don’t like hanging out with him he is really annoying

29. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky. My favourite spread is hummus. It is very garlicky. • I don’t like hanging out with him he is really annoying I don’t like hanging out with him. He is really annoying.

30. Correcting a run-on sentence We will look at a few ways you can correct a run on sentence: • A semi-colon ; • A comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) • A subordinating conjunction • A period / start a new sentence

31. The semi-colon • The main task of the semicolon is to mark a break that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop. It’s used between two main clauses that balance each other and are too closely linked to be made into separate sentences

32. Using a semi colon for a run on sentence • My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; it is very garlicky. You could use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so): • My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, for it is very garlicky. -OR- My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, and it is very garlicky.

33. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories. • We should go to the store after school; I heard that Dorritos are on sale!

34. You could also use a subordinating conjunction without a comma • My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus because it is very garlicky.

35. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; it is very garlicky. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, for it is very garlicky. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus because it is very garlicky. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus. It is very garlicky.

36. Comma-Splice • When two independent clauses are connected by only a comma, they constitute a run-on sentence that is called a comma-splice. When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses, it must be accompanied by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so). • My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, it is very garlicky. • I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.

37. These can be fixed by replacing the comma with a semi-colon, or by adding a conjunction. • E.g. I saw a magnificent albatross, it was eating a mouse Comma Splice • I saw a magnificent albatross, and it was eating a mouse. Fixed with a conjunction • I saw a magnificent albatross; it was eating a mouse. Fixed with a semi-colon

38. Commas – 5 Rules • 1) use a comma to separate items in a series. • 2) use a comma with a coordinating conjunctionto separate two independent clauses • 3) use a comma to set-off non-essential elements such as a phrase or clause.  Commas should be placed before and after a non-essential element in the middle of a sentence • 4) use a comma after an opening clause, word, or phrase • 5) use a comma to follow conventions of naming, citing sources, presenting addresses, dates, etc.

39. 1. Items is a series/list • Separating items in a series signals to the reader that the items are "like" in some respect. The series may be a series of adjectives describing something, a series of things to pick up at the market, or a series of adjective, infinitive, or prepositional phrases.  A series of two or more items should be separated by commas; however, there is some debate about whether the last item in a list of three items should take a comma.

40. Felix dislikes spinach, broccoli, green beans, and brussels sprouts • My favourite restaurants are McDonalds, Subway, and Tim Hortons • Sometimes finding healthy, delicious food can be difficult. • She was fast, athletic, and graceful.

41. The Oxford Comma • My favourite restaurants are McDonalds, Subway, and Tim Hortons • placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction in a list of 3 or more items

42. Why do we need the Oxford comma? • It can makes lists less confusing to read. Examples: • I love my parents, Lady Gaga and Humpty Dumpty. • I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty. • I had eggs, toast and orange juice. • I had eggs, toast, and orange juice. • I had milk, a peanut butter and jam sandwich and berries • I had milk, a peanut butter and jam sandwich, and berries.

43. 2. Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction (fanboys) to separate two independent clauses • Two or more independent clauses joined together need strong punctuation: a semi-colon, or a comma and a coordinating conjunction.  This punctuation tells the reader that the clause could stand on its own as a complete sentence. Writers join clauses together to show a close relationship between ideas and to vary the rhythm in the sound of their sentences. And the coordinating conjunctions—and, nor, for, but, yet, and so—also help writers identify the relationship between ideas and create coherence in their writing

44. We will be going to the mountains again this summer, but this time we will bring mosquito repellant. • Maya is going to travel throughout Southeast Asia for a year, and I will be staying home flipping burgers and going to school. • Felix does not like spinach, nor does he like broccoli.

45. 3. use a comma to set off non-essential elements • A non-essential element is information that is added to the core of a sentence to add further information—information that is useful, but not really essential to understanding the basic meaning.  To signal the reader that a word, phrase, or dependent clause is non-essential information, writers set these elements off by commas before and after the addition.  The information is thus enclosed by commas. If the phrase occurs at the beginning or end of the sentence, only the comma separating the phrase from the rest of the sentence is needed

46. She is, as you can probably tell, pretty nervous about public speaking. As you can probably tell, she is pretty nervous about public speaking. Once upon a time, before television and computers, people read books for fun. Jake brought his best friends from school, John and Alex, home with him for Thanksgiving dinner.

47. 4. use a comma after an opening clause, word, or phrase • As you can see, the problem is much bigger than we imagined. To help him understand how an internal combustion engine works, I drew a diagram. mild exclamations or interjections: Hey, I thought you were going to study tonight. Ok, then show me how you do it. No, I don't want pineapple on my pizza a name in a direct address: Miguel, do you want another cup of coffee? What do you think, Mr. Dillard? Remember, Mr. Dillard, you promised we wouldn’t have a test. Absolutely, John, get your skates on

48. 5. use a comma to follow conventions Use a comma to separate a city from a province. I am from Victoria, B.C. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and after the year before continuing with the sentence: The twins were born in June, 1979, one month before my 30th birthday. Use commas to surround titles or degrees: Professor Pete McSeed, Ph.D., received his doctoral from Amherst College a year before taking a teaching job at Yale.

49. Commas with quotations • Reynold asked, “Can we have ice cream for dinner?” • Bob snorted and said, “I don’t believe in zombies.” • “Don’t underestimate me,” she said with a friendly smile.

50. What is a Simple Sentence? • A simple sentence expresses one complete thought. • I went to class. • She studied for two hours. • My English class is hard. • The ocean is large.