Language Network

The Sentence and Its Parts

The Sentence and Its Parts

Kinds of Sentences

Here’s the Idea Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Here’s the Idea

Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.

Here’s the Idea

A sentence can be used to make a statement, ask a question, make a request, or show strong feeling.

Here’s the Idea

A

declarative

sentence makes a statement.

Here’s the Idea A declarative sentence always ends with a period.

I see something weird in that tree.

It looks like a gray basketball.

Here’s the Idea

An

interrogative

sentence asks a question.

Here’s the Idea An interrogative sentence always ends with a question mark.

What do you think it is?

Is it a hornet’s nest?

Here’s the Idea

An

imperative

sentence tells or asks someone to do something.

Here’s the Idea An imperative sentence makes a request or gives a command. It usually ends with a period, but it may end with an exclamation point.

Please don’t get too close to it.

Be careful!

Here’s the Idea

An

exclamatory

sentence shows strong feeling.

Here’s the Idea An exclamatory sentence always ends with an exclamation point.

I see hornets flying out!

I’m getting out of here!

Why It Matters LITERARY MODEL

Scrooge: . . .Come, come, what is it you want? Don’t waste all day, Nephew.

INTERROGATIVE IMPERATIVE

Fred: I only want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Uncle. Don’t be cross.

—Charles Dickens,

DECLARATIVE

A Christmas Carol

Practice and Apply

Identify the following sentence as declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.

1.

I found an amusing story in a book of folk humor.

Practice and Apply

Identify the following sentence as declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.

2.

Was it about a well-known judge who lived in China?

Practice and Apply

Identify the following sentence as declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.

3.

That’s the one!

The Sentence and Its Parts

Fragments and Run-Ons

Here’s the Idea Fragments Run-On Sentences

Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Here’s the Idea

Sentence fragments and run-on sentences are writing errors that can make your writing difficult to understand.

Here’s the Idea

Sentence Fragment

A sentence fragment is part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence.

Here’s the Idea A sentence fragment might be missing a subject. To correct it, add a subject.

They Build traditional homes called longhouses.

ADD A SUBJECT

Here’s the Idea A sentence fragment might be missing a predicate. To correct it, add a predicate.

ADD A PREDICATE

Here’s the Idea

Run-On Sentence

A run-on sentence is two or more sentences written as though they were a single sentence.

Here’s the Idea What is wrong with this sentence?

The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of tree bark.

The passage is actually two sentences written incorrectly as one.

Here’s the Idea

Combine two sentences using a conjunction. Be sure to use a comma before the conjunction.

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of tree bark.

STUDENT MODEL

REVISION

The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, and the walls are made of tree bark.

Here’s the Idea

Divide a run-on into two complete sentences.

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of bark.

STUDENT MODEL

REVISION

The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves. The walls are made of tree bark.

Why It Matters

Fragments and run-on sentences can make your writing confusing and difficult to read.

If you fix these problems, your writing will read more clearly.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the following fragment as a complete sentence.

4.

Are cartoons that tell a story.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the following fragment as a complete sentence.

5.

Included Superman, Dick Tracy, and Little Orphan Annie.

Practice and Apply

Correct this run-on sentence.

6.

The boxes with the scenes are called panels, the spaces with the dialogue are called speech balloons.

Practice and Apply

Correct this run-on sentence.

7.

Early comic strips were quite popular, many people called them “funnies.”