SentencesSentences

Declarative SentencesDeclarative Sentences

• Declarative sentences are statements. They Declarative sentences are statements. They do not have to be true. A declarative do not have to be true. A declarative sentence always ends with a period.sentence always ends with a period.

• Examples: Examples:

• I am sitting on a tack. I am sitting on a tack.

• The duck ate my sandwich. The duck ate my sandwich.

Interrogative SentencesInterrogative Sentences

• Interrogative sentences are questions. Interrogative sentences are questions. Think of interrogating someone. An Think of interrogating someone. An interrogative sentence always ends in a interrogative sentence always ends in a question mark.question mark.

• Examples:Examples:

• Where did you put the frog?Where did you put the frog?

• Why is there a sheep in my bed?Why is there a sheep in my bed?

Imperative SentencesImperative Sentences

• Imperative sentences are commands. Think Imperative sentences are commands. Think of imperial (related to royalty). They give of imperial (related to royalty). They give commands. An imperative sentence may end commands. An imperative sentence may end in an exclamation point or period. The in an exclamation point or period. The invisible subject is invisible subject is youyou. .

• Examples:Examples:• Get the sheep out of my bed! (The subject is Get the sheep out of my bed! (The subject is

you.)you.)• Bring me my tea. (The subject is you.) Bring me my tea. (The subject is you.)

Exclamatory SentencesExclamatory Sentences

• Exclamatory sentences are exclamations but Exclamatory sentences are exclamations but not interjections. An exclamatory sentence not interjections. An exclamatory sentence always ends in an exclamation point.always ends in an exclamation point.

• Examples:Examples:

• The sheep are out!The sheep are out!

• How wonderful it is!How wonderful it is!

Simple subjects and simple Simple subjects and simple predicatespredicates

• The simple subject is the performer of the sentence, the The simple subject is the performer of the sentence, the one doing the action.one doing the action.

• The simple predicate is what the subject does or is. The simple predicate is what the subject does or is. • Example:Example:• The sheep ate my hat.The sheep ate my hat.• Sheep is the simple subject, the one performing.Sheep is the simple subject, the one performing.• What did the sheep do?What did the sheep do?• Ate is the simple predicate, what the sheep did. Ate is the simple predicate, what the sheep did. • The simple subject and simple predicate are called deep The simple subject and simple predicate are called deep

structure, the foundation of a sentence. structure, the foundation of a sentence.

Simple predicatesSimple predicates

• Simple predicates are always verbs. They may be Simple predicates are always verbs. They may be action verbs or verbs of being. Words like action verbs or verbs of being. Words like is, are, is, are, am, were, was, am, were, was, and and will be will be are always verbs. are always verbs.

• Example: Example: • The sheep is in the bathtub.The sheep is in the bathtub.• The sheep is the performer, the simple subject.The sheep is the performer, the simple subject.• The simple predicate is The simple predicate is isis, what the subject , what the subject isis. .

Compound subjectsCompound subjects

• Compound anything is more than one thing combined with Compound anything is more than one thing combined with another. another.

• Compound subjects are two or more simple subjects used Compound subjects are two or more simple subjects used in a sentence and tied together with the word in a sentence and tied together with the word and, but, orand, but, or. .

• Example:Example:• Lilly and Larry ran away.Lilly and Larry ran away.• Lilly or Larry will come back.Lilly or Larry will come back.• Lilly, but not Larry, came back. Lilly, but not Larry, came back. • Lilly and Larry are both simple subjects in this sentence. Lilly and Larry are both simple subjects in this sentence.

Compound predicatesCompound predicates

• Compound predicates are two action verbs, Compound predicates are two action verbs, two simple predicates used in a sentence.two simple predicates used in a sentence.

• Example: Example:

• Larry skipped and sang.Larry skipped and sang.

• Lilly jumped and screamed. Lilly jumped and screamed.

Simple SentencesSimple Sentences

• Simple sentences are complete thoughts. They have a Simple sentences are complete thoughts. They have a simple subject and a simple predicate and can stand alone. simple subject and a simple predicate and can stand alone. A simple sentence is also called an independent clause. A simple sentence is also called an independent clause.

• Example: Example: • The sheep are in my bed.The sheep are in my bed.• Simple sentences can have compound subjects and/or Simple sentences can have compound subjects and/or

compound predicates. They are still simple sentences if compound predicates. They are still simple sentences if they have one complete thought.they have one complete thought.

• The sheep and the cows are in my bed.The sheep and the cows are in my bed.• The sheep rolled and tossed in my bed. The sheep rolled and tossed in my bed.

Compound SentencesCompound Sentences

• Compound sentences are really two simple sentences tied Compound sentences are really two simple sentences tied together with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, together with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). To remember these conjunctions, think FAN or, yet, so). To remember these conjunctions, think FAN BOYS. A comma is placed before the conjunction.BOYS. A comma is placed before the conjunction.

• Example:Example:• Sentence 1: The sheep are in my bed.Sentence 1: The sheep are in my bed.• Sentence 2: The cows are in your bed.Sentence 2: The cows are in your bed.• Compound sentence:Compound sentence:• The sheep are in my bed, but the cows are in your bed. The sheep are in my bed, but the cows are in your bed. • It is also possible to place a semicolon between the two It is also possible to place a semicolon between the two

sentences: The sheep are in my bed; the cows are in your sentences: The sheep are in my bed; the cows are in your bed. bed.

Subordinating ConjunctionsSubordinating Conjunctions

• Subordinating conjunctions are adverbs that act as conjunctions to form Subordinating conjunctions are adverbs that act as conjunctions to form dependent clauses. dependent clauses.

• They can be one or more words. They can be one or more words. • They can refer to time (after, before, when, while, since, until), cause They can refer to time (after, before, when, while, since, until), cause

and effect (because, since, now that, as, in order that, so), opposition and effect (because, since, now that, as, in order that, so), opposition (although, though, even though, while), and condition (if, unless, only (although, though, even though, while), and condition (if, unless, only if, whether or not, even if, in case of). if, whether or not, even if, in case of).

• Subordinating conjunctions can turn a simple sentence or independent Subordinating conjunctions can turn a simple sentence or independent clause into a dependent clause.clause into a dependent clause.

• Examples:Examples:• The sheep climbed in my bed.The sheep climbed in my bed.• After the sheep climbed in my bed, I fell out. After the sheep climbed in my bed, I fell out. • Although the sheep climbed in my bed, I managed to sleep.Although the sheep climbed in my bed, I managed to sleep.• Because the sheep climbed in my bed, I fell out.Because the sheep climbed in my bed, I fell out.• Unless the sheep climb in my bed, I’ll be able to sleep. Unless the sheep climb in my bed, I’ll be able to sleep.

Complex SentencesComplex Sentences

• Complex sentences are a dependent clause (incomplete thought) Complex sentences are a dependent clause (incomplete thought) combined with an independent clause (complete thought). Dependent combined with an independent clause (complete thought). Dependent clauses need an independent clause to make them clear. clauses need an independent clause to make them clear.

• Example: Example: • Dependent clause: Because the sheep are in my bedDependent clause: Because the sheep are in my bed• Independent clause: I can’t sleep tonight.Independent clause: I can’t sleep tonight.• Complex sentence (with dependent clause at the front): Because the Complex sentence (with dependent clause at the front): Because the

sheep are in my bed, I can’t sleep tonight. (Notice that the sheep are in my bed, I can’t sleep tonight. (Notice that the introductory clause is followed by a comma.)introductory clause is followed by a comma.)

• Complex sentence (with dependent clause at the end): I can’t sleep Complex sentence (with dependent clause at the end): I can’t sleep tonight because the sheep are in my bed. (Notice that you don’t need tonight because the sheep are in my bed. (Notice that you don’t need the comma anymore because the dependent clause is at the end.)the comma anymore because the dependent clause is at the end.)

Final thoughts on sentencesFinal thoughts on sentences

• Make sure you start all sentences with capital Make sure you start all sentences with capital letters.letters.

• Make sure you have correct end punctuation at the Make sure you have correct end punctuation at the end of each sentence.end of each sentence.

• Make sure each sentence is a complete thought Make sure each sentence is a complete thought and not a fragment.and not a fragment.

• Make sure you capitalize proper nouns.Make sure you capitalize proper nouns.• Varying your sentence types and sentence Varying your sentence types and sentence

openings is a good way to make writing more openings is a good way to make writing more interesting for the reader. interesting for the reader.