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.
Fred: I only want to wish you a
Merry Christmas, Uncle. Don’t
be cross.
INTERROGATIVE
IMPERATIVE
DECLARATIVE
—Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Practice and Apply
Identify the following sentence as declarative,
interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.
1. Did you know that some wasps
build nests as big as beach balls?
Practice and Apply
Identify the following sentence as declarative,
interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.
2. Stay away from wasps.
Practice and Apply
Identify the following sentence as declarative,
interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.
3. Their sting is very painful!
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
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.
The Rungus people live
in Malaysia.
in Malaysia.
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
STUDENT MODEL
DRAFT
REVISION
The longhouse roof is
made of palm leaves,
the walls are made of
tree bark.
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
STUDENT MODEL
DRAFT
REVISION
The longhouse roof is
made of palm leaves,
the walls are made of
bark.
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. Twenty to 40 families in a
longhouse.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the following fragment as a
complete sentence.
5. In each apartment, a raised sleeping
and dining area.
Practice and Apply
Correct this run-on sentence.
6. Each family has its own apartment
the family shares a common living
area with other families.
Practice and Apply
Correct this run-on sentence.
7. Several families may live in a
longhouse they share many resources.