Study Guide on Sentences
Sentence or Sentence Fragment?


A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It tells who or what the sentence is
about AND tells what happens.
o Example: Ann pointed to the girl with the curly hair.
Who
What happens
Fragment means “part”, so a sentence fragment is just a part of a sentence. It is missing either the
who/what or where/when part.
o Example: Played hopscotch.
 This fragment tells what happens, but not WHO the sentence is about.
Types of Sentences
Type
Declarative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
Imperative
Definition
Punctuation
Tells something, makes a
statement
Asks a question
Ends with a period (.)
Shows strong feeling or emotion
Tells someone to do something.
Gives a command.
Ends with an exclamation point (!)
Ends with a period (.)
Ends with a question mark (?)
Compound Sentences
 A compound sentence contains 2 sentences joined by a comma (,) AND a conjunction (“and,” “or,” or
“but”).
o Example: Bats fly like birds, but they are really mammals.
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Subjects and Predicates
 The subject part of a sentence tells whom or what the sentence is about.
o The simple subject is the main word of the subject.
 Example: My younger sister likes Grandfather’s stories.
 Simple subject = “sister” (the main word that tells exactly whom the sentence is
about)
 The predicate part of a sentence tells what the subject is or does (the action).
o The simple predicate is the main word of the predicate.
 Example: My younger sister likes Grandfather’s stories.
 Simple predicate = “likes” (the main word that tells exactly what the subject
does).
Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence needs punctuation! It is a loooong sentence which can be fixed by either:
o Adding punctuation to make 2 sentences; or,
o Adding punctuation and a conjunction to make a compound sentence
o Example of a run-on sentence: Some living things are very tiny you need a microscope to see
them.
 Corrections:
 Some things are very tiny. You need a microscope to see them.
 Some things are very tiny, and you need a microscope to see them.