Writing the *Complete* Sentence “To write simply is as difficult as to be good.” ~W. Somerset Maugham

The Complete Sentence… A sentence is a group of words that express a complete thought or idea. It may make a statement of fact, give a command, or ask a question.

The basic complete sentence is made up of two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject contains the subject of the sentence, a noun. The predicate explains the action being performed, a verb.

Noun Examples (Person, Place, Thing) Verb Examples (Action) SUBJECT Verb Examples (Action) PREDICATE

Therefore, the complete sentence has something/someone (subject) doing something (predicate). Example: 1. The fluffy, white clouds drifted lazily overhead. 2. The boy’s bicycle was locked in the backyard.

Incomplete or “Problem” Sentences

Problem # 1: The Run-On Sentence Run-on sentences connect two or more complete sentences with no punctuation or connecting words. Example: He was the fastest runner he won every race.

Correcting the Run-On Correction # 1: Make it into two complete sentences by adding punctuation (like a period). Example: He was the fastest runner. He won every race. Correction # 2: Add a connecting word (conjunction) such as “and”, “when”, “as”, “after”, “so” etc. Example: He was the fastest runner so he won every race.

Problem # 2: The Sentence Fragment Sentence fragments do not express a complete thought or idea; they are missing either the active subject (noun) or predicate (verb). Example: Running quickly down the road.

Correcting the Fragment Correction # 1: Add the missing part of the sentence (either the active subject or the predicate). Example: She was very tired after running quickly down the road.

Joe waited for the train. Simple Sentence Why? It’s made up only of a subject, predicate and complete thought. What’s that Sentence? Joe waited for the train.

Joe waited for the train, but the train was late. Compound Sentence Why? It is made up of two independent clauses (complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction. Note: Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember if you think of the words "FAN BOYS”: For And Nor But Or Yet So What’s that Sentence? Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.

What’s that Sentence? Complex Sentence Why? A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence. What’s that Sentence? While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.

Okay, so who gives a cheese? I really enjoyed this book. It was so good. In fact, I could hardly put it down. The author included a lot of detail about pioneer life. The whole story seemed very real. Every character was believable. Each turn in the plot held me spellbound. I didn’t expect to enjoy this book. However, I sure did! I really enjoyed this book. It was so good I could hardly put it down. The author included a lot of detail about pioneer life which really made the story come alive. Every character was believable; every turn in the plot held me spellbound. I didn’t expect to enjoy this book, but I sure did!

Knowing different forms of sentences + practice = higher level writing = happy teacher = better ability to express what you have to say = appear more intelligent and articulate