Writing Simple Sentences

Defining Simple Sentences A simple sentence is made up of a single complete subject and the complete verb(s) that tell what the subject does, did, or will do.

Complete Subjects She called me yesterday. A complete subject is the simple subject of the sentence—a noun or a pronoun that tells who or what is being talked about—and all of the words that describe it. She called me yesterday. (She is both the simple subject and the complete subject of this sentence.) The old gray mare is in the pasture. (The simple subject of this sentence is mare; the complete subject is the old gray mare.)

Compound Subjects A compound subject consists of two or more simple subjects joined with and or or. A compound subject is still considered a single complete subject. My uncle David, Harold, and Harold’s six-year-old twin brothers all went to the movie together. (This sentence has three simple subjects—David, Harold, and brothers—but the phrase My uncle David, Harold, and Harold’s six-year-old twin brothers makes up a single complete subject.)

(The simple and complete subject, you, is understood.) Sometimes the subject of a sentence is understood rather than directly stated. Stop! (The simple and complete subject, you, is understood.)

Complete Verbs The mare is in the pasture. A complete verb is made up of a single main verb and all of the helping verbs that accompany it. The mare is in the pasture. (The main verb, which is also the complete verb in this sentence, is is.) She has been calling me every day for a week. (The main verb is calling, and the helping verbs are has and been, so the complete verb is has been calling.)

Compound Verbs Verbs can be compound, too. Two or more complete verbs joined with and or or that refer to the same subject are considered a compound verb. They have planned the wedding and will spend their honeymoon in Key West. (The main verbs in this sentence are planned and spend, and the complete verbs are have planned and will spend. This sentence contains a compound verb because both verbs explain what the subject, they, did.)

A simple sentence can be very simple, containing only a simple subject and a main verb, or it can contain a compound subject or a compound verb (or both). I waited. The grizzled old doctor and his coughing, sputtering car made their way to the office. Tony sat on the bench and let out a sigh. Dora and Michael bought sandwiches and took a walk in the park.

Finding the Subject(s) The subject is the topic of the sentence, who or what is taking an action or being talked about. Class starts early in the morning. I am glad to be at school.

Subjects can be nouns or pronouns. A noun is a word that names a person, place or thing: Abdullah, Lincoln University, classrooms… A pronoun is a word that stands for a noun: he, it, they … he, it, they …

Subjects, like nouns, can be singular or plural. This class is fun. My classes are fun. My teachers and my assignments are fun. singular plural Plural (compound)

Finding the Verb(s) All sentences have at least one verb. The verb explains what the subject is doing (action verb) or connects the subject to words that describe it (linking verb). That student works hard. That student is industrious. Action verb Linking verb

Many verbs are made up of more than one word. I love grammar. Everyone should love grammar. Soon you will love grammar too. We are loving it already. I have loved grammar all my life. Main verb Helping verbs

Remember Two Important Things about Prepositional Phrases: A prepositional phrase doesn’t make sense by itself, so it can’t be a complete sentence. In the front row. The student in the front row is smart. fragment sentence

The subject of a sentence will never be found inside a prepositional phrase. Each student in this room is intelligent. All students in this room are intelligent. subjects prepositional phrases

Going to the mall is my favorite pastime. Word of caution: At times, verb forms (usually ending in –ing) can be the subject of a sentence. I am going to the mall. Going to the mall is my favorite pastime. Verb Subject! Verb