Unit 2 Sentences: Lessons 12-17

Identifying types of sentences Sentences can be defined by type. A declarative sentence makes a statement. It is followed by a period. EXAMPLE: Our band is called Coldplay. An interrogative sentence asks a question. It is followed by an question mark. EXAMPLE: Why did you choose such a strange colour? An imperative sentence expresses a command or request. It is followed by a period. EXAMPLE: Finish your work. An exclamatory sentence expresses surprise or strong emotion. It is followed by an exclamation mark. EXAMPLE: What a great concert! Coldplay rocks!

Natural order and inverted order sentences When the subject of a sentence comes before the verb, the sentence is in natural order. EXAMPLES: The soldier ran over the hill. Rosa does love pizza. The keys are here. When the verb or part of the verb comes before the subject, the sentence is in the inverted order. Most questions are in the inverted order, so are sentences that begin with here is, here are, there is or there are. Writers sometimes use inverted order to create an effect or to change the emphasis in a sentence. EXAMPLES: Over the hill ran the soldier. Does Rosa like pizza? Here are the keys.

{Activity} Write two inverted-order sentences of your own.

Subjects and predicates Every sentence has two main parts, a complete subject and a complete predicate. The complete subject includes all the words that tell who or what the sentence is about, including a noun or pronoun. EXAMPLES: The corner store rents videos. The plastic moose wallet reminds me of home.

The complete predicate includes all the words that state the action or condition of the subject, including a verb. EXAMPLES: The corner store rents videos. The plastic moose wallet reminds me of home. {Activity} Add words to the subject and/or the predicate to expand the sentences that follow. Then draw a vertical line between the complete subject and the complete predicate in each sentence. The thunder roared. My stomach growled. The car sped.

The simple subject of a sentence is the main noun or pronoun in the complete subject. All other words in the complete subject modify or describe the simple subject. EXAMPLE: A friend of Ronny’s dyed his hair blond. In commands, the subject is usually not stated, but you is the implied subject. EXAMPLE: (You) Let me see.

The simple predicate of a sentence is a verb within the complete predicate. The simple predicate may be a one-word verb or a verb of more than one word. EXAMPLES: That guy dyed his hair blond. He will wash it out tomorrow. Sometimes the simple subject or predicate is also the complete subject or predicate. Julian dyed his hair blond. My mother grinned.

{Activity} Add words to the simple subject and the simple predicate given below. Draw a vertical line between the complete subject and the complete predicate in your finished sentences. Grandmother skated. Children sneezed. Rodents gnawed.

Compound subjects and predicates A compound subject is made up of two or more simple subjects, usually joined together by and. EXAMPLE: Sam and Harry scored high on the test. A compound predicate is made up of two or more simple predicates, usually joined together by and. EXAMPLE: Maddy turned and ran. {Activity} Write one sentence containing compound subjects, and one sentence containing compound predicates.

Direct objects The direct object tells who or what receives the action of the verb. The direct object is a noun or a pronoun that follows an action verb. EXAMPLES: Kiwi fruit contains vitamin C. Where did you put my glasses? {Activity} Write five sentences containing direct objects. Circle the direct object in each sentence.

Indirect objects The indirect object is the noun that tells to whom or for whom an action is done. The indirect object is always between the action verb and the direct object. Action Indirect Direct Verb Object Object EXAMPLE: The sailor threw Eleanor a lifeline. The indirect object can be replaced by a phrase beginning with to or for, placed after the direct object. This is a useful way to test whether a word is functioning as an indirect object. EXAMPLE: The sailor threw a lifeline to Eleanor.

{Activity) Identify the underlined words as DO (direct object) or IO (indirect object). My cat bit me on the finger. You promised your little brother a day in the park. Toss me a clean towel, please. Did you make your guests any hors d’oeurves? The strange noise woke the whole neighbourhood.