CHAPTER 1 Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

subjectIt must contain a subject, which tells you who or what the sentence is about. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics sentence A group of words must pass three tests in order to be called a sentence: predicateIt must contain a predicate, which tells you what the subject is or does. complete thoughtIt must express a complete thought. Gabriella lives in Manhattan.

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. action verbAn action verb describes the action in a sentence. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics verbs Two types of verbs make up all sentences: linking verbA linking verb links the subject of the sentence to words that describe or rename it. dance drive write appear be become is seem were

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. command youThe subject of a command is always understood to be you. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics It can be hard to find the subject and verb in certain types of sentences: questionIn a question, the verb comes before the subject. To find the subject and verb, rewrite the question as a statement. Give me that book. Verb Verb Danielle was home. Subject Verb Subject Verb Was Danielle home? [You] Subject Subject

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. here or there sentence HerethereIn a here or there sentence, the verb also comes before the subject. Here or there is never the subject. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics It can be hard to find the subject and verb in certain types of sentences: My afternoon goes there. Subject Verb Subject Verb There goes my afternoon. (Continued)

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Every sentence must start with a capital letter. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics There are two important rules for writing a sentence correctly: Every sentence must end with a punctuation mark (a period, question mark, or exclamation point). The neighbors are getting loud. The neighbors are making such a racket!

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Compound subject CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics A sentence can have more than one subject or more than one verb (or both at once): Compound verb Danielle and Darryl were home. The boxes have been packed, labeled, and shipped.

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. DON’TDON’T separate a subject from a predicate with a comma. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics There are several guidelines for using commas in a compound sentence: DON’TDON’T put a comma between two parts of a compound subject or verb. The woman riding the brown horse, is my sister. Jamil, and Katy got engaged last week.

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics There are several guidelines for using commas in a compound sentence: DODO use a comma when a compound has three or more subjects or verbs. My boss, her assistant, and I arrived early for the meeting. This morning she jogged three miles, lifted weights, and stretched. (Continued)

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. plural nounA plural noun names more than one person, place, thing, or idea. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics noun A noun is a word that labels a person, place, thing, or idea. proper nounA proper noun names a specific person, place, thing, or idea and begins with a capital letter. The tigers are hungry. The tiger is named Shep.

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. possessive noun ’ -sA possessive noun shows ownership. An apostrophe (’)and an -s are used to form the possessive. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics noun A noun is a word that labels a person, place, thing, or idea. Shep’s home is in northeast Asia. Tigers’ main food source is wild pig. (Continued)

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. A pronoun may be a subject CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics Pronouns Pronouns can replace nouns, making writing less repetitive. I, I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who me, you, him, her, it, us, them, whom A possessive pronoun may stand alone A pronoun may be an object mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs, whose my, your, his, her, its, our, their, whose A possessive pronoun may accompany a noun

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. In compounds with a noun and a pronoun, it can be hard to figure out whether to use a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. To make it easier, cross out the noun. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics Pronouns Pronouns can replace nouns, making writing less repetitive. (Continued) Kyoko and (I, me) went to a concert. (I, me) went to a concert. Kyoko and I went to a concert.

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Contractions use apostrophes. Possessive pronouns do not. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics homonyms Soundalike words, called homonyms, can cause confusion about when to use apostrophes. Possessive nouns use apostrophes. Possessive pronouns do not. You’re out of your mind. The robot’s metal hand reached out and scratched its head.

Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Never use an apostrophe to form a plural noun (even if it sounds like a possessive noun). CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics homonyms Soundalike words, called homonyms, can cause confusion about when to use apostrophes. The coal miners went out on strike and the steelworkers’ union voted to join them. (Continued)

THEEND THE END Chapter Review QuizGED Practice Quiz Practice the skills you learned in this chapter by taking the Chapter Review Quiz or the GED Practice Quiz. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.