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

2. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics
Parts of a Sentence
A group of words must pass three tests in order to be called a sentence:
It must contain a subject, which tells you who or what the sentence is about.
Gabriella lives in Manhattan.
It must contain a predicate, which tells you what the subject is or does.
Gabriella lives in Manhattan.
It must express a complete thought.
Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics
Commas with Compounds
(Continued)
There are several guidelines for using commas in a compound sentence:
DO 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.
Copyright © 2002 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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

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

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

13. Pronouns Pronouns can replace nouns, making writing less repetitive.
CHAPTER 1: Sentence Basics
Pronouns
(Continued)
Pronouns can replace nouns, making writing less repetitive.
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.
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.

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

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

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