1. The Sentence and Its Parts
Language Network
The Sentence and Its Parts

2. The Sentence and Its Parts
Kinds of Sentences
Here’s the Idea
Why It Matters
Practice and Apply

3. Here’s the Idea
Sentence
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.

4. Here’s the Idea
A sentence can be used to make a statement, ask a question, make a request, or show strong feeling.

5. A declarative sentence makes a statement.
Here’s the Idea
A declarative sentence makes a statement.

6. A declarative sentence always ends with a period.
Here’s the Idea
A declarative sentence always ends with a period.
I see something weird in that tree.
It looks like a gray basketball.

7. An interrogative sentence asks a question.
Here’s the Idea
An interrogative sentence asks a question.

8. An interrogative sentence always ends with a question mark.
Here’s the Idea
An interrogative sentence always ends with a question mark.
What do you think it is?
Is it a hornet’s nest?

9. An imperative sentence tells or asks someone to do something.
Here’s the Idea
An imperative sentence tells or asks someone to do something.

10. Please don’t get too close to it.
Here’s the Idea
An imperative sentence makes a request or gives a command. It usually ends with a period, but it may end with an exclamation point.
Please don’t get too close to it.
Be careful!

11. An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling.
Here’s the Idea
An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling.

12. An exclamatory sentence always ends with an exclamation point.
Here’s the Idea
An exclamatory sentence always ends with an exclamation point.
I see hornets flying out!
I’m getting out of here!

13. Why It Matters
LITERARY MODEL
INTERROGATIVE
Scrooge: Come, come, what is it you want? Don’t waste all day, Nephew.
Fred: I only want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Uncle. Don’t be cross.
—Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
IMPERATIVE
DECLARATIVE

14. Practice and Apply
Identify the following sentence as declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.
Do you know whose idea it was to plant cherry trees in Washington, D.C.? 1.

15. Writer Elizabeth Scidmore came up with the idea. 2.
Practice and Apply
Identify the following sentence as declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.
Writer Elizabeth Scidmore came up with the idea. 2.

16. You would love Washington in the spring! 3.
Practice and Apply
Identify the following sentence as declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.
You would love Washington in the spring! 3.

17. The Sentence and Its Parts
Fragments and Run-Ons
Here’s the Idea
Fragments
Run-On Sentences
Why It Matters
Practice and Apply

18. Here’s the Idea
Sentence fragments and run-on sentences are writing errors that can make your writing difficult to understand.

19. Here’s the Idea
Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment is part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence.

20. Build traditional homes called longhouses.
Here’s the Idea
A sentence fragment might be missing a subject. To correct it, add a subject.
They build
Build traditional homes called longhouses.
ADD A SUBJECT

21. The Rungus people in Malaysia. live in Malaysia.
Here’s the Idea
A sentence fragment might be missing a predicate. To correct it, add a predicate.
The Rungus people in Malaysia.
live in Malaysia.
ADD A PREDICATE

22. Here’s the Idea
Run-On Sentence
A run-on sentence is two or more sentences written as though they were a single sentence.

23. What is wrong with this sentence?
Here’s the Idea
What is wrong with this sentence?
The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of tree bark.
The passage is actually two sentences written incorrectly as one.

24. Here’s the Idea
Combine two sentences using a conjunction. Be sure to use a comma before the conjunction.
STUDENT MODEL
DRAFT
The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of tree bark.
STUDENT MODEL
REVISION
The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, and the walls are made of tree bark.

25. Divide a run-on into two complete sentences.
Here’s the Idea
Divide a run-on into two complete sentences.
STUDENT MODEL
DRAFT
The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of bark.
STUDENT MODEL
REVISION
The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves. The walls are made of tree bark.

26. If you fix these problems, your writing will read more clearly.
Why It Matters
Fragments and run-on sentences can make your writing confusing and difficult to read.
If you fix these problems, your writing will read more clearly.

27. Rewrite the following fragment as a complete sentence.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the following fragment as a complete sentence.
Noodle dishes popular in Chinese cuisine. 4.

28. Rewrite the following fragment as a complete sentence.
Practice and Apply
Rewrite the following fragment as a complete sentence.
Bejing duck a famous dish. 5.

29. Correct the following run-on sentence.
Practice and Apply
Correct the following run-on sentence.
This meal takes a long time to prepare, it is served in three courses. 6.

30. Correct the following run-on sentence.
Practice and Apply
Correct the following run-on sentence.
Many Shanghai dishes feature seafood, the city is close to the sea. 7.