Simple Sentence Notes
Key Rule: A simple sentence (also called an independent clause) contains a subject and a predicate that work together to form a complete thought begins with a capital letter and ends with an endmark.
- A fragment results when there is no subject or verb.
- A run-on sentence contains two or more parts that can stand alone in separate sentences but instead are combined into one sentence incorrectly.
What is a subject?
A subject is the word or group of words that names the person, place, or thing that performs the action or is described. The subject is the "do-er" of the action (or the verb/predicate).
Examples:
What is a verb (predicate)?
The verb tells what the subject does, what is done to the subject, or what the condition of the subject is.
Examples:
- A fragment results when there is no subject or verb.
- A run-on sentence contains two or more parts that can stand alone in separate sentences but instead are combined into one sentence incorrectly.
What is a subject?
A subject is the word or group of words that names the person, place, or thing that performs the action or is described. The subject is the "do-er" of the action (or the verb/predicate).
Examples:
- The cat is hungry. (who or what is hungry? The cat).
- Mary broke her dish. (who or what broke the dish? Mary).
What is a verb (predicate)?
The verb tells what the subject does, what is done to the subject, or what the condition of the subject is.
Examples:
- My cat won a ribbon. (won tells what the cat did)
- The award was given in a big ceremony. (was given explains what was done with the award)
- Matt is tired. (is tells something about the condition of Matt by linking the subject to Matt)
SIMPLE vs. COMPLETE SUBJECTS AND PREDICATES
Simple Subject – The simple subject is the one word, without any modifiers or description, that the sentence is about. Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The simple subject is dog.
Complete Subject – The person, place or thing that the sentence is about, including any adjectives or modifiers added to it. Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The complete subject is: The big fluffy dog.
Simple Predicate – The simple predicate is the verb that describes the subject’s action.
Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The simple predicate is ran.
Complete Predicate – The entire part of the sentence telling what the subject is doing or being.
Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The complete predicate is: ran to the fire hydrant.
Simple Subject – The simple subject is the one word, without any modifiers or description, that the sentence is about. Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The simple subject is dog.
Complete Subject – The person, place or thing that the sentence is about, including any adjectives or modifiers added to it. Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The complete subject is: The big fluffy dog.
Simple Predicate – The simple predicate is the verb that describes the subject’s action.
Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The simple predicate is ran.
Complete Predicate – The entire part of the sentence telling what the subject is doing or being.
Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The complete predicate is: ran to the fire hydrant.
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant.
How do I determine if something is a sentence or not?
Use the four step sentence test. If you can locate a simple subject, a simple predicate, and it is a complete thought, it is a sentence!
1. Identify the do-er (simple subject).
2. Identify the verb (simple predicate).
3. Is it a complete thought? (any information missing)
4. Is it a sentence?
Example:
He ran.
Complete the four step sentence test:
1. Identify the do-er (simple subject) (He)
2. Identify the verb (simple predicate) (ran)
3. Is it a complete thought? Yes
4. Is it a sentence? Yes
Use the four step sentence test. If you can locate a simple subject, a simple predicate, and it is a complete thought, it is a sentence!
1. Identify the do-er (simple subject).
2. Identify the verb (simple predicate).
3. Is it a complete thought? (any information missing)
4. Is it a sentence?
Example:
He ran.
Complete the four step sentence test:
1. Identify the do-er (simple subject) (He)
2. Identify the verb (simple predicate) (ran)
3. Is it a complete thought? Yes
4. Is it a sentence? Yes
Activities to practice:
Some students say 7th grade is hard, others say it is easy. If you spend the time to practice the skills we are learning, I bet you will be one to say that it is EASY!
Activity 1: Read through the Simple Sentence (Subject/Predicate) Notes above. Copy these notes into your notes (either handwrite them into your Communication Arts Notebook (not your Writer's Notebook), or create a new document in Google Docs and copy/paste these notes there. If you choose to take your notes in Google Docs, make sure that you name your document "Simple Sentence Notes" so you can easily refer back to them.
Activity 2:
Directions: Watch the Schoolhouse Rock video about subjects and predicates. While you are watching keep a list (write it down!) of the things that Mr. Morton does. Then, do you best to underline the simple predicate (verb) in each line of your list.
Activity 3:
Subject/Predicate Rags to Riches Game (It is like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"): http://www.quia.com/rr/36765.html
Directions: Click on the link above and play the game. Keep track of your highest score/earnings. Then, challenge yourself to play again for homework and to beat your best score! :)
Subject/Predicate Rags to Riches Game (It is like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"): http://www.quia.com/rr/36765.html
Directions: Click on the link above and play the game. Keep track of your highest score/earnings. Then, challenge yourself to play again for homework and to beat your best score! :)
Activity 4:
Watch this video on Teacher Tube: http://www.teachertube.com/video/hey-this-is-the-verb-song-142037
Directions: While watching the Verb Song, take notes on the three kinds of verbs- Action Verbs, Linking Verbs, Helping Verbs. In your notes, include the function of each verb, and provide examples of words for each type of verb.
Watch this video on Teacher Tube: http://www.teachertube.com/video/hey-this-is-the-verb-song-142037
Directions: While watching the Verb Song, take notes on the three kinds of verbs- Action Verbs, Linking Verbs, Helping Verbs. In your notes, include the function of each verb, and provide examples of words for each type of verb.
Activity 5:
Directions: Access the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/a/hershey.k12.pa.us/document/d/1u2dURt4xy6AiyOV2RNd61Nf5rMegL571lBVpJDKi5jQ/edit?usp=sharing
Then, make a copy of the Doc to add to your own Comm. Arts 2015-16 folder in Google Drive. Follow the instructions in the Google Doc to appropriately identify the sentence parts.
Directions: Access the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/a/hershey.k12.pa.us/document/d/1u2dURt4xy6AiyOV2RNd61Nf5rMegL571lBVpJDKi5jQ/edit?usp=sharing
Then, make a copy of the Doc to add to your own Comm. Arts 2015-16 folder in Google Drive. Follow the instructions in the Google Doc to appropriately identify the sentence parts.
Activity 6
Fling the Teacher Subject/Predicate game (does not work on iPad. You must play on a computer!) http://www.cccs.k12.in.us/userfiles/10/Subject%20and%20Predicate.swf
Fling the Teacher Subject/Predicate game (does not work on iPad. You must play on a computer!) http://www.cccs.k12.in.us/userfiles/10/Subject%20and%20Predicate.swf