Module 1: The Sentence
Rule 1: The Subject
The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. Can you identify the Complete Subject and the Simple Subject in these 10 examples?
1. Complete: That spiny little creature is a hedgehog.
1. Simple: That spiny little creature is a hedgehog.
2. Complete: The old, wooden bridge creaked under our weight.
2. Simple: The old, wooden bridge creaked under our weight.
3. Complete: A swarm of angry bees chased the poor dog.
3. Simple: A swarm of angry bees chased the poor dog.
4. Complete: My best friend from summer camp called me yesterday.
4. Simple: My best friend from summer camp called me yesterday.
5. Complete: Three small children played in the sandbox.
5. Simple: Three small children played in the sandbox.
6. Complete: The bright morning sun warmed the cold room.
6. Simple: The bright morning sun warmed the cold room.
7. Complete: An extremely loud noise woke the entire neighborhood.
7. Simple: An extremely loud noise woke the entire neighborhood.
8. Complete: The tall man in the black coat walked quickly.
8. Simple: The tall man in the black coat walked quickly.
9. Complete: Several rare, tropical birds escaped from the zoo.
9. Simple: Several rare, tropical birds escaped from the zoo.
10. Complete: Our new science teacher gave us a fun project.
10. Simple: Our new science teacher gave us a fun project.
📝 Notebook Writing Task
Write a complete sentence in your notebook about your favorite hobby. Underline the complete subject once, and underline the simple subject twice.
Rule 2: The Predicate
The predicate contains the action or the state of being. Identify the Complete Predicate and the Simple Predicate (Verb) below.
⚠️ Note: Words like not, never, and always are adverbs. They are never part of a verb phrase!
1. Complete: The author autographed copies of his latest book.
1. Simple (Verb): The author autographed copies of his latest book.
2. Complete: The brave firefighters rescued the kitten from the tree.
2. Simple (Verb): The brave firefighters rescued the kitten from the tree.
3. Complete: My younger sister is reading a very long novel.
3. Simple (Verb): My younger sister is reading a very long novel.
4. Complete: The heavy rain will not stop until tomorrow.
4. Simple (Verb): The heavy rain will not stop until tomorrow.
5. Complete: All the students have completed their final exams.
5. Simple (Verb): All the students have completed their final exams.
6. Complete: A beautiful rainbow appeared after the storm.
6. Simple (Verb): A beautiful rainbow appeared after the storm.
7. Complete: The talented chef baked a delicious chocolate cake.
7. Simple (Verb): The talented chef baked a delicious chocolate cake.
8. Complete: We should always wash our hands before dinner.
8. Simple (Verb): We should always wash our hands before dinner.
9. Complete: The old car might not start in this freezing weather.
9. Simple (Verb): The old car might not start in this freezing weather.
10. Complete: Everyone in the crowd cheered loudly for the hero.
10. Simple (Verb): Everyone in the crowd cheered loudly for the hero.
📝 Notebook Writing Task
Write a complete sentence describing what you did this morning. Circle the simple predicate (the main verb) and underline the complete predicate.
Rule 3: Compound Structures
Sentences can have connected subjects or connected verbs to share information efficiently. Guess the compound structure in each sentence!
1. Compound Subject: The bear and the badger hibernate in the winter.
2. Compound Verb: Kim trained hard and then worked as a camp counselor.
3. Compound Subject: Apples and oranges are my favorite healthy snacks.
4. Compound Verb: The excited dog barked and jumped at the mail carrier.
5. Compound Subject: Either my brother or my sister will pick you up from practice.
6. Compound Verb: We can study at the library or read at the local cafe.
7. Compound Subject: The principal, the teachers, and the students attended the morning assembly.
8. Compound Verb: The frightened cat scrambled up the tree and hid in the branches.
9. Compound Subject: Neither the blue shirt nor the red sweater fits me anymore.
10. Compound Verb: You should wash, dry, and put away the dishes tonight.
📝 Notebook Writing Task
Write one sentence with a compound subject (e.g., connected by 'and' or 'or') and write a second sentence with a compound verb. Make sure they are clearly labeled in your notebook!