Understanding Sentence Structure: Definitions and Examples

Sentence Structure

Sentence: is a word or word group that contains a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought. Ex. Tony the outstanding baseball player on the team, is my brother.

Fragment: Is a word or word group that is capitalized and punctuated as a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb. Ex. Tony the outstanding baseball player on the team.

Complete Subject: Consists of the simple subject and any words that modify the simple subject. Ex. The flowers in the vase are wilted.

Complete Predicate: Consists of the verb and all the words that modify the verb and complete its meaning. Ex. She has pasted the notice.

Understood Subject: In a request or a command, the subject is usually not stated. In such sentences, you is the understood subject. Ex. (You) Take this to the principal's office, please.

Compound Subjects: consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a conjunction and that have the same verb. Ex. Either the cups or the glasses go in that cupboard.

Complements: Is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a verb. Ex. We were feeling very tired. (Adjective)

Subject complement: Is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a linking verb and identifies or modifies the subject. Ex. Brandon is a gifted athlete.

Predicate nominative: Is a word or word group that is in the predicate and that identifies the subject or refers to it. Ex. Landon is my brother.

Predicate adjective: Is an adjective that is in the predicate and that modifies the subject of a sentence or a clause. Ex. He is becoming stronger.

Direct Object: Is a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what receives the action of a transitive verb or shows the result of the action. Ex. I gave the books to Harrison. (Gave what? Books.)

Indirect Object: Is a noun, pronoun, or word group that often appears in sentences containing direct objects. It tells to whom or to what the action of the verb is done. Ex. Hand her the clean sheets, please (Hands the sheets to whom? Her)

Declarative sentence: Makes a statement and ends with a period. Ex. I wonder how the fans will react to our victory.

Imperative sentence: Gives a command or makes a request. Most end with a period and a strong command ends with an exclamation point. Ex. Please tell the coach that I'll be a little late. Look at that score!

Interrogative sentence: Asks a question and ends with a question mark. Ex. What time is it?

Exclamatory sentence: Shows excitement or expresses strong feeling and ends with an exclamation point. Ex. We finally beat the Cougars!