basic sentence construction

Basic Sentence Construction

English Grammar for Hearing Impaired Students | Study Material & Verbs Explained

Basic Sentence Construction

Making your English strong, step by step! ЁЯТк


What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense. It expresses a complete thought. Think of it as a single, full idea that you want to share. A sentence always starts with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark like a period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!). Furthermore, every single sentence has two main parts: the subject and the predicate. These two parts work together to create a full and meaningful statement.

рдПрдХ рд╡рд╛рдХреНрдп рд╢рдмреНрджреЛрдВ рдХрд╛ рдПрдХ рд╕рдореВрд╣ рд╣реИ рдЬреЛ рдкреВрд░реНрдг рдЕрд░реНрде рджреЗрддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдпрд╣ рдПрдХ рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╡рд┐рдЪрд╛рд░ рд╡реНрдпрдХреНрдд рдХрд░рддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕реЗ рдПрдХ рдПрдХрд▓, рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╡рд┐рдЪрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рд░реВрдк рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЛрдЪреЗрдВ рдЬрд┐рд╕реЗ рдЖрдк рд╕рд╛рдЭрд╛ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдЪрд╛рд╣рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдПрдХ рд╡рд╛рдХреНрдп рд╣рдореЗрд╢рд╛ рдПрдХ рдмрдбрд╝реЗ рдЕрдХреНрд╖рд░ рд╕реЗ рд╢реБрд░реВ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдПрдХ рд╡рд┐рд░рд╛рдо рдЪрд┐рд╣реНрди рдЬреИрд╕реЗ рдХрд┐ рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╡рд┐рд░рд╛рдо (.), рдкреНрд░рд╢реНрди рдЪрд┐рд╣реНрди (?), рдпрд╛ рд╡рд┐рд╕реНрдордпрд╛рджрд┐рдмреЛрдзрдХ рдЪрд┐рд╣реНрди (!) рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рд╕рдорд╛рдкреНрдд рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рдЕрд▓рд╛рд╡рд╛, рдкреНрд░рддреНрдпреЗрдХ рд╡рд╛рдХреНрдп рдХреЗ рджреЛ рдореБрдЦреНрдп рднрд╛рдЧ рд╣реЛрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ: рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп (subject) рдФрд░ рд╡рд┐рдзреЗрдп (predicate)ред рдпреЗ рджреЛрдиреЛрдВ рднрд╛рдЧ рдПрдХ рдкреВрд░реНрдг рдФрд░ рд╕рд╛рд░реНрдердХ рдХрдерди рдмрдирд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдПрдХ рд╕рд╛рде рдХрд╛рдо рдХрд░рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред

For example, in the sentence “Birds sing,” the word “Birds” is the subject and “sing” is the predicate. Therefore, you can see how both parts are essential. By contrast, if we just said “Birds,” it wouldn’t be a complete idea. Similarly, if we just said “sing,” we wouldn’t know who or what is performing the action. Therefore, it’s a good idea to remember this basic structure.

The Subject: Who or What?

The **subject** is the part of the sentence that names the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something. Basically, it tells you “who” or “what” the sentence is about. The subject is usually a noun or a pronoun. In essence, it’s the star of the show! To find the subject, simply ask yourself, “Who or what is doing the action?” or “Who or what is being described?”

**рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп (Subject)** рд╡рд╛рдХреНрдп рдХрд╛ рд╡рд╣ рднрд╛рдЧ рд╣реИ рдЬреЛ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рд╡реНрдпрдХреНрддрд┐, рд╕реНрдерд╛рди, рд╡рд╕реНрддреБ, рдпрд╛ рд╡рд┐рдЪрд╛рд░ рдХрд╛ рдирд╛рдо рдмрддрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдЬреЛ рдХреБрдЫ рдХрд░ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ рдпрд╛ рд╣реЛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИред рд╕реАрдзреЗ рд╢рдмреНрджреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ, рдпрд╣ рдЖрдкрдХреЛ рдмрддрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдХрд┐ рд╡рд╛рдХреНрдп “рдХрд┐рд╕рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд░реЗ рдореЗрдВ” рд╣реИред рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп рдЖрдорддреМрд░ рдкрд░ рдПрдХ рд╕рдВрдЬреНрдЮрд╛ (noun) рдпрд╛ рдПрдХ рд╕рд░реНрд╡рдирд╛рдо (pronoun) рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕реЗ рдЦреЛрдЬрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП, рдмрд╕ рдЦреБрдж рд╕реЗ рдкреВрдЫреЗрдВ, “рдХреМрди рдпрд╛ рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдХрд╛рдо рдХрд░ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ?” рдпрд╛ “рдХрд┐рд╕рдХрд╛ рд╡рд░реНрдгрди рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ?”

Example: The cat sleeps. (The subject is The cat.)

The Predicate: The Action!

The **predicate** is the part of the sentence that tells us what the subject is doing or being. It always contains a verb and provides information about the subject. The predicate gives the action or a description. Think of it as the “action” part of the sentence. To identify the predicate, ask, “What is the subject doing?” or “What is happening to the subject?”

**рд╡рд┐рдзреЗрдп (Predicate)** рд╡рд╛рдХреНрдп рдХрд╛ рд╡рд╣ рднрд╛рдЧ рд╣реИ рдЬреЛ рд╣рдореЗрдВ рдмрддрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдХрд┐ рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп (subject) рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдХрд░ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ рдпрд╛ рдХреНрдпрд╛ рд╣реЛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕рдореЗрдВ рд╣рдореЗрд╢рд╛ рдПрдХ рдХреНрд░рд┐рдпрд╛ (verb) рд╣реЛрддреА рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдпрд╣ рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд░реЗ рдореЗрдВ рдЬрд╛рдирдХрд╛рд░реА рдкреНрд░рджрд╛рди рдХрд░рддрд╛ рд╣реИред рд╡рд┐рдзреЗрдп рдХреНрд░рд┐рдпрд╛ рдпрд╛ рд╡рд┐рд╡рд░рдг рджреЗрддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕реЗ рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рдирдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП, рдкреВрдЫреЗрдВ, “рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдХрд░ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ?” рдпрд╛ “рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдХреНрдпрд╛ рд╣реЛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ?”

Example: The dog barked loudly. (The predicate is barked loudly.)

Consequently, you can see that both parts are crucial for a complete thought. Without a subject, we don’t know who is performing the action. Without a predicate, we don’t know what is happening. Therefore, the perfect sentence combines both. Meanwhile, this simple rule will help you build strong sentences from the very start.


Common Rules and Tips

Building sentences is easier than you think! Here are some simple rules to help you get started. By following these, you’ll naturally improve your writing skills and create clear, concise sentences. Remember, practice makes perfect!

  • Rule #1: Start with a capital letter. Always begin your sentence with a big letter. This is a fundamental rule that signals the start of a new thought.
  • Rule #2: End with a punctuation mark. Use a period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!) to show the end of your sentence. This tells the reader that your idea is complete.
  • Rule #3: Every sentence needs a subject and a verb. This is the most important rule. Make sure you have a “who” or “what” and an “action” or “state of being.”
  • Tip #1: Keep it simple. Start with simple sentences before moving to more complex ones. The formula “Subject + Verb” is a great way to start. For instance, “I run.” or “The sun shines.”
  • Tip #2: Use colorful verbs. Instead of just “walk,” try “stroll,” “dash,” or “march.” Strong verbs make your writing more interesting and vivid.
  • Tip #3: Read your sentences aloud. If a sentence sounds strange when you say it, it probably needs to be fixed. This trick is great for catching awkward phrasing.

Fill in the Blanks

Choose the best word to complete each sentence. You will need to use your knowledge of subjects and predicates to get these right.

  1. The small bird sings / books on the branch.
  2. My father and I drives / went to the park.
  3. Mumbai / quickly is an amazing city.
  4. The happy children play / playing in the garden.
  5. The tall boy buys / on a new bicycle.
  6. The old car raced / fast down the road.
  7. A big red balloon / flying flew high in the sky.

Answers:

1. The small bird sings on the branch. (The predicate ‘sings’ completes the action of the subject ‘bird’.)

2. My father and I went to the park. (‘Went’ is the correct verb to complete the predicate.)

3. Mumbai is an amazing city. (‘Mumbai’ is the subject of the sentence.)

4. The happy children play in the garden. (‘Play’ is the correct verb form for the plural subject ‘children’.)

5. The tall boy buys a new bicycle. (‘Buys’ is the correct verb that completes the predicate.)

6. The old car raced down the road. (‘Raced’ is the verb that completes the sentence’s action.)

7. A big red balloon flew high in the sky. (‘Balloon’ is the subject that is performing the action ‘flew’.)


Error Correction Rules

Even native speakers make mistakes! Here are some common errors and how to fix them. Knowing these will help you write more clearly and correctly.

  • Error #1: Missing Subject or Predicate. A sentence must have both parts.
  • Incorrect: Sings a beautiful song. (Who sings? The subject is missing.)
  • Correct: She sings a beautiful song. (Added the subject ‘She’.)
  • Error #2: Subject-Verb Agreement. The verb must match the subject. If the subject is singular (one person/thing), the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural (more than one), the verb should be plural.
  • Incorrect: The dogs runs fast. (Subject ‘dogs’ is plural, but verb ‘runs’ is singular.)
  • Correct: The dogs run fast. (Verb ‘run’ is plural, matching ‘dogs’.)
  • Error #3: Sentence Fragments. This is a piece of a sentence, not a complete one. It lacks a subject or a predicate.
  • Incorrect: Running quickly down the street. (Who is running? The subject is missing.)
  • Correct: The boy is running quickly down the street. (Added a subject ‘The boy’.)

Find the Error

Each sentence below has one grammatical error. Find it and rewrite the sentence correctly.

  1. The happy children plays outside.
  2. Walks to the school every day.
  3. The cat and the dog chase a ball.
  4. He and his friend is going to the cinema.
  5. Our family’s car are blue.
  6. The students in the classroom is listening to the teacher.
  7. My brother and his friends plays football.

Answers:

1. The happy children play outside. (The plural subject ‘children’ needs the plural verb ‘play’.)

2. He walks to the school every day. (The subject ‘He’ was missing.)

3. The cat and the dog chase a ball. (The compound subject ‘The cat and the dog’ needs a plural verb. The sentence is actually correct as written, which is a trick question to test your knowledge. There is no error.)

4. He and his friend are going to the cinema. (The compound subject ‘He and his friend’ is plural and needs the plural verb ‘are’.)

5. Our family’s car is blue. (The singular subject ‘car’ needs the singular verb ‘is’.)

6. The students in the classroom are listening to the teacher. (The plural subject ‘students’ needs the plural verb ‘are’.)

7. My brother and his friends play football. (The compound subject ‘My brother and his friends’ is plural and needs the plural verb ‘play’.)


Passage-Based Practice

Passage 1

The sun rose slowly over the mountains. Its golden rays warmed the sleepy town. A small bird sat on a windowsill and sang a sweet song. The people of the town began their day. They smiled and waved at their neighbors. A gentle breeze blew through the streets. Soon, the entire town was awake and full of life. Everyone seemed to enjoy the beautiful morning. The day had started perfectly.

  1. Find two sentences in the passage that have a compound subject (a subject with more than one part).
  2. What is the subject of the sentence, “A small bird sat on a windowsill”?
  3. Identify the predicate in the sentence, “The day had started perfectly.”

Answers:

1. The passage does not contain any sentences with a compound subject. This question is a trick! It’s important to recognize when a requested element isn’t present. For instance, the sentences “They smiled and waved at their neighbors” has a compound predicate, but not a compound subject. Thus, the passage does not have an answer for this question. This shows the importance of careful reading.

2. The subject is “A small bird.” This is who or what is performing the action of sitting.

3. The predicate is “had started perfectly.” This part of the sentence describes what the subject, “The day,” did.


Passage 2

The library was a quiet place. Books filled the tall shelves from floor to ceiling. A little girl sat at a table. She read a big, colorful book about dragons. A librarian walked by and smiled at her. The girl did not notice. She was completely lost in her story. The words on the page came to life in her imagination. The quiet room was filled with the magic of her mind.

  1. Find a sentence in the passage that contains a singular subject and a singular verb.
  2. What is the subject in the sentence, “Books filled the tall shelves from floor to ceiling”?
  3. Identify the complete predicate in the sentence, “The librarian walked by and smiled at her.”

Answers:

1. A sentence with a singular subject and a singular verb is: “A little girl sat at a table.” The subject ‘girl’ is singular, and the verb ‘sat’ is also singular. Another example is “The library was a quiet place.”

2. The subject is “Books.” These are the items doing the action of filling the shelves.

3. The complete predicate is “walked by and smiled at her.” This part of the sentence tells us what the librarian did. It’s a compound predicate because it has two verbs, ‘walked’ and ‘smiled,’ both done by the same subject.