Grammar Basics
This group of words expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.
A sentence
This part of speech names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Noun
Identify the action verb: “The students revised their essays.”
revised
This group of related words does not contain both a subject and a verb and functions as a single part of speech.
A phrase
This sentence structure contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses.
Simple
This sentence part tells whom or what the sentence is about.
The Subject
This part of speech takes the place of a noun.
Pronoun
Identify the linking verb: “The classroom seems peaceful.”
seems
This group of related words contains both a subject and a verb.
A clause
Classify: “The students studied, and the teacher prepared the review.”
Compound—two independent clauses, no dependent clauses
This sentence part says something about the subject.
The predicate
This part of speech modifies a noun or pronoun and answers questions such as “What kind?” or “How many?”
Adjective
Identify the helping verb and main verb: “The students have completed their assignments.”
Helping verb: have; main verb: completed
Classify each group as a phrase or clause: (1) “under the desk” (2) “because the bell rang.”
1. Phrase; 2. Clause
Classify: “Because the students studied, they felt prepared.”
Complex—one independent clause and one dependent clause
Identify the complete subject: “The dedicated students in our class studied carefully.”
The dedicated students in our class
This part of speech modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
Adverb
Identify the part of speech of each bold word: “Wow! The students worked quietly during class.”
Wow: interjection; quietly: adverb; during: preposition
Identify the dependent clause: “Although the assignment was difficult, Elena finished it.”
Although the assignment was difficult
Classify: “Although the test was challenging, Mia remained calm, and she completed every question.”
Compound-complex—two independent clauses and one dependent clause
Identify the complete subject and complete predicate: “The old wooden bridge across the river collapsed during the storm.”
Subject: The old wooden bridge across the river; predicate: collapsed during the storm
Name the parts of speech described: (1) shows relationships between words; (2) joins words, phrases, or clauses; (3) expresses an exclamation without a grammatical connection to the sentence.
1. Preposition; 2. Conjunction; 3. Interjection
Identify the part of speech of light in each sentence: (1) “The light disappeared.” (2) “Please light the candle.” (3) “She carried a light backpack.”
1. Noun; 2. Verb; 3. Adjective. Its function determines its part of speech.
Identify both clauses and classify each: “The students who practiced regularly improved.”
Independent: The students … improved; dependent: who practiced regularly
Classify and explain: “Mia and Caleb reviewed their notes and practiced the examples.”
Simple. It has one independent clause with a compound subject and compound verb; no dependent clauses.