Grammar Basics: Sentence Structure and Punctuation

Vocabulary flashcards covering capitalization, subject and verb placement, complete thought, and comma usage as discussed in the notes.

Capitalization

The first letter of the sentence is capitalized.

Subject

The noun or pronoun that the sentence is about; placed at the beginning of the sentence.

Verb

The action or state of being expressed by the subject in the sentence.

Complete Thought

A sentence expresses a complete idea when the subject and verb form a complete thought.

Basic Sentence Unit

The core of a sentence: a subject plus a verb that together express a complete thought.

Comma Usage

Commas are used to set off introductory or interrupting material that precedes, follows, or inserts into the core subject-verb unit.

Run-On Sentence

A sentence that improperly joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions.