How to Structure a Sentence Properly

If you have a point to make, using proper sentence structure and grammar will make your stance clearer.

Step 1: Choose a noun and a verb A proper sentence contains a subject and a predicate that complete a thought.
Step 2: Choose a subject Use a noun or pronoun as the subject – the person, place, or the thing doing the action. In the sentence "A cat ate dinner in the park," the cat is the subject.
TIP: In a command, a subject can be implied. For example, in the sentence "Sit down," "you" is the implied subject.
Step 3: Choose a predicate Use a verb in the predicate of the sentence, describing the action. The predicate modifies the subject.
TIP: The verb can also express being or existence. For example, in the sentence "I am hungry," "am" is the verb.
Step 4: Distinguish between a dependent and independent clause A sentence is an independent clause, but an independent clause is not a complete sentence. Make sure the thought is complete.
FACT: In the early 17th century, writers used colons, semicolons, and commas interchangeably.