Name Grammar

1.1.1

Complete Sentences

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Every sentence has
two parts: a subject and a predicate. The simple subject is the main word that tells
whom or what the sentence is about. The simple predicate is the main word that tells
what the subject is or does. When a sentence is a command, the subject is understood
but not stated.

simple subject simple predicate

The school staff awaited the delivery of the package.
You hold the door open, please.

> Read the complete sentences below. Underline the simple subject and circle the
simple predicate. (1 point each)

1.    Frank delivered packages and mail to the school every day.

2.    The package in the brown box was by far the heaviest.

3.    The contents of the box weighed over 50 pounds!

4.    Luckily he spotted Louis in the doorway.

> Read the complete sentences below. Write the simple subject and circle the simple
predicate. (2 points each)

5.    The early morning is a busy time for the school principal. morning

6.    Wait by the classroom door. You

7.    The teacher wrote the directions on the board. teacher

> Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure complete sentences are
used correctly.

Grade 5 • Complete Sentences Printable

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Name Grammar
1.1.2

Sentence Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete idea.
Whenever the students are outside.

A run-on sentence is two sentences that are not combined properly.

Whenever the students are outside they play games they climb the jungle gym.

A comma splice shows two sentences that are not combined properly connected by a
comma.
Whenever the students are outside they play games, they climb the jungle gym.

> Write whether the group of words is a sentence or a sentence fragment. (1 point each)

1.    The school held a cleanup day. sentence

2.    Bottles, pencils, wrappers, and other trash. sentence fragment

3.    Whoever picks up the most garbage. sentence fragment

4.    There will be prizes for the students. sentence

5.    Students need to keep the schoolyard clean. sentence

6.    The overflowing garbage barrels. sentence fragment

> Read the sentence fragments below. Write whether the sentence fragment needs a
subject or a predicate in order to be a complete sentence. (1 point each)

7.    trash like bottles, paper, and cans predicate

8.    recycling these materials here subject

9.    picked up garbage on the beach on Saturday subject

10.    students from Mr. Martinez’s class predicate

> Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure complete sentences are
written correctly.

Grade 5 • Complete Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.1.3

Writing Sentences

Every sentence has two parts: a subject and a predicate.

The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. The
predicate tells what the subject is or does. The complete
sentence expresses a complete thought.

sentence fragment
The birds, frogs, and crickets at the lake.
(needs predicate)
complete sentence
The birds, frogs, and crickets at the lake fascinated the
visiting students.

> Read the sentence fragments. Write a subject or predicate to complete the sentence
fragment and make a complete sentence. Possible responses shown.   (1 point each)

1.     The teacher’s explanation was very helpful to Tanesha.

2.    Jennifer’s favorite class is math .

3.     Carl gave a very interesting slide show about turtles.

4.    The classroom walls were covered in diagrams.

5.    Students who planned experiments were allowed to perform them .

6.     The TV program is about the rain forest and its animals.

7.    Those clothes, books, and computer supplies belong to Jamie and Clyde .

8.    Students from the fifth grade class went on a field trip yesterday .

9.     The music classroom is located on the third floor.

10.    The principal and several teachers watched as students got on the bus
.

> Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure complete sentences are
written correctly.

Grade 5 • Complete Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.1.4

Review Complete Sentences

subject predicate
Sentence: Many marine animals are endangered.
Fragment: An unusual forest creature.

> Underline the complete subject of each sentence once and the complete predicate of
each sentence twice. If the sentence does not have a subject and predicate, write
fragment. (1 point each)

1.    The scientists work for a vital cause.

2.    Tree kangaroos are shy and secretive.

3.    In the trees, the golden-haired animal. fragment

4.    Tromping through the woods, hoping to spot tree kangaroos. fragment

5.    I have always been interested in these special creatures.

6.    The reporter followed the crew as they searched the forest.

7.    The team of researchers working at the camp. fragment

8.    Many animals spend most of their lives in the trees.

9.    Experts on animals do research in many parts of the world.

10.    Many mammals that live in rain forests. fragment

> Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure complete sentences are
written correctly.

Grade 5 • Complete Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.1.5

Connect to Writing: Using Complete Sentences

> Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Sasha wrote a paragraph telling a story about school. Read her paragraph
and look for any revisions she should make. Then answer the questions that follow.

(1) Abel was absent from school today. (2) We wondered if he was sick.
(3) Abel’s friend Brett. (4) It’s too bad they were out. (5) Students with perfect
attendance. (6) Win a prize from the school.

1. Sentence 3 contains an error. Which of the following ways could you rewrite the sentence?

A. Abel’s friend Brett and their friend Rick.

B. Abel’s friend Brett was also absent.
C. Abel’s friend Brett was.
D. Make no change.

2. Which shows the best way to revise or combine Sentences 5 and 6?

A. Students with perfect attendance and win a prize from school.

B. Win a prize from school, students with perfect attendance.
C. Students with perfect attendance win a prize from school.
D. Make no change.

> Does your school offer prizes for reading or attendance? What would happen if it did? Write
two or three sentences about it.
(Responses will vary.)

Grade 5 • Complete Sentences Printable

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