Turning Words into a Sentence

From words to a sentence

Spotting an unfinished group of words is half the job. Fixing it is the other half. Use four steps.

1. Run the two-question check to find the missing part.
2. Add words to fill in that part.
3. Start the sentence with a capital letter.
4. Put a period at the end.

Watch it work

Start with: “the wet dog”

Step 1. Who or what? The dog. What happens? Nothing is said. The telling part is missing.

Step 2. Add a telling part: “the wet dog shakes”

Step 3. Capital letter at the front: “The wet dog shakes”

Step 4. Period at the end: “The wet dog shakes.”

Here is one that needs the other part.

Start with: “ran to the gate”

Step 1. Who or what? Nothing is said. The naming part is missing.

Step 2. Add a naming part: “my brother ran to the gate”

Step 3 and 4. “My brother ran to the gate.”

The capital letter

Every sentence begins with a capital letter. This is true for the very first word only, not for every word in the sentence.

Correct: “Leo waves to me.”

Not correct: “leo waves to me.”

Not correct: “Leo Waves To Me.”

The end mark

A sentence that tells something ends with a period. A period is the small dot you put after the last word.

“The pot is hot.”

Some sentences ask something instead of telling something, and those end a different way. You will learn about them in a later course. For now, every sentence you write ends with a period.

A common slip

Many first graders fix one thing and stop. Read this.

“the cat naps”

It passes the two-question check. It is a sentence. But it is not written correctly yet. It needs two fixes, not one: a capital letter at the front and a period at the end.

“The cat naps.”

Your turn

Fix each one. Write a full sentence with a capital letter and a period.

1. “the bus stops”
2. “six eggs”
3. “digs in the sand”
4. “my hands are cold”

Check your answers

1. “The bus stops.” Both parts were already there. It needed a capital letter and a period.
2. “Six eggs fell out of the box.” The telling part was missing. Your telling part may be different and still be right.
3. “Ava digs in the sand.” The naming part was missing. Your naming part may be different and still be right.
4. “My hands are cold.” Both parts were already there.

Remember

• Find the missing part first, then add words to fill it.
• Start with a capital letter. Only the first word gets one.
• End a telling sentence with a period.