Ready to excel on the ParaPro Writing test? This guide equips you to master sentence parts with clarity, setting you up to thrive as a teaching assistant!
What Are Sentence Parts?
Building on our understanding of grammar, word usage, and punctuation errors, this ParaPro Writing Study Guide dives into sentence parts—the building blocks of clear writing, including subjects, predicates, clauses, and phrases. The exam tests your ability to identify these components and ensure sentences are structurally sound. As a paraprofessional, this knowledge helps you support students in crafting coherent sentences.
These skills are vital for addressing 10-15 of the 90 exam questions focused on practical application in writing.
Why Sentence Parts Matter
Approximately 10-15 of the 90 ParaPro questions evaluate your ability to analyze and correct sentence structure in real-world writing scenarios. Understanding sentence parts ensures clarity and correctness in student writing, a core duty for teaching assistants, enhancing both classroom support and exam success.
Types of Sentence Parts
Identifying Subjects
The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun performing the action (e.g., “The dog barks”). Errors occur when subjects are missing (e.g., in fragments) or unclear (e.g., in complex sentences). To identify the subject, ask “who or what” is doing the action. Watch for compound subjects (e.g., “The dog and cat bark”) and ensure agreement with the verb.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the subject in the sentence.
“The teacher writes on the board.”
- A) The teacher
- B) Writes
- C) On the board
- D) The board
Answer: A) The teacher
Explanation: “The teacher” is performing the action (writes). Test tip: Ask “who writes?”
Example 2
Directions: Identify the subject in the sentence.
“Running late, I missed the bus.”
- A) Running late
- B) I
- C) The bus
- D) Missed
Answer: B) I
Explanation: “I” is the one missing the bus, despite the introductory phrase. Test tip: Ignore introductory phrases when identifying the subject!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error related to the subject.
“Barks loudly in the yard.”
- A) No error
- B) Missing subject
- C) Incorrect verb
- D) Missing punctuation
Answer: B) Missing subject
Explanation: The sentence lacks a subject (e.g., “The dog barks”). Test tip: Every sentence needs a subject!
Example 4
Directions: Identify the subject in the sentence.
“The cat and dog play together.”
- A) The cat
- B) The cat and dog
- C) Play
- D) Together
Answer: B) The cat and dog
Explanation: “The cat and dog” is a compound subject performing the action. Test tip: Look for compound subjects joined by “and”!
Understanding Predicates
The predicate describes the action or state of the subject (e.g., “barks” in “The dog barks”). It includes the verb and any objects or modifiers. Errors occur in fragments (missing predicates) or when predicates don’t match subjects (e.g., verb agreement issues). Identify the predicate by finding the verb and its related words.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the predicate in the sentence.
“The student studies every night.”
- A) The student
- B) Studies
- C) Studies every night
- D) Every night
Answer: C) Studies every night
Explanation: The predicate includes the verb “studies” and its modifier “every night.” Test tip: Find the verb and its details!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error related to the predicate.
“The team in the gym.”
- A) No error
- B) Missing predicate
- C) Incorrect subject
- D) Missing punctuation
Answer: B) Missing predicate
Explanation: The sentence lacks a verb (e.g., “The team plays in the gym”). Test tip: Ensure every sentence has a predicate!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the predicate in the sentence.
“She sings beautifully in the choir.”
- A) She
- B) Sings
- C) Sings beautifully in the choir
- D) In the choir
Answer: C) Sings beautifully in the choir
Explanation: The predicate includes the verb “sings” and its modifiers. Test tip: Include all words tied to the verb!
Example 4
Directions: Identify the error related to the predicate.
“The dogs barks loudly.”
- A) No error
- B) Subject-predicate disagreement
- C) Missing subject
- D) Incorrect modifier
Answer: B) Subject-predicate disagreement
Explanation: “Dogs” (plural) needs “bark,” not “barks.” Test tip: Match the verb to the subject’s number!
Recognizing Independent Clauses
An independent clause is a complete sentence with a subject and predicate (e.g., “I run”). Errors occur in run-ons (e.g., two independent clauses without proper punctuation) or fragments (e.g., incomplete clauses). Identify independent clauses by checking if they can stand alone as a sentence.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the independent clause in the sentence.
“Although it rained, we played outside.”
- A) Although it rained
- B) We played outside
- C) It rained
- D) Played outside
Answer: B) We played outside
Explanation: “We played outside” can stand alone as a sentence. Test tip: Check if the clause is complete!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error related to independent clauses.
“I wanted to go I stayed home.”
- A) No error
- B) Run-on sentence
- C) Missing subject
- D) Missing predicate
Answer: B) Run-on sentence
Explanation: Two independent clauses (“I wanted to go” and “I stayed home”) need a semicolon or period. Test tip: Separate independent clauses properly!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the independent clause in the sentence.
“She smiled because she was happy.”
- A) She smiled
- B) Because she was happy
- C) She was happy
- D) Smiled because
Answer: A) She smiled
Explanation: “She smiled” is a complete sentence; the other is dependent. Test tip: Look for standalone clauses!
Example 4
Directions: Identify the error related to independent clauses.
“When the bell rings.”
- A) No error
- B) Fragment (not an independent clause)
- C) Run-on sentence
- D) Missing punctuation
Answer: B) Fragment (not an independent clause)
Explanation: “When the bell rings” cannot stand alone; it needs a main clause (e.g., “we leave”). Test tip: Ensure clauses are complete!
Understanding Dependent Clauses
Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and begin with subordinating conjunctions (e.g., “because,” “although”) or relative pronouns (e.g., “who,” “which”). Errors occur when they’re treated as complete sentences (fragments) or improperly joined. Identify them by their inability to stand alone and their introductory words.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the dependent clause in the sentence.
“I stayed inside because it was raining.”
- A) I stayed inside
- B) Because it was raining
- C) It was raining
- D) Stayed inside
Answer: B) Because it was raining
Explanation: “Because it was raining” cannot stand alone due to “because.” Test tip: Look for subordinating conjunctions!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error related to dependent clauses.
“Although she was tired.”
- A) No error
- B) Fragment (dependent clause only)
- C) Missing subject
- D) Missing predicate
Answer: B) Fragment (dependent clause only)
Explanation: “Although she was tired” needs a main clause (e.g., “she rested”). Test tip: Dependent clauses need independent clauses!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the dependent clause in the sentence.
“The student who studied hard passed the test.”
- A) The student
- B) Who studied hard
- C) Passed the test
- D) The student who studied
Answer: B) Who studied hard
Explanation: “Who studied hard” is a relative clause that cannot stand alone. Test tip: Look for relative pronouns!
Example 4
Directions: Identify the error related to dependent clauses.
“If you practice you will improve.”
- A) No error
- B) Missing comma after “practice”
- C) Fragment
- D) Run-on sentence
Answer: B) Missing comma after “practice”
Explanation: A comma is needed after the dependent clause “If you practice” when it comes first. Test tip: Use commas after introductory dependent clauses!
Identifying Phrases
Phrases are groups of words without a subject and predicate (e.g., “in the park”). Common types include prepositional (e.g., “on the table”), participial (e.g., “running quickly”), and infinitive phrases (e.g., “to learn fast”). Errors occur when phrases are mistaken for clauses or cause ambiguity (e.g., misplaced modifiers). Identify phrases by their lack of a complete subject-verb pair.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the phrase in the sentence.
“She runs in the morning.”
- A) She runs
- B) In the morning
- C) Runs in
- D) The morning
Answer: B) In the morning
Explanation: “In the morning” is a prepositional phrase without a subject-verb pair. Test tip: Look for prepositions like “in”!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error related to phrases.
“Running to the store, the rain started.”
- A) No error
- B) Misplaced modifier (phrase issue)
- C) Missing subject
- D) Missing predicate
Answer: B) Misplaced modifier (phrase issue)
Explanation: “Running to the store” implies the rain is running, which is unclear; rephrase to “While I was running to the store, the rain started.” Test tip: Ensure phrases modify the correct noun!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the phrase in the sentence.
“To win the game is my goal.”
- A) To win the game
- B) Is my goal
- C) My goal
- D) The game
Answer: A) To win the game
Explanation: “To win the game” is an infinitive phrase acting as the subject. Test tip: Look for “to” + verb for infinitive phrases!
Example 4
Directions: Identify the phrase in the sentence.
“Smiling brightly, she greeted everyone.”
- A) Smiling brightly
- B) She greeted
- C) Greeted everyone
- D) She greeted everyone
Answer: A) Smiling brightly
Explanation: “Smiling brightly” is a participial phrase modifying “she.” Test tip: Look for -ing verbs acting as modifiers!
Reading and Analyzing Sentence Parts
On the exam, break down sentences to identify subjects, predicates, clauses, and phrases. Check for fragments by ensuring each sentence has a subject and predicate. Verify clause independence and phrase placement to avoid ambiguity. This mirrors classroom editing, enhancing your ability to support student writing.
Easy Steps to Master Sentence Parts
Follow these steps to excel:
- Identify the subject by asking “who or what” does the action.
- Find the predicate by locating the verb and its modifiers.
- Determine if clauses are independent or dependent.
- Spot phrases by their lack of a subject-verb pair.
- Practice with varied sentences daily.
Test tip: Break sentences into parts systematically!
Quiz for Topic
Ready to test your skills? Take our 10-question sentence parts quiz below to sharpen your expertise!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the subject in a sentence?
Ask “who or what” is doing the action, and ignore introductory phrases. Tip: Practice with simple sentences first!
What’s the difference between a clause and a phrase?
A clause has a subject and predicate; a phrase doesn’t. Tip: Look for verbs to distinguish them!
How many sentence structure questions are on the exam?
About 10-15 of 90 questions. Tip: Use our free quizzes to prepare!
Can this improve my teaching?
Yes! It helps you teach students to write clear sentences. Tip: Apply with students daily!
Where can I practice more?
Explore our free ParaPro writing tests online. Tip: Review one topic per day!
What if a sentence is a fragment?
It’s missing a subject or predicate; add the missing part. Tip: Check for completeness!
How do I spot a dependent clause?
Look for subordinating conjunctions (e.g., “because”) or relative pronouns (e.g., “who”). Tip: Test if it stands alone!