Powell Street and its streetcars in San Francisco, CA, USA

Activities: “How to form simple sentences in English?”

By: Erin Kuester
Associated Articles

These activities are part of our English Grammar series. The skills we are practicing here are covered in our article:

Activity 1: Correcting simple sentences

Let’s take a look at some simple sentences! Some of these are correct and some are incorrect. Can you spot the incorrect sentences and fix them to make them correct?

If the sentence is correct, type “Correct”. If it is incorrect, add the corrected version of the sentence in the box.

  • The dog is sleeping.

  • A book I read.

    Wrong word order (subject + verb + direct object)

  • Was late the bus.

    Wrong word order (subject + linking verb + modifier)

  • My brother dinner cooked.

    Wrong word order (subject + verb + direct object)

  • Red that sweater is.

    Wrong word order (subject + linking verb + modifier)

  • I got a new kitten.

  • She sent a card me.

    Wrong word order (subject + verb + indirect object + direct object / subject + verb + direct object + to/for + indirect object)

  • I the book on on the table.

    missing a verb

  • I will help you.

  • That painting is.

    Missing a modifier (subject + linking verb + modifier)

  • He a book gave his friend.

    Wrong word order (subject + verb + indirect object + direct object)

  • She bought.

    The verb buy requires a direct object

  • He a book gave his friend.

  • Seems busy.

    Missing subject (subject + linking verb + modifier)

  • My sister a teacher.

    Missing linking verb (subject + linking verb + modifier)

  • I rode my bicycle yesterday.

Activity 2: Modifying simple sentences

Add the following modifiers to the sentences below:

about plants
again
always
at the beach
Before she starts work,
birthday
black
business
classical
for
pepperoni
public
purple
that Sarah recommended
together
very
with cream

  1. I wrote a book .

  2. Ellen worked at the library.

  3. My parents have a old dog.

  4. Pat went swimming .

  5. They watch horror movies.

  6. Harry went to Spain .

  7. I ate a pizza.

  8. She drinks coffee .

  9. Michael has a dog.

  10. My parents cook dinner .

  11. Sarah checks her email.

  12. He loves music.

  13. My party is on Saturday.

  14. We watched the TV show .

  15. She bought a dress.

  16. The cat is sleeping .

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