Grammar Practice

Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................

8.1–2 Sentences and Sentence Fragments

Key Information
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Each sentence has a
subject part that names whom or what the sentence is about and a predicate part that
tells what the subject does or has. The predicate may also tell what the subject is or is like.
There are four types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and
imperative.
A sentence fragment is a group of words that lacks either a subject, a predicate, or both.
A fragment does not express a complete thought.

■ A. Identifying Types of Sentences

Decide whether each item is a sentence or a sentence fragment. If it is a sentence, write
whether it is declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative, and add the correct
end mark. If it is a sentence fragment, write fragment.
declarative
1. I will be there by 8:15 in the morning. _________________________________________
fragment
2. Saving a seat for me _______________________________________________________
imperative
3. Please be on time. _________________________________________________________
exclamatory
4. Ouch! I stubbed my toe! ____________________________________________________
interrogative
5. What do you know about that speaker? ________________________________________
declarative
6. I can count on you.________________________________________________________
imperative
7. Pick up your books and go to the exit. ________________________________________
fragment
8. Can’t recall ever hearing a better speech _____________________________________________
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■ B. Writing Complete Sentences

Correct the following fragments by writing them as complete sentences.
1. At least once a week Each sentence should have a subject and a predicate
and be correctly punctuated.
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Definitely will not
_______________________________________________________________________
3. After school on the playground
_______________________________________________________________________
4. No one in the room
_______________________________________________________________________

Writer’s Choice: Grammar Practice Workbook, Grade 8, Unit 8 1

 Grammar Practice
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................

8.3–5 Subjects and Predicates

Key Information
The complete subject includes all the words in the subject. The main word or group of
words in the complete subject is called the simple subject. A compound subject has two
or more simple subjects with the same predicate.
The complete predicate includes all the words in the predicate. The main word or group of
words in the complete predicate is called the simple predicate. A compound predicate
has two or more simple predicates with the same subject.

■ A. Identifying Subjects and Predicates

Write whether each sentence has a simple subject or a compound subject and a
simple predicate or a compound predicate. Then underline each simple subject and
simple predicate.
simple subject, compound predicate
1. Did you read and understand the homework assignment? _________________________
compound subject, simple predicate
2. She and Elizabeth will join us at the play. ______________________________________
simple subject, simple predicate
3. I know that lovely melody. _________________________________________________
compound subject, simple predicate
4. You and I would rather eat apples and bananas. _________________________________
simple subject, simple predicate
5. The boys jumped through hoops for us. _______________________________________
compound subject, simple predicate
6. Cowboys and cowgirls both rope steers. _______________________________________
simple subject, compound predicate
7. He huffed and puffed loudly. ________________________________________________
simple subject, simple predicate
8. Will you please rub my back? ________________________________________________
simple subject, compound predicate
9. The author wrote and illustrated many books. __________________________________

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simple subject, simple predicate
10. She learned about physics and geometry. ____________________________________________

■ B. Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

Underline the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
1. John and Tanya (was, were) very upbeat.
2. Parents and friends sometimes (shout, shouts) a lot at basketball games.
3. Laughter (swell, swells) up in his chest and nearly (make, makes) him choke.
4. She (write, writes) to her family each day.
5. Peas and carrots (is, are) my favorite vegetables.

2 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Practice Workbook, Grade 8, Unit 8

 Grammar Practice
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................

8.6 Simple and Compound Sentences

Key Information
A simple sentence has one complete subject and one complete predicate. It may have
a compound subject, a compound predicate, or both.
A compound sentence contains two or more simple sentences joined by a comma and
a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon.
A run-on sentence is two or more sentences incorrectly written as one sentence. Correct
a run-on sentence by rewriting it as two separate sentences or by joining the sentences
with a semicolon or with a conjunction preceded by a comma.

■ A. Identifying Simple and Compound Sentences

Write whether each sentence is simple or compound.
simple
1. Tigers and elephants are my favorite zoo animals.________________________________
compound
2. Some animals live in cages, but these animals roam inside fenced areas. ______________
compound
3. Tigers have such bright eyes; they look so intelligent! _____________________________
compound
4. Elephants’ eyes are not so bright, but their eyelashes are long. ______________________
simple
5. Have you ever noticed the eye colors of elephants and tigers?_______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
compound
6. Some animals enjoy being observed, but other animals seem uncomfortable. __________
_______________________________________________________________________
compound
7. Do you feel afraid, or do you find the experience enjoyable? _______________________
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

compound
8. Some zoo animals look happy; others seem depressed. ____________________________
simple
9. Both elephants and tigers sometimes pace. _____________________________________
simple
10. Perhaps they are hungry or need some attention. _____________________________________

■ B. Rewriting Run-on Sentences

Rewrite the following run-on sentences correctly. Possible answers given.
1. I told her yes then she ran up and put my name on the board. _________________________
I_______________________________________________________________________
told her yes; then she ran up and put my name on the board.
2. Her performance was fantastic, no one was better. ____________________________________
Her performance was fantastic; no one was better.
_______________________________________________________________________
3. I ate breakfast, she drank juice. _____________________________________________________
I_______________________________________________________________________
ate breakfast. She drank juice.
4. I can’t possibly eat another thing okay, give me a carrot.___________________________
I_______________________________________________________________________
can’t possibly eat another thing. Okay, give me a carrot.

Writer’s Choice: Grammar Practice Workbook, Grade 8, Unit 8 3

 Grammar Practice
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................

9.1–2, 5 Kinds of Nouns

Key Information
A noun is a word that names a person, Abstract nouns name ideas, qualities, or
place, thing, or idea. feelings.
A proper noun names a specific person, honor sadness
place, thing, or idea.
Compound nouns are made up of two or
Beatles Montreal more words. To create the plural form of
hyphenated compound nouns and com-
A common noun names any person, place,
pound nouns of more than one word, add
thing, or idea.
-s or -es to the most important part of the
children honesty compound.
Concrete nouns name things you can see Commander in Chief
or touch. Commanders in Chief
desk chair A collective noun names a group that is
made up of individuals.

■ A. Identifying Kinds of Nouns

List the nouns in each sentence. Then write whether each noun is proper, concrete,
abstract, or compound.
proper, concrete; proper, concrete; concrete
1. Did Oki see Maria’s new dog? _______________________________________________
concrete
2. I think it’s a golden retriever, but I’m not sure. __________________________________
abstract; proper, concrete; proper,
3. The truth is, she named him Goldy after her Aunt Golda! _________________________
concrete
proper, abstract; concrete
4. Every Tuesday, she takes him to obedience school. ____________________________________

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■ B. Making Compound Nouns Plural
Follow the rules you learned in your textbook to write a sentence using the correct
plural form of each of the following compound nouns. Make sure the verb you use
agrees with the noun. Use additional paper if necessary. Sentences should include these plural forms:
lawnmowers
1. (lawnmower)_____________________________________________________________
sons-in-law
2. (son-in-law) ______________________________________________________________________

■ C. Using Collective Nouns

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate collective noun. Possible answers given.
class
1. The entire ________________ was at recess.
audience
2. The performers took a bow when the ________________ applauded.

4 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Practice Workbook, Grade 8, Unit 9

 Grammar Practice
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................

9.3–4 Distinguishing Plurals, Possessives, and Contractions

Key Information
Possessive nouns name who or what owns the boys’ coats
something. They can be singular or plural,
Bill’s coat
common nouns or proper nouns. To form
the possessive of singular nouns and plural the Joneses’ car
nouns not ending in -s, add an apostrophe Contractions are made by combining two
and -s (‘s). To form the possessive of plural words into one and putting an apostrophe
nouns ending in -s, add only an apostrophe. in place of one or more letters.
the boy’s coat is not—isn’t

■ A. Identifying Plurals, Possessives, and Contractions

Write whether each underlined noun in the following sentences is a plural, a plural
possessive, a singular possessive, or a contraction.
plural possessive
1. The children’s books section of the store was packed with shoppers. _________________
singular possessive
2. I noticed that the catalog’s front page was ripped out. ____________________________
contraction
3. The bride’s never supposed to be late to the wedding. ____________________________
plural possessive
4. All five of the countries’ representatives spoke at once. ____________________________
contraction
5. That book’s the best one I’ve read this year._____________________________________
contraction
6. That singer’s sure to be a star someday. ________________________________________
plural possessive
7. The flowers’ fragrances were overwhelming. ____________________________________
plural
8. He wore several sweaters made of different styles and yarns. ___________________________
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

■ B. Using Plurals, Possessives, and Contractions

Write three sentences for each of the following words. In the first sentence use the
plural form of the word. In the second use the plural possessive form. In the third
sentence use the word as part of a contraction. Sentences should contain the following noun forms.
children
1. (child) ___________________________________________________________________________
children’s
_______________________________________________________________________
child’s (coming)
_______________________________________________________________________
Franks
2. (Frank) __________________________________________________________________________
Franks’
_______________________________________________________________________
Frank’s (happy)
_______________________________________________________________________

Writer’s Choice: Grammar Practice Workbook, Grade 8, Unit 9 5

 Grammar Practice
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................

9.6 Appositives
Key Information
An appositive is a noun that is placed next to another noun to identify it or add information
about it.
My only grandmother, Erma Clayborn, was a farmer.
An appositive phrase is a group of words that includes an appositive and other words that
describe it.
The man, a skilled athlete, easily lifted the heavy box.

■ A. Punctuating Appositives
Underline each appositive in the following sentences. Remember to add commas
if needed.
1. George Washington, our first president,had wooden false teeth.
2. He and his wife,Martha,lived at Mount Vernon in Virginia.
3. Martha,a widow,had children from her first marriage.
4. Washington’s home,Mount Vernon,is open to the public.
5. Martha Washington’s husband George was a farmer as well as a politician
and soldier.

■ B. Writing Appositives
Rewrite the following sentences, and add appositives or appositive phrases to each.
Be sure to punctuate your sentences correctly. Appositives will vary.

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1. Mrs. Fuller ran her best time ever in the 400-meter race. __________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Our dog whimpered all night when we first brought him home. ____________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. His father was also a very tall man. ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. My cousin will stay for two weeks when she visits. _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Her teacher handed back the papers on time. ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. She asked for her favorite hot drink. ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

6 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Practice Workbook, Grade 8, Unit 9