Let’s go through each item one by one and decide if it’s a
sentence (complete thought with subject + verb) or
not a sentence (incomplete thought).
Remember:
- A
sentence must have at least a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (what they’re doing or being), and express a complete idea.
- If it’s missing something or feels like it’s cut off, it’s
not a sentence.
---
1.
Joe didn’t answer.
→ Subject: Joe
→ Verb: didn’t answer
→ Complete thought? Yes — we know who and what happened.
✔ Sentence
2.
All the money in the world.
→ This is just a noun phrase. No verb. What about the money? Did it disappear? Was it found? Not clear.
✘ Not a sentence
3.
Now that I have a new job.
→ This starts with “Now that...” which makes it a dependent clause. It’s waiting for more info — like “...I can save money.” Alone, it’s incomplete.
✘ Not a sentence
4.
Ian is very busy.
→ Subject: Ian
→ Verb: is
→ Complete thought? Yes — tells us about Ian’s state.
✔ Sentence
5.
It will be hot today.
→ Subject: It
→ Verb: will be
→ Complete thought? Yes — predicts weather.
✔ Sentence
6.
Never seen such a thing.
→ Missing subject! Who never saw it? Looks like part of a bigger sentence.
✘ Not a sentence
7.
The whole time we were there.
→ Again, this feels like it’s leading to something — like “...we had fun.” As-is, no main action or conclusion.
✘ Not a sentence
8.
Without any hesitation.
→ This is a prepositional phrase. No subject, no verb. Just describes how something was done — but doesn’t say what was done.
✘ Not a sentence
---
Final Answer:
1. sentence
2. not a sentence
3. not a sentence
4. sentence
5. sentence
6. not a sentence
7. not a sentence
8. not a sentence
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of sentence structure worksheet pdf.
