Simple Sentences: One Independent Clause — Grade 4
This Grade 4 worksheet drills simple sentences — including those with compound subjects and compound verbs — through four types of practice exercises.
A simple sentence is the building block of all writing, and yet it can be more flexible than students expect. When a sentence has a compound subject — two or more people or things doing the same thing — or a compound verb — one subject doing two or more things — it is still a simple sentence with just one independent clause. Grade 4 writers often confuse these structures with compound sentences, where two separate clauses are joined together. This worksheet helps students spot the difference. They will identify subjects and predicates, fill in missing connecting words, and correct common errors before writing a simple sentence of their own. Use it as a stand-alone lesson or as guided practice before introducing compound sentences.
Simple Sentences: One Independent Clause — Grade 4
In this worksheet, you will practice identifying and writing simple sentences. Read each section carefully and follow the directions.
Remember
- A simple sentence has one independent clause: one subject and one predicate.
- A compound subject joins two or more subjects: 'Leo and Maya walked to school.'
- A compound verb joins two or more actions by one subject: 'She opened the door and sat down.'
Part A — Underline the Subject
Underline the complete subject in each sentence below.
- 1.
Maya and her brother walk to school every morning.
- 2.
The brown dog barked loudly at the mail carrier.
- 3.
Our class and the class next door planted seeds in the garden.
- 4.
Sunlight warms the earth and helps plants grow.
- 5.
Three frogs and a turtle sat on the log near the pond.
Part B — Fill in the Blank
Fill in each blank with one word to complete the simple sentence.
- 6.
Amara ____ her teammates practiced passing the ball every day.
- 7.
The Pacific Ocean ____ the Atlantic Ocean are two of the world's largest oceans.
- 8.
A caterpillar spins a cocoon ____ slowly becomes a butterfly.
- 9.
Priya read the instructions ____ built the model carefully.
- 10.
The moon orbits Earth ____ reflects light from the sun.
Part C — Rewrite the Sentence
Each sentence has one mistake. Rewrite it correctly on the line below.
- 11.
Tomas Keiko studied together for the science test.
- 12.
The bird sang and it flew away from the tree.
- 13.
Omar opened his backpack and he took out his homework.
- 14.
Carlos read the book, and put it back on the shelf.
Part D — Write Your Own
Write one simple sentence using a compound subject or a compound verb.
- 15.
Write one simple sentence about something you do at school. Use a compound subject or a compound verb in your sentence.
Answer key
Part A — Underline the Subject
- 1.Maya and her brother
- 2.The brown dog
- 3.Our class and the class next door
- 4.Sunlight
- 5.Three frogs and a turtle
Part B — Fill in the Blank
- 6.and
- 7.and
- 8.and
- 9.and
- 10.and
Part C — Rewrite the Sentence
- 11.Tomas and Keiko studied together for the science test.
- 12.The bird sang and flew away from the tree.
- 13.Omar opened his backpack and took out his homework.
- 14.Carlos read the book and put it back on the shelf.
Part D — Write Your Own
- 15.Example: My friend and I eat lunch together in the cafeteria every day.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify a simple sentence as having exactly one independent clause with a subject and predicate.
- Recognize compound subjects and compound verbs as features of a simple sentence.
- Write and correct simple sentences that use compound subjects or compound verbs.
Notes for the grown-up
- Students often mistake a simple sentence with a compound verb for a compound sentence — watch for this error.
- When a student adds an extra subject after 'and,' point out that one subject can perform two actions.
- A student is ready to move on when they can explain why a compound-verb sentence is still simple.
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