🎮 Sentences with Mario

Welcome back to Grammar Through Video Games! Today, we’re heading into the Mushroom Kingdom to explore the building blocks of every sentence — with a little help from Mario.

Whether he’s jumping over Goombas or zooming down pipes, Mario doesn’t just star in games — he also makes grammar more fun.

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🍄 What Is a Sentence?

Let’s start simple. A sentence is a complete thought. It has to tell us who is doing something and what they’re doing. If either piece is missing, it’s like trying to play Mario without a controller — something’s just not right.

Try this:

"Jumps over the lava."

Cool action, but who’s doing it?

Now try:

"Mario jumps over the lava." ✅

Now we have a complete thought. It makes sense on its own. That’s what a real sentence does.

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🧱 Subject + Predicate = Sentence Power-Up

Every sentence has two key parts:

• Subject – who or what the sentence is about

• Predicate – what the subject is doing (or what’s being said about them)

In this example:

Mario grabs a Fire Flower.

• Subject: Mario

• Predicate: grabs a Fire Flower

It’s like a perfect pair — you can’t have a sentence without both.

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🔍 Level Up: Complete Subjects and Predicates

Let’s take things a little further.

Some subjects are more detailed than just one word. Same goes for predicates.

Take this sentence:

The brave plumber Mario jumps over the Goomba.

• Complete subject: The brave plumber Mario

• Complete predicate: jumps over the Goomba

  

Just like in a game, the more pieces you add, the more exciting it gets — but the structure stays the same.

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📝 Quick Practice (Feel free to try these with your students or your own kiddos!)

Part 1: Find the Subject and Predicate
Underline the subject and circle the predicate.

1. Mario stomps on the Koopa.

2. Luigi races toward the castle.

3. Princess Peach throws a heart.

4. Yoshi gobbles up a berry.

5. Bowser roars loudly.

Part 2: Identify the Complete Subject and Complete Predicate
Break each sentence into its full parts.

1. The red-capped hero runs through the tunnel.

2. A glowing Super Star gives Mario extra power.

3. The yellow block hovers in the air.

4. His loyal brother Luigi jumps on the flagpole.

5. The giant Piranha Plant waits near the pipe.

Part 3: Your Turn!
Write 3 sentences about Mario, Luigi, or any other Mushroom Kingdom character. Then, underline the complete subject and circle the complete predicate.

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💡 Why This Works

Using familiar characters makes abstract grammar ideas feel real and even fun. When kids picture Mario dodging fireballs, they’re more likely to remember what a subject and predicate actually do.

And honestly? That’s the whole point of this series — turning grammar into something students want to explore.

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Thanks for stopping by Grammar Through Video Games!
If you enjoyed this, hit that ⭐️ or share it with another educator or parent who might love it too. I’ll be back soon with Nouns with Sonic — because blue blurs have grammar, too.

— Prof. Rock