Sentence - A group of words that contains a subject and its predicate and makes a complete thought.
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 1, "Simple Subjects and Predicates," pp. 38-40
Subject - The noun or subject pronoun that the sentence is about.
Predicate - The verb and other words that are about the subject.
As part of the complete subject and complete predicate, every sentence has two main parts: a simple subject and a simple predicate.
The simple subject of a sentence is the main word in the complete subject. It is always a noun or a pronoun. Sometimes, the simple subject is also the complete subject.
Example: Most birds can fly.
Example: They can fly because they have wings.
The simple predicate is the complete verb within the complete predicate. The simple predicate may be one or more words.
Example: Most birds can fly.
Example: They fly through the windows into the barn.
Predicate - The verb and other words that are about the subject.
As part of the complete subject and complete predicate, every sentence has two main parts: a simple subject and a simple predicate.
The simple subject of a sentence is the main word in the complete subject. It is always a noun or a pronoun. Sometimes, the simple subject is also the complete subject.
Example: Most birds can fly.
Example: They can fly because they have wings.
The simple predicate is the complete verb within the complete predicate. The simple predicate may be one or more words.
Example: Most birds can fly.
Example: They fly through the windows into the barn.
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 2, "Complete Subjects and Predicates," pp. 41-42
The complete subject includes all words that tell who or what the subject is.
Examples: Most birds can fly.
Judy runs.
Judy and her dog run on the beach every morning.
The complete predicate includes all words that state the action or condition of the subject.
Example: Most birds can fly.
Judy runs.
Judy and her dog run on the beach every morning.
To determine the complete subject of a sentence, first isolate the verb and then make a question by placing "who?" or "what?" before it -- the answer is the subject.
The audience littered the theatre floor with torn wrappings and spilled popcorn.
The verb in the above sentence is "littered." Who or what littered? "The audience" did.
"The audience" is the complete subject of the sentence.
The complete predicate (which always includes the verb) goes on to relate something about the subject: what about the audience?
It "littered the theatre floor with torn wrappings and spilled popcorn."
Examples: Most birds can fly.
Judy runs.
Judy and her dog run on the beach every morning.
The complete predicate includes all words that state the action or condition of the subject.
Example: Most birds can fly.
Judy runs.
Judy and her dog run on the beach every morning.
To determine the complete subject of a sentence, first isolate the verb and then make a question by placing "who?" or "what?" before it -- the answer is the subject.
The audience littered the theatre floor with torn wrappings and spilled popcorn.
The verb in the above sentence is "littered." Who or what littered? "The audience" did.
"The audience" is the complete subject of the sentence.
The complete predicate (which always includes the verb) goes on to relate something about the subject: what about the audience?
It "littered the theatre floor with torn wrappings and spilled popcorn."
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 3, "Compound Subjects and Verbs," pp. 43-44
A compound subject is a subject with two or more nouns or pronouns joined by the word and or another conjunction. Compound subjects share the same predicate.
Example:
Her shoes were covered with mud. Her ankles were covered with mud, too.
Her shoes and ankles were covered with mud.
"Her shoes and ankles" is the compound subject. The predicate in both the sentences is 'were covered with mud.'
A compound predicate is a predicate with two or more verbs joined by the word and or another conjunction. Compound predicates share the same subject.
Example:
Jan jumped on her bike. Jan rode around the block.
Jan jumped on her bike and rode around the block.
The compound predicate is "jumped on her bike and rode around the block." The subject in both the sentences is Jan.
Compound Subject and Compound Predicate: A sentence can have a compound subject and a compound predicate.
Example:
Sue and Maria went to the mall and shopped for an hour.
Example:
Her shoes were covered with mud. Her ankles were covered with mud, too.
Her shoes and ankles were covered with mud.
"Her shoes and ankles" is the compound subject. The predicate in both the sentences is 'were covered with mud.'
A compound predicate is a predicate with two or more verbs joined by the word and or another conjunction. Compound predicates share the same subject.
Example:
Jan jumped on her bike. Jan rode around the block.
Jan jumped on her bike and rode around the block.
The compound predicate is "jumped on her bike and rode around the block." The subject in both the sentences is Jan.
Compound Subject and Compound Predicate: A sentence can have a compound subject and a compound predicate.
Example:
Sue and Maria went to the mall and shopped for an hour.
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 4, "Kinds of Sentences," pp. 45-46
The sentence purposes are so well named that they are virtually self-defining. Each does precisely what its names implies.
declarative sentence: A declarative sentence is a sentence that declares (states). I will.
interrogative sentence: An interrogative sentence is a sentence that interrogates (asks). Will you?
imperative sentence: An imperative sentence is a sentence that imperiously commands. Go away.
exclamatory sentence: An exclamatory sentence is a sentence that exclaims. I will!
declarative sentence: A declarative sentence is a sentence that declares (states). I will.
interrogative sentence: An interrogative sentence is a sentence that interrogates (asks). Will you?
imperative sentence: An imperative sentence is a sentence that imperiously commands. Go away.
exclamatory sentence: An exclamatory sentence is a sentence that exclaims. I will!
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 5, "Subjects in Unusual Positions," pp. 47-49
Every sentence has a subject and a predicate. Sometimes they aren’t easy to find.
Inverted Sentences
In some declarative sentences, the subject follows the verb in order to receive greater emphasis.
Such inverted sentences usually begin with prepositional phrases.
Beneath the pillows of the couch smoldered the cigarette.
The cigarette smoldered beneath the pillows of the couch.
Around the corner careened the speeding car.
The speeding car careened around the corner.
Sentences Beginning with Here or There
The subject of a sentence is rarely there or here.
In normal use, these words are usually adverbs that modify the verb by pointing out where. Occasionally, there may be used to merely to start the sentence and have no adverbial function at all. In this case, there is an expletive.
In the following examples, note the position of the subjects - after the verbs. To locate subjects in such sentences, rearrange the sentence logically in your mind so that there or here comes after the verb. If there sounds awkward after the verb, it may be an expletive, as in the last example. Then simple drop there before rearranging the words.
There are the lost keys.
The lost keys are there.
Here is the ticket for your trip.
The ticket for your trip is here.
There is money available
Money is available.
Occasionally, sentences beginning with there or here are in normal word order with the subject before the verb.
Example: There she is.
Questions (Interrogative Sentences)
If the sentence is a question, the subject may not be at the beginning. In order to find the subject, rewrite the question as a sentence.
Example: Where is the pencil sharpener?
The pencil sharpener is where?
Did the president win the debate?
The president did win the debate.
Directions or Commands (Imperative Sentences)
If the sentence is a command, then the subject is called understood you. It’s assumed that you are the one who will do the action.
Example: [you] Stop talking.
[you] Be nice to your classmates.
Inverted Sentences
In some declarative sentences, the subject follows the verb in order to receive greater emphasis.
Such inverted sentences usually begin with prepositional phrases.
Beneath the pillows of the couch smoldered the cigarette.
The cigarette smoldered beneath the pillows of the couch.
Around the corner careened the speeding car.
The speeding car careened around the corner.
Sentences Beginning with Here or There
The subject of a sentence is rarely there or here.
In normal use, these words are usually adverbs that modify the verb by pointing out where. Occasionally, there may be used to merely to start the sentence and have no adverbial function at all. In this case, there is an expletive.
In the following examples, note the position of the subjects - after the verbs. To locate subjects in such sentences, rearrange the sentence logically in your mind so that there or here comes after the verb. If there sounds awkward after the verb, it may be an expletive, as in the last example. Then simple drop there before rearranging the words.
There are the lost keys.
The lost keys are there.
Here is the ticket for your trip.
The ticket for your trip is here.
There is money available
Money is available.
Occasionally, sentences beginning with there or here are in normal word order with the subject before the verb.
Example: There she is.
Questions (Interrogative Sentences)
If the sentence is a question, the subject may not be at the beginning. In order to find the subject, rewrite the question as a sentence.
Example: Where is the pencil sharpener?
The pencil sharpener is where?
Did the president win the debate?
The president did win the debate.
Directions or Commands (Imperative Sentences)
If the sentence is a command, then the subject is called understood you. It’s assumed that you are the one who will do the action.
Example: [you] Stop talking.
[you] Be nice to your classmates.
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 6, "Subject Complements," pp. 50-51
Subject Complement - A noun, subject pronoun, or adjective that is linked to the subject by a linking verb and tells more about the subject.
A subject complement is the adjective, noun, or pronoun that follows a linking verb.
The following verbs are true linking verbs: any form of the verb be [am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been, etc.], become, and seem. These true linking verbs are always linking
verbs.
Then you have a list of verbs that can be linking or action: appear, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, smell,sound, taste, and turn. If you can substitute any of the verbs on this second list with an equal sign [=] and the sentence still makes sense, the verb is almost always linking.
A subject complement is the adjective, noun, or pronoun that follows a linking verb.
The following verbs are true linking verbs: any form of the verb be [am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been, etc.], become, and seem. These true linking verbs are always linking
verbs.
Then you have a list of verbs that can be linking or action: appear, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, smell,sound, taste, and turn. If you can substitute any of the verbs on this second list with an equal sign [=] and the sentence still makes sense, the verb is almost always linking.
Brendon is a gifted athlete.
subj Pred SC (LV) Brendon = athlete |
Lucy became embarrassed.
subj pred SC (LV) Lucy = embarrassed |
The lottery winner was she. subj pred SC (LV)
Winner = she |
The sailor's face will turn red.
subj pred -- SC ( LV) face = red |
|
Watch a video about identifying subject complements |
Grammar for Writing - Chapter 2
Lesson 7, "Objects of Verbs," pp. 51-53
Direct Object - A noun or object pronoun that receives the action of the action verb.
Recognize a direct object when you see one. A direct object will follow a transitive verb [a type of action verb]. Direct objects can be nouns, pronouns, phrases, or clauses. If you can identify the subject and verb in a sentence, then finding the direct object--if one exists—is easy. Just remember this simple formula:
subject + verb + what? or who? = direct object
Here are examples of the formula in action:
Zippy and Maurice played soccer with a grapefruit pulled from a backyard tree.
Zippy, Maurice = subjects
played = verb.
Zippy and Maurice played what? Soccer = direct object.
Zippy accidentally kicked Maurice in the shin.
Zippy = subject;
kicked = verb.
Zippy kicked who? Maurice = direct object.
Recognize a direct object when you see one. A direct object will follow a transitive verb [a type of action verb]. Direct objects can be nouns, pronouns, phrases, or clauses. If you can identify the subject and verb in a sentence, then finding the direct object--if one exists—is easy. Just remember this simple formula:
subject + verb + what? or who? = direct object
Here are examples of the formula in action:
Zippy and Maurice played soccer with a grapefruit pulled from a backyard tree.
Zippy, Maurice = subjects
played = verb.
Zippy and Maurice played what? Soccer = direct object.
Zippy accidentally kicked Maurice in the shin.
Zippy = subject;
kicked = verb.
Zippy kicked who? Maurice = direct object.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs - What's the Difference?
A verb can be described as transitive or intransitive based on whether it requires an object to express a complete thought or not.
How to Identify a Transitive Verb
Transitive verbs are not just verbs that can take an object; they demand objects. Without an object to affect, the sentence that a transitive verb inhabits will not seem complete.
Please bring coffee.
In this sentence, the verb bring is transitive; its object is coffee, the thing that is being brought. Without an object of some kind, this verb cannot function.
Please bring.
Bring what, or who? The question begs itself because the meaning of bring demands it.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs and their objects.
How to Identify an Intransitive Verb
An intransitive verb is the opposite of a transitive verb: it does not require an object to act upon.
They jumped into the pool (The prepositional phrase tells "where" they jumped, not "what" they jumped.)
The dog ran.
She sang.
A light was shining.
None of these verbs require an object for the sentence to make sense, and all of them can end a sentence.
A number of English verbs can only be intransitive; that is, they will never make sense paired with an object. Two examples of intransitive-only verbs are arrive and die. You can’t arrive something, and you certainly can’t die something; it is impossible for an object to follow these verbs.
Transitive or Intransitive? Some Verbs Can Be Both
Many verbs can be classified as both transitive and intransitive depending on how they are used in a sentence.
Urged by the others, she sang. - instransitive
She sang the national anthem at the hockey game. - transitive
After he cleaned up, he left. - intransitive
He left the gift on the table. - transitive
To decide whether the verb is being used transitively or intransitively, all you need to do is determine whether the verb has an object. Does she sing something? Does he leave something? The verb is only transitive when the answer is yes.
A verb can be described as transitive or intransitive based on whether it requires an object to express a complete thought or not.
- A transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object.
- An intransitive verb will make sense without one. Some verbs may be used both ways.
How to Identify a Transitive Verb
Transitive verbs are not just verbs that can take an object; they demand objects. Without an object to affect, the sentence that a transitive verb inhabits will not seem complete.
Please bring coffee.
In this sentence, the verb bring is transitive; its object is coffee, the thing that is being brought. Without an object of some kind, this verb cannot function.
Please bring.
Bring what, or who? The question begs itself because the meaning of bring demands it.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs and their objects.
- The girls carry water to their village.
- Juan threw the ball.
- Could you phone the neighbors?
- I caught a cold.
- She loves rainbows.
- Lila conveyed the message.
How to Identify an Intransitive Verb
An intransitive verb is the opposite of a transitive verb: it does not require an object to act upon.
They jumped into the pool (The prepositional phrase tells "where" they jumped, not "what" they jumped.)
The dog ran.
She sang.
A light was shining.
None of these verbs require an object for the sentence to make sense, and all of them can end a sentence.
A number of English verbs can only be intransitive; that is, they will never make sense paired with an object. Two examples of intransitive-only verbs are arrive and die. You can’t arrive something, and you certainly can’t die something; it is impossible for an object to follow these verbs.
Transitive or Intransitive? Some Verbs Can Be Both
Many verbs can be classified as both transitive and intransitive depending on how they are used in a sentence.
Urged by the others, she sang. - instransitive
She sang the national anthem at the hockey game. - transitive
After he cleaned up, he left. - intransitive
He left the gift on the table. - transitive
To decide whether the verb is being used transitively or intransitively, all you need to do is determine whether the verb has an object. Does she sing something? Does he leave something? The verb is only transitive when the answer is yes.
Indirect Object - A noun or object pronoun that is indirectly affected by the action verb, and that is located between the action verb and the direct object.
An indirect object is a word or a group of words that usually comes between the verb and the direct object. It tells to whom or for whom something has been done
Fred gives Julie the flower.
Who gives the flower - Fred - Fred is the subject of the verb gives.
What does Fred give? - the flower - the flower is the direct object.
Who does Fred give the flower to? - Julie - Julie is the indirect object.
The indirect object goes after the verb and before the direct object. It answers the question "to whom" or "for whom" of the direct object. The indirect object cannot include the word "to", if it does, the noun is the object of the preposition and not an indirect object
Fred glves the flower to Julie.
subj pred DO prep phrase
This sentence does not have an indirect object.
Fred gives Julie the flower.
Who gives the flower - Fred - Fred is the subject of the verb gives.
What does Fred give? - the flower - the flower is the direct object.
Who does Fred give the flower to? - Julie - Julie is the indirect object.
The indirect object goes after the verb and before the direct object. It answers the question "to whom" or "for whom" of the direct object. The indirect object cannot include the word "to", if it does, the noun is the object of the preposition and not an indirect object
Fred glves the flower to Julie.
subj pred DO prep phrase
This sentence does not have an indirect object.
Object Complement - a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective which follows a direct object to rename it or state what is has become.
Verbs of making (e.g., to make, to create) or naming (e.g., to name, to call, to elect) often attract an object complement. In the examples below, the object complements are italicized and the direct objects are in bold.
To find the object complement, ask "what" after the direct object.
Verbs of making (e.g., to make, to create) or naming (e.g., to name, to call, to elect) often attract an object complement. In the examples below, the object complements are italicized and the direct objects are in bold.
To find the object complement, ask "what" after the direct object.
- To make her happy - To make her what? Happy
- To name her Heidi - To name her what? Heidi
- To consider someone honest - To consider someone what? Honest
- To paint something purple
- To catch somebody stealing
- I found the guard sleeping. I found the guard what? Sleeping
- We all consider her unworthy.
- I declare this highway open.
- We consider fish spoiled once it smells like what it is.
- To obtain a man's opinion of you, make him mad. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809-1894)
- I found the guard sleeping in the barn.
- We all consider her unworthy of the position.