The SentenceThe Sentence

is a group of words expressing a complete thought.

expressinga

complete

thought

Every sentence has two Every sentence has two

essentialessential parts:parts: and and

The subject of a sentence is the part about which something is being said.

The flower bloomed.

Bob painted.

The girls on the team were all good students.

The predicate of a sentence is the part which says something about the subject.

Bill told everyone about the wreck.

Mary sobbed.

Sue plays the piano well.

The simple subject is the main word in the complete subject.

The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or

group of words in the complete predicate.

The complete subject is the main word and all its

modifiers.

The complete predicate is the verb and all its

modifiers.

The four new students arrived early.

Complete subject The four new students

Simple subject students

Sara’s sister took us bowling yesterday.

Simple predicate took

Complete Predicate took us bowling yesterday

ObjectsObjects

Objects follow ACTION verbs or Objects follow ACTION verbs or PrepositionsPrepositions

A direct object follows an ACTION verb A direct object follows an ACTION verb and answers the question “what?” after and answers the question “what?” after that verb:that verb:

The boy The boy threwthrew the the ballball..

ObjectsObjects

An indirect object also follows an action An indirect object also follows an action verb, but it comes before the direct object.verb, but it comes before the direct object.

Not all sentences have either a direct Not all sentences have either a direct object or an indirect object.object or an indirect object.

The indirect object answers the question The indirect object answers the question “to whom?” or “for whom” after the action “to whom?” or “for whom” after the action verb.verb.

Indirect Object ExamplesIndirect Object Examples My brother My brother gavegave meme a new a new bikebike..

Sam Sam sentsent SteveSteve to the store. to the store.

Joey Joey broughtbrought themthem the test the test resultsresults..

Sally Sally toldtold RichRich a funny a funny jokejoke..

He He soldsold my my MomMom a faulty a faulty refrigeratorrefrigerator..

Object of a PrepositionObject of a Preposition

The object of a preposition is the last word The object of a preposition is the last word in a prepositional phrase.in a prepositional phrase.

Remember, Remember, nothingnothing important ever important ever happens in a prepositional phrase, so happens in a prepositional phrase, so direct objects and indirect objects will direct objects and indirect objects will nevernever be in a prepositional phrase!!! be in a prepositional phrase!!!

The boy pushed the go cart The boy pushed the go cart down the hilldown the hill..

ComplementsComplements

A complement follows a A complement follows a linkinglinking verb and verb and either either renamesrenames the subject or the subject or describesdescribes the subject.the subject.

A complement that renames the subject A complement that renames the subject after a linking verb is called a “after a linking verb is called a “predicate predicate nominative.”nominative.”

A complement that describes the subject A complement that describes the subject after a linking verb is called a after a linking verb is called a “predicate “predicate adjective.”adjective.”

ComplementsComplements

Sylvia Sylvia becamebecame captaincaptain of the volleyball team. of the volleyball team.

James James isis the new the new presidentpresident of the firm. of the firm.

Mr. Smith Mr. Smith waswas my my teacherteacher in 4 in 4thth grade. grade.

Sarah Sarah appearedappeared tiredtired after the game. after the game.

The children The children grewgrew restlessrestless in their chairs. in their chairs.

Ed Ed seemedseemed sadsad because of the defeat. because of the defeat.

Objective ComplementObjective Complement

The The objective complementobjective complement follows both the follows both the action verb and the direct object. action verb and the direct object.

It is a It is a noun or an adjectivenoun or an adjective that that renamesrenames or or describesdescribes the direct object. the direct object.

The committee nominated James The committee nominated James presidentpresident..

We chose to paint the room We chose to paint the room pink.pink.

Determining Sentence PartsDetermining Sentence Parts

1.1. Identify all prepositional phrases. Identify all prepositional phrases. Remember – the subject, verb, direct Remember – the subject, verb, direct object, indirect object and any object, indirect object and any complements will not appear in a complements will not appear in a prepositional phrase!prepositional phrase!

2.2. Locate the verb and determine if it is Locate the verb and determine if it is actionaction or or linkinglinking..

3.3. Ask who or what is “doing” the verb – this Ask who or what is “doing” the verb – this is your subject.is your subject.

Determining Sentence PartsDetermining Sentence Parts

4. If the verb is action, determine if it has a 4. If the verb is action, determine if it has a direct object, an indirect object, or an direct object, an indirect object, or an objective complement. Remember – a objective complement. Remember – a sentence does not have to have any or sentence does not have to have any or all of these. However, if you label all of these. However, if you label something as an indirect object or an something as an indirect object or an objective complement, the sentence objective complement, the sentence must also have a direct object.must also have a direct object.

Determining Sentence PartsDetermining Sentence Parts

5. If the verb is linking, determine if it has a 5. If the verb is linking, determine if it has a predicate nominative or a predicate predicate nominative or a predicate adjective. Remember – a sentence does adjective. Remember – a sentence does not have to have either of these. Also, not have to have either of these. Also, remember predicate nominatives rename remember predicate nominatives rename while predicate adjectives describe.while predicate adjectives describe.

Some PracticeSome Practice

Indicate the syntax of each word highlighted in the Indicate the syntax of each word highlighted in the following sentences.following sentences.

1.1. Beyond the Beyond the treestrees, , wewe could see a large could see a large buckbuck with enormous antlers. with enormous antlers.

2.2. RickyRicky became became angryangry with us. with us.

3.3. JoeJoe gave my gave my sistersister a wonderful a wonderful necklacenecklace for her for her birthdaybirthday..

4.4. Jeff’s Jeff’s teammatesteammates chose chose himhim captaincaptain of the of the squadsquad..

5.5. Here are the Here are the bagelsbagels for for breakfastbreakfast..

Some AnswersSome Answers

Indicate the syntax of each word highlighted in the Indicate the syntax of each word highlighted in the following sentences.following sentences.

op sop s do doBeyond the Beyond the treestrees, , wewe could see a large could see a large buckbuck with enormous antlers. with enormous antlers.

s pas paRickyRicky became became angryangry with us. with us.

ss io io dodo op opJoeJoe gave my gave my sistersister a wonderful a wonderful necklacenecklace for her for her birthdaybirthday..

s do oc ops do oc opJeff’s Jeff’s teammatesteammates chose chose himhim captaincaptain of the of the squadsquad..

ss op opHere are the Here are the bagelsbagels for for breakfastbreakfast..