Lesson 111 - Parts of the Sentence - Subject/Verb, Predicate Nominatives, Direct Objects

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A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb (predicate - some grammar books use the word predicate, but I will use verb). A verb shows action or state of being. Examples: The bell rang. The boy is here. The subject tells who or what about the verb. Examples: The bell rang. The boy is here. When finding the subject and the verb in a sentence, always find the verb first and then say who or what followed by the verb. Example: The bell rang. Find the verb - rang. Now say who or what rang? Bell rang. Bell is the subject.

A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn. The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher. A predicate nominative will never be in a prepositional phrase.

A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or what? Tree answers the question so tree is the direct object. If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. Example: The car sped past. The car sped whom or what? Nothing answers the question so the sentence has no direct object. The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, predicate nominatives, and direct objects in these sentences.

1. Our neighbors are from Australia.

2. Our best friends are visiting England.

3. Was Samuel ever in the army?

4. The basketball coach was a great example for the boys.

5. Was the circus a thrilling time for you?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. neighbors = subject / are = verb

2. friends = subject / are visiting = verb / England = direct object

3. Samuel = subject / was = verb

4. coach = subject / was = verb / example = predicate nominative

5. circus = subject / was = verb / time = predicate nominative

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Quiz for Lessons 106 - 110 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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Instruction: Find the subjects, verbs, direct objects, and predicate nominatives in these sentences. They may be sentences with direct objects, compound verbs with separate direct objects, predicate nominatives, or without either a direct object or predicate nominative.

1. Someone must have dialed my number by mistake.

2. They hung up quickly.

3. I hate phone calls.

4. The girl combed her hair and brushed her teeth for her date.

5. The boy and the girl love their dogs.

6. Joe should have been captain of the debate team.

7. The soldier cleaned and polished his rifle.

8. The girls fished for hours without a bite.

9. Today was the warmest day in years.

10. You must do your lessons correctly.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. someone = subject / must have dialed = verb / number = direct object

2. they = subject / hung = verb

3. I = subject / hate = verb / calls = direct object

4. girl = subject / combed = verb / hair = direct object // brushed = verb / teeth = direct object

5. boy, girl = subjects / love = verb / dogs = direct object

6. Joe = subject / should have been = verb / captain = predicate nominative

7. soldier = subject / cleaned, polished = verbs / rifle = direct object

8. girls = subject / fished = verb

9. today = subject / was = verb / day = predicate nominative

10. you = subject / must do = verb / lessons = direct object

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Lesson 110 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or what? Tree answers the question so tree is the direct object.

If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. Example: The car sped past. The car sped whom or what? Nothing answers the question so the sentence has no direct object.

The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. The direct object will not equal the subject as the predicate nominative, nor does it have a linking verb as a predicate nominative sentences does.

Direct objects may be compound. Example: The car hit the tree and the fence. The car hit whom or what? Tree and fence answer the question so tree and fence are the direct objects.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, direct objects, and predicate nominatives in these sentences. They may be sentences with direct objects, compound verbs with separate direct objects, predicate nominatives, or without either a direct object or predicate nominative.

1. Jeanne was the chairperson of the dance committee.

2. The boys at the park played tag and ran races.

3. The baker cut and wrapped the bread.

4. The large round spaceship rose over the quiet city.

5. Jeff and Carl speak the same language.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Jeanne = subject / was = verb / chairperson = predicate nominative

2. boys = subject / played = verb / tag = direct object // ran = verb / races = direct object

3. baker = subject / cut, wrapped = verbs / bread = direct object

4. spaceship = subject / rose = verb / (There is no predicate nominative or direct object.)

5. Jeff, Carl = subjects / speak = verb / language = direct object

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Lesson 109 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or what? Tree answers the question so tree is the direct object.

If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. Example: The car sped past. The car sped whom or what? Nothing answers the question so the sentence has no direct object.

The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. The direct object will not equal the subject as the predicate nominative, nor does it have a linking verb as a predicate nominative sentences does.

Direct objects may be compound. Example: The car hit the tree and the fence. The car hit whom or what? Tree and fence answer the question so tree and fence are the direct objects.

A sentence with a compound verb may have two different direct objects in it. Example: The dog ate the meat and drank some water. The direct object for the verb ate is meat, and the direct object for the verb drank is water. The dog didn't drink the meat or eat the water.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and direct objects in these sentences.

1. The football player changed his clothes and took a shower.

2. The speaker read his speech and answered some questions.

3. The carpenter fixed the door and painted the house.

4. The little girl played the piano and sang a song.

5. My neighbor mowed his lawn and watered the flowers.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. player = subject / changed = verb / clothes = direct object // took = verb / shower = direct object

2. speaker = subject / read = verb / speech = direct object // answered = verb / questions = direct object

3. carpenter = subject / fixed = verb / door = direct object // painted = verb / house = direct object

4. girl = subject / played = verb / piano = direct object // sang = verb / song = direct object

5. neighbor= subject / mowed = verb / lawn = direct object // watered = verb / flowers = direct object

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Lesson 108 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or what? Tree answers the question so tree is the direct object.

If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. Example: The car sped past. The car sped whom or what? Nothing answers the question so the sentence has no direct object.

The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. The direct object will not equal the subject as the predicate nominative, nor does it have a linking verb as a predicate nominative sentences does.

Direct objects may be compound. Example: The car hit the tree and the fence. The car hit whom or what? Tree and fence answer the question so tree and fence are the direct objects.

A sentence may have a compound verb with one direct object for both verbs. Example: The man mowed and raked the lawn. The lawn received the action of being both mowed and raked by the man.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and direct objects in these sentences.

1. The worker sanded and painted the bookcase.

2. The cat chased and caught the mouse.

3. Mike wrapped and sent the package.

4. Mother cooked and served the meal to everyone at the party.

5. The cowboy rode and broke the wild horse.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. worker = subject / sanded, painted = verbs / bookcase = direct object

2. cat = subject / chased, caught = verbs / mouse = direct object

3. Mike = subject / wrapped, sent = verbs / package = direct object

4. Mother = subject / cooked, served = verbs / meal = direct object

5. cowboy = subject / rode, broke = verbs / horse = direct object

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Lesson 107 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or what? Tree answers the question so tree is the direct object.

If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. Example: The car sped past. The car sped whom or what? Nothing answers the question so the sentence has no direct object.

The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. The direct object will not equal the subject as the predicate nominative, nor does it have a linking verb as a predicate nominative sentences does.

Direct objects may be compound. Example: The car hit the tree and the fence. The car hit whom or what? Tree and fence answer the question so tree and fence are the direct objects.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and direct objects in these sentences.

1. The students of these lessons have studied subjects and verbs.

2. The hungry man ate cake, pie and rolls continually.

3. John wants a bicycle and a wagon for Christmas.

4. Everyone at the party enjoyed the hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips and drinks.

5. Grandma left her umbrella and coat at our house.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. students = subject / have studied = verb / subjects, verbs = direct objects

2. man = subject / ate = verb / cake, pie, rolls = direct objects

3. John = subject / wants = verb / bicycle, wagon = direct objects

4. Everyone = subject / enjoyed = verb / hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, drinks = direct objects

5. Grandma = subject / left = verb / umbrella, coat = direct objects

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Lesson 106 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or what? Tree answers the question so tree is the direct object.

If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. Example: The car sped past. The car sped whom or what? Nothing answers the question so the sentence has no direct object.

The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. The direct object will not equal the subject as the predicate nominative, nor does it have a linking verb as a predicate nominative sentences does.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and direct objects in the following sentences.

1. Paul built a doll house for Hayley.

2. The club members held a party in the park.

3. The audience cheered their favorite actors during the play.

4. Tiny children prefer short stories.

5. Terri really dialed a wrong number last night.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Paul = subject / built = verb / house = direct object

2. members = subject / held = verb / party = direct object

3. audience = subject / cheered = verb / actors = direct object

4. children = subject / prefer = verb / stories = direct object

5. Terri = subject / dialed = verb / number = direct object

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Quiz for Lessons 101 - 105 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and predicate nominatives in these sentences. Some may have compound subjects, verbs, or predicate nominatives. Some may not have a predicate nominative.

1. My favorite musical instruments are the radio, television, and stereo.

2. Two popular trees are the linden and the honey locust.

3. The winner will be either Jeff or Will.

4. Are those people our neighbors and friends?

5. Baseball and golf are outdoor sports.

6. I will be home tomorrow.

7. Your doctor should be a well-trained individual.

8. Jenny and Emily are close friends.

9. The grand prize was a trip to Hawaii and a cruise to Alaska.

10. Mr. Hatch is a member of congress and a song writer.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. instruments = subject, are = verb, radio, television, stereo = predicate nominatives

2. trees = subject, are = verb, linden, honey locust = predicate nominatives

3. winner = subject, will be = verb, Jeff, Will = predicate nominatives

4. people = subject, are = verb, neighbors, friends = predicate nominatives

5. baseball, golf = subjects, are = verb, sports = predicate nominative

6. I = subject, will be = verb

7. doctor = subject, should be = verb, individual = predicate nominative

8. Jenny, Emily = subject, are = verb, friends = predicate nominative

9. prize = subject, was = verb, trip, cruise = predicate nominatives

10. Mr. Hatch = subject, is = verb, member, writer = predicate nominatives

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Lesson 105 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher. Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a father. Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. Example: Mr. Johanson is a teacher, father, and my neighbor.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and predicate nominatives in these sentences. Some may have compound subjects, verbs, or predicate nominatives. Some may not have a predicate nominative.

1. An honest man should have been the leader of the country.

2. Curt's favorite toy is his big truck.

3. Students' favorite food must be pizza.

4. The alarm must be ringing again and again.

5. My homes have been a school house, an old apartment, and a moved-in house.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. man = subject, should have been = verb, leader = predicate nominative

2. toy = subject, is = verb, truck = predicate nominative

3. food = subject, must be = verb, pizza = predicate nominative

4. alarm = subject, must be ringing = verb

5. homes = subject, have been = verb, school house, apartment, house = predicate nominatives

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Lesson 104 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher. Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a father. Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. Example: Mr. Johanson is a teacher, father, and my neighbor.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and predicate nominatives in these sentences. Some may have compound subjects, verbs, or predicate nominatives. Some may not have a predicate nominative.

1. Abbott and Costello were famous actors and a comedy team.

2. Radio and television have become old inventions and household necessities.

3. Many neglected children become really unhappy grownups.

4. The car has been here for a long time.

5. She was a model and became a movie star.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Abbott, Costello = subjects, were = verb, actors, team = predicate nominatives

2. radio, television = subjects, have become = verb, inventions, necessities = predicate nominatives

3. children = subject, become = verb, grownups = predicate nominatives

4. car = subject, has been = verb

5. she = subject, was, became = verbs, model, movie star = predicate nominatives

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Lesson 103 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher. Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a father. Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. Example: Mr. Johanson is a teacher, father, and my neighbor.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and predicate nominatives in these sentences. Some may have compound subjects, verbs, or predicate nominatives.

1. One traitor and enemy to his country was Benedict Arnold.

2. Two loved Presidents were Lincoln and Washington.

3. A ruby is a beautiful stone.

4. The roads in the mountains can be long dusty trails.

5. The location to the mine was and still is a secret.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. traitor, enemy = subjects, was = verb, Benedict Arnold = predicate nominative

2. Presidents = subject, were = verb, Lincoln, Washington = predicate nominatives

3. ruby = subject, is = verb, stone = predicate nominative

4. roads = subject, can be = verb, trails = predicate nominatives

5. location = subject, was, is = verbs, secret = predicate nominatives

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Lesson 102 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher. Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a father. Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. Example: Mr. Johanson is a teacher, father, and my neighbor.

Instructions: List the subject, verb, and predicate nominatives in the following sentences.

1. My favorite pets were a squirrel and a rabbit.

2. Our chief crops are corn, wheat, and hay.

3. Mr. Jones is an accountant and a big game hunter.

4. The owners of the race car include Bill, Pete, and Sam.

5. My favorite holidays are Christmas and Easter.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. pets = subject, were = verb, squirrel, rabbit = predicate nominatives

2. crops = subject, are = verb, corn, wheat, hay = predicate nominatives

3. Mr. Jones = subject, is = verb, accountant, hunter = predicate nominatives

4. owners = subject, include = verb, Bill, Pete, Sam = predicate nominatives

5. holidays = subject, are = verb, Christmas, Easter = predicate nominatives

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Lesson 101 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher. Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a father. Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Instructions: Find the verb, subject, and predicate nominatives in these sentences.

1. Ann is a new mother.

2. The black dog in the yard was a large Doberman.

3. The tall boy has been our best basketball player.

4. My uncle became a rich computer expert.

5. Mr. Bush may be our next President.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Ann = subject, is = verb, mother = predicate nominative

2. dog = subject, was = verb, Doberman = predicate nominative

3. boy = subject, has been = verb, player = predicate nominative

4. uncle = subject, became = verb, expert = predicate nominative

5. Mr. Bush = subject, may be = verb, president = predicate nominative

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Quiz for Lessons 96-100 - Parts of the Sentence - Subject/Verb

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Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, interjections, introductory there, and conjunctions in the following sentences. Remember that subjects and verbs can be compound.

1. There were no pies, cakes or cookies on the shelves.

2. Oh, neither Jane nor Tarzan would return to civilization.

3. Barbara and her friends sat on the floor, ate goodies, and listened to records.

4. The brothers swam, fished, and rowed the boat on their vacation.

5. Wow, this lesson is hard but was fun.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. pies, cakes, cookies - subjects; were - verb; there - introductory; or - conjunction

2. Jane, Tarzan - subjects; would return - verb; oh - interjection; neither, nor - conjunction

3. Barbara, friends - subjects; sat, ate, listened - verbs; and, and - conjunctions

4. brothers - subject; swam, fished, rowed - verbs; and - conjunction

5. lesson - subject; is, was - verbs; wow - interjection; but - conjunction

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