Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Lesson 193 - Parts of the Sentence - Indirect Objects

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An indirect object is really a prepositional phrase in which the preposition to or for is not stated but understood. It tells to whom or for whom something is done. The indirect object always comes between the verb and the direct object
 
Example: 
She gave me a gift. (indirect object)
She gave to me a gift. (prepositional phrase)
 
The indirect object always modifies the verb. It may have modifiers and be compound. It is used with verbs such as give, tell, send, get, buy, show, build, do, make, save, and read
 
Example: 
She sent the man and me a gift. (indirect object)
She gave to the man and to me a gift. (prepositional phrases)

Instructions: Find the verb, direct object, and indirect object in the following sentences.

1. The new manager offered Jay a higher position.

2. This spring Carl told us his plans for the summer.

3. Many jobs don't pay the employees much money.

4. Mr. Blower read the neighbor children some interesting stories about Australia.

5. Mr. Smith, my broker, sold my parents some stock yesterday.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. The new manager offered Jay a higher position.
    - offered = verb; position = direct object; Jay = indirect object

2. This spring Carl told us his plans for the summer.
    - told = verb; plans = direct object; us = indirect object

3. Many jobs don't pay the employees much money.
    - do pay = verb; money = direct object; employees = indirect object

4. Mr. Blower read the neighbor children some interesting stories about Australia.
    - read = verb; stories = direct object; children = indirect object

5. Mr. Smith, my broker, sold my parents some stock yesterday.
    - sold = verb; stock = direct object; parents = indirect object



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Lesson 393 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation.

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. I like the words of Emerson "The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops--no, but the kind of man the country turns out."

2. The letter to his firm began as follows "Gentlemen We received your last order in May, 1998."

3. Article l, Section l of the Constitution of the United States reads "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives."

4. The councilman began with these words "If we don't act now and work together, our city faces economic ruin, physical deterioration, and cultural decline. The issues are critical, and the system of government under which we now function must be changed."

5. He said "I will join your group tomorrow."


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. I like the words of Emerson: "The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops--no, but the kind of man the country turns out."

2. The letter to his firm began as follows: "Gentlemen: We received your last order in May, 1998." (Two colons)

3. Article l, Section l of the Constitution of the United States reads: "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives."

4. The councilman began with these words: "If we don't act now and work together, our city faces economic ruin, physical deterioration, and cultural decline. The issues are critical, and the system of government under which we now function must be changed."

5. He said, "I will join your group tomorrow." (use only a comma since the quote is not long nor formal)



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Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Lesson 192 - Parts of the Sentence - Indirect Objects

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An indirect object is really a prepositional phrase in which the preposition to or for is not stated but understood. It tells to whom or for whom something is done. The indirect object always comes between the verb and the direct object
 
Example: 
She gave me a gift. (indirect object)
She gave to me a gift. (prepositional phrase)
 
The indirect object always modifies the verb. It may have modifiers and be compound. It is used with verbs such as give, tell, send, get, buy, show, build, do, make, save, and read
 
Example: 
She sent the man and me a gift. (indirect object)
She gave to the man and to me a gift. (prepositional phrases)

Instructions: Find the verb, direct object, and indirect object in the following sentences.

1. Has Terri shown Jeanne and Barbara her new ring?

2. The new highway saved the travelers several miles.

3. Did the workers give the spies confidential information?

4. Will Jim get us tickets to the game?

5. I bought Ila and Jeff two big pieces of cake.


--For answers scroll down.














Answers:

1. Has Terri shown Jeanne and Barbara her new ring?

2. The new highway saved the travelers several miles.

3. Did the workers give the spies confidential information?

4. Will Jim get us tickets to the game?

5. I bought Ila and Jeff two big pieces of cake.



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Lesson 392 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon to separate two complete sentences when the second sentence explains, amplifies, or illustrates the first. 
 
Example: 
Jim had a good idea: He wanted to consult with the builder.

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. There has been no change in our plans. We will leave at 1000 P.M.

2. He stated his plans. He would borrow money; he would secure a plane; he would fly around the world.

3. That morning the people saw the problem. During the night a tree had downed the power lines.

4. Now the men knew what to do. The pressure would be increased in the forward compartment.

5. They were worried about Fred. He would fall asleep at work and spend too much time alone.


--For answers scroll down.












Answers:

1. There has been no change in our plans: We will leave at 10:00 P.M. (two colons)

2. He stated his plans: He would borrow money; he would secure a plane; he would fly around the world.

3. That morning the people saw the problem: During the night a tree had downed the power lines.

4. Now the men knew what to do: The pressure would be increased in the forward compartment.

5. They were worried about Fred: He would fall asleep at work and spend too much time alone.



For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Lesson 191 - Parts of the Sentence - Indirect Objects

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An indirect object is really a prepositional phrase in which the preposition to or for is not stated but understood. It tells to whom or for whom something is done. The indirect object always comes between the verb and the direct object
 
Example: 
She gave me a gift. (indirect object)
She gave to me a gift. (prepositional phrase)
 
The indirect object always modifies the verb. It may have modifiers and be compound. It is used with verbs such as give, tell, send, get, buy, show, build, do, make, save, and read
 
Example: 
She sent the man and me a gift. (indirect object)
She gave to the man and to me a gift. (prepositional phrases)

Instructions: Find the verb, direct object, and indirect object in the following sentences.

1. Has your boss sent you a notice about the next convention?

2. John read his tiny nephew an exciting story.

3. Our father built the family a redwood picnic table.

4. The doctor sent me a bill for his services.

5. We gave my mother a book for her birthday.


--For answers scroll down.












Answers:

1. Has your boss sent you a notice about the next convention?

2. John read his tiny nephew an exciting story.

3. Our father built the family a redwood picnic table.

4. The doctor sent me a bill for his services.

5. We gave my mother a book for her birthday.



For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 391 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon before listed items that are introduced by such words as the following, as follows, thus, and these; by a number; or by any other expression that "points-out." 
 
Example: 
In high school he played the following sports: baseball, basketball, football, and tennis.

Use no colon before a list of predicate nominatives, direct objects, or objects of the preposition. A colon should not hinder the natural flow of the sentence. 
 
Example: 
We will need flour, milk, and sugar. (direct objects)

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. You need these guys Will, Boyd, Jeff, and Jim.

2. She had three personality flaws pride, selfishness, and a temper.

3. The singers will be you, Pam, and Becky.

4. For the camp-out we will need the following things a tent, three sleeping bags, and a gas lantern.

5. Next semester I will be taking four courses Algebra II, English Literature, American History, and Biology III.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. You need these guys: Will, Boyd, Jeff, and Jim.

2. She had three personality flaws: pride, selfishness, and a temper.

3. No colon needed. They are predicate nominatives.

4. For the camp-out we will need the following things: a tent, three sleeping bags, and a gas lantern.

5. Next semester I will be taking four courses: Algebra II, English Literature, American History, and Biology III.



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Saturday, June 13, 2026

Quiz for Lessons 186 - 190 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs (v), subjects (subj), predicate nominatives (pn), direct objects (do), appositives (app), nouns of address (na), adjectives (adj), predicate adjectives (pa), adverbs (adv), prepositions (prep), and objects of the preposition (op) in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases then tell what word they modify.

1. The woman in the green suit is Martha, our favorite neighbor.

2. Oh, Grant, there is no electricity in our house now.

3. The racer ran past in a big hurry.

4. The river past our house winds down into a steep valley.

5. Come in and don't stand outside in the cold.

6. The rookie basketball player was caught off his guard.

7. The mythology stories are well-known and exciting.

8. That old shoe is well-worn and completely worthless.

9. Will you climb up the ladder and through the window and open the door for me?

10. These sentences with more concepts are becoming longer and harder.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. is = v; woman = subj; Martha = pn; neighbor = app; the = adj modifying woman; our/favorite = adj modifying neighbor; in a green suit = p ph modifying woman; in = prep; suit = op; a/green = adj modifying suit

2. is = v; electricity = subj; Grant = na; no = adj modifying electricity; now = adv modifying is; in our house = p ph modifying electricity or is; in = prep; house = op; our = adj modifying house; (oh = interjection; there = introductory there)

3. ran = v; racer = subj; the = adj modifying racer; past = adv modifying ran; in a big hurry = p ph modifying ran; in = prep; hurry = op; a/big = adj modifying hurry

4. winds = v; river = subj; the = adj modifying river; down = adv modifying winds; past our house modifying river/into a steep valley modifying winds = p ph; past/into = prep; house/valley = op; our = adj modifying house; a/steep = adj modifying valley

5. come/do stand = v; you (understood) = subj; in = adv modifying come; n't/outside = adv modifying do stand; in the cold = p ph modifying do stand; in = prep; cold = op; the = adj modifying cold

6. was caught = v; player = subj; the/rookie/basketball = adj modifying player; off his guard = p ph modifying was caught; off = prep; guard = op; his = adj modifying guard

7. are = v; stories = subj; well-known/exciting = pa; the/mythology = adj modifying stories

8. is = v; shoe = subj; well-worn/worthless = pa; that/old = adj modifying shoe; completely = adv modifying worthless

9. will climb/ (will) open = v; you = subj; door = do; the = adj modifying door; up the ladder modifying will climb/through the window modifying will climb/for me modifying will open = p ph; up/through/for = prep; ladder/window/me = op; the = adj modifying ladder; the = adj modifying window

10. are becoming = v; sentences = subj; longer/harder = pa; these = adj modifying sentences; with more concepts = p ph modifying sentences; with = prep; concepts = op; more = adj modifying concepts



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Quiz for Lessons 386 - 390 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. That statement can be found in Volume I pages 98-100 of The Raven The Life of Sam Houston.

2. Dear Harmon's

3. I like what it says in James 520.

4. Dear Sirs

5. I will be here at 1200 P.M. for my money.

6. I enjoyed reading The Army of the Potomac A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton.

7. I couldn't find it in Volume IX pages 3-6.

8. Thanksgiving dinner will be at our place at 230 P.M.

9. A good college text was The American Constitution Its Origins and Development.

10. Revelation 62-8 talks about the four horsemen of the apocalypse.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. That statement can be found in Volume I: pages 98-100 of The Raven: The Life of Sam Houston.

2. Dear Harmon's:

3. I like what it says in James 5:20.

4. Dear Sirs:

5. I will be here at 12:00 P.M. for my money.

6. I enjoyed reading The Army of the Potomac: A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton.

7. I couldn't find it in Volume IX: pages 3-6.

8. Thanksgiving dinner will be at our place at 2:30 P.M.

9. A good college text was The American Constitution: Its Origins and Development.

10. Revelation 6:2-8 talks about the four horsemen of the apocalypse.



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Friday, June 12, 2026

Lesson 190 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs (v), subjects (subj), predicate nominatives (pn), direct objects (do), appositives (app), nouns of address (na), adjectives (adj), predicate adjectives (pa), adverbs (adv), prepositions (prep), and objects of the preposition (op) in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases then tell what word they modify.

1. Do you remember the name of the new senator from Utah?

2. Our work on the space shuttle requires all sorts of ability and knowledge.

3. The new rocket is troublesome for many nations.

4. Who painted the outside of this house before?

5. Wait for me outside.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. do remember = v; you = subj; name = do; the = adj modifying name; of the new senator modifying name/from Utah modifying senator = p ph; of/from = prep; senator/Utah = op; the/new = adj modifying senator

2. requires = v; work = subj; sorts = do; our = adj modifying work; all = adj modifying sorts; on the space shuttle modifying work/of ability and knowledge modifying sorts = p ph; on/of = prep; shuttle/ability/knowledge = op; the space = adj modifying shuttle

3. is = v; rocket = subj; troublesome = pa; the/new = adj modifying rocket; for many nations = p ph modifying troublesome; for = prep; nations = op; many = adj modifying nations

4. painted = v; who = subj; outside = do; the = adj modifying outside; before = adv modifying painted; of this house = p ph modifying outside; of = prep; house = op; this = adj modifying house

5. wait = v; you (understood) = subj; outside = adv modifying wait; for me = p ph modifying wait; for = prep; me = op



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Lesson 390 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon between the numbers referring to volume and the pages of books and magazines. 
 
Example: 
It is found in Volume II: pages 22-23.

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. That statement can be found in Volume X pages 198-200.

2. I found that information in Volume 54 pages 31-34.

3. Look in that magazine Volume 24 pages 3-4.

4. Volume VI pages 245-247 will have the information that you need.

5. Check the encyclopedia Volume 20 pages 105 -106.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. That statement can be found in Volume X: pages 198-200.

2. I found that information in Volume 54: pages 31-34.

3. Look in that magazine Volume 24: pages 3-4.

4. Volume VI: pages 245-247 will have the information that you need.

5. Check the encyclopedia Volume 20: pages 105 -106.



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Thursday, June 11, 2026

Lesson 189 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs (v), subjects (subj), predicate nominatives (pn), direct objects (do), appositives (app), nouns of address (na), adjectives (adj), predicate adjectives (pa), adverbs (adv), prepositions (prep), and objects of the preposition (op) in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases then tell what word they modify.

1. A building in ancient Rome was destroyed accidentally by an old buried bomb.

2. The welcomed blue shadows stretched across the road and the park.

3. On a hill in Hawaii stands an old bunker.

4. Bill walked along the ridge of the mountain during the snow storm.

5. This down pillow like a foam one is really soft.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. was destroyed = v; building = subj; a = adj modifying building; accidentally = adv modifying was destroyed; in ancient Rome modifying building/by an old buried bomb modifying was destroyed = p ph; in/by = prep; Rome/bomb = op; ancient = adj modifying Rome; an/old/buried = adj modifying bomb

2. stretched = v; shadows = subj; the/welcomed/blue = adj modifying shadows; across the road and the park = p ph modifying stretched; across = prep; road/park = op; the = adj modifying road; the = adj modifying park

3. stands = v; bunker = subj; an/old = adj modifying bunker; on a hill modifying stands/in Hawaii modifying hill = p ph; on/in = prep; hill/Hawaii = op; a = adj modifying hill

4. walked = v; Bill = subj; along the ridge modifying walked/of the mountain modifying ridge/during the snow storm modifying walked = p ph; along/of/during = prep; ridge/mountain/storm = op; the = adj modifying ridge; the = adj modifying mountain; the/snow = adj modifying storm

5. is = v; pillow = subj; soft = pa; this/down = adj modifying pillow; really = adv modifying soft; like a foam one = p ph modifying soft; like = prep; one = op; a/foam = adj modifying one



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Lesson 389 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon between the title and subtitle of a book. 
 
Example:
The Wide World: A High School Geography

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. Have you examined for possible adoption Warriner's English Grammar and Composition Complete Course?

2. The Advanced Composition A Book of Models for Writing has been used for many years.

3. I didn't like Episodes in American History An Inquiry Approach as a history text.

4. Men and Nations A World History covers what we need very well.

5. The American Nation A History of the United States seems too advanced for our grade level.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. Have you examined for possible adoption Warriner's English Grammar and Composition: Complete Course?

2. The Advanced Composition: A Book of Models for Writing has been used for many years.

3. I didn't like Episodes in American History: An Inquiry Approach as a history text.

4. Men and Nations: A World History covers what we need very well.

5. The American Nation: A History of the United States seems too advanced for our grade level.



For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Lesson 188 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs (v), subjects (subj), predicate nominatives (pn), direct objects (do), appositives (app), nouns of address (na), adjectives (adj), predicate adjectives (pa), adverbs (adv), prepositions (prep), and objects of the preposition (op) in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases then tell what word they modify.

1. The defendant's lawyer was not available for comment.

2. Sherry, where have you placed my book of jokes?

3. I still live in that wood house near the railroad tracks.

4. The rooms of the office were old and musty.

5. I love everything about your idea for a party.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. was = v; lawyer = subj; available = pa; the/defendant's = adj modifying lawyer; not = adv modifying was; for comment = p ph modifying available; for = prep; comment = op

2. have placed = v; you = subj; book = do; Sherry = na; my = adj modifying book; where = adv modifying have placed; of jokes = p ph modifying book; of = prep; jokes = op

3. live = v; I = subj; still = adv modifying live; in that wood house modifying live/near the railroad tracks modifying house = p ph; in/near = prep; house/tracks = op; that/wood = adj modifying house; the/railroad =adj modifying tracks

4. were = v; rooms = subj; old/musty = pa; the = adj modifying rooms; of the office = p ph modifying rooms; of = prep; office = op; the = adj modifying office

5. love = v; I = subj; everything = do; about you idea modifying everything/for a party modifying idea = p ph; about/for = prep; idea/party = op; your = adj modifying idea; a = adj modifying party



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Lesson 388 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon to separate chapter and verse referring to a specific Bible selection. 
 
Example: 
Everyone should follow Proverbs 3:5.

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. What is the meaning of Job 5 7?

2. Micah 6 8 is an often quoted verse.

3. Isaiah 9 6 is a verse used at Christmas time.

4. I think that Malachi 3 10 is ignored by most of the Christian world.

5. One of my favorite verses is Matthew 6 33.


--For answers scroll down.













Answers:

1. What is the meaning of Job 5:7?

2. Micah 6:8 is an often quoted verse.

3. Isaiah 9:6 is a verse used at Christmas time.

4. I think that Malachi 3:10 is ignored by most of the Christian world.

5. One of my favorite verses is Matthew 6:33.



For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.