Lesson 111 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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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.  The subject tells who or what about the verb.  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
     Who or what rang?
     The bell rang, so bell is the subject.
     The bell rang.

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.  The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals.

     Example:
     Mr. Johanson is a teacher.
     Mr. Johanson equals a teacher.

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. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object.

 

     Example: 

     The car hit the tree. 

     The car hit whom or what? 

     Tree answers the question, so tree is the direct object.

     The car hit the tree. 

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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