The Parts of a Sentence Subject, Predicate, Complement ° A. Identifying the Parts of a Sentence In the following paragraphs, identify each of the numbered italicize words, using these abbreviations S—subject p.a. predicate adjective | vy. verb do. direct object p.n. predicate nominative i.0. indirect object EXAMPLE Are you a mystery [1] fan? 1 pa Sir Arthur Conan Doyle certainly gave [1] readers wonderful [2] gift when he [3] created the character of Sherlock Holmes. [4] Holmes is a [5] master of the science of deduction. He [6] obser seemingly insignificant (7] clues, applies logical reasoning, and reach: simple yet astounding conclusions. The Hound of the Baskervilles an excellent [8] example of how Holmes solves a baffling [9] 957 The [10] residents of a rural area are afraid of a supernatural dog ht [11] kills people at night. Helpless against this beast, they seek the [12] services of Sherlock Holmes. Using logic, he solves the mystet? and relieves the people's [13] fear. This story is [14] one of Conan Doyle's best because itis both [15] eerie and mystifying. 86 SED eres at sereneB.lde:. ‘fying and Punctuating the Kinds of ‘ontences Copy the last word of each of the following sentences. Then, punctuate cach with the correct end mark. Classify each sentence as imperative, declarative, interrogative, or exclamatory. EXAM 1. Sherlock Holmes has many dedicated fans 1. fans, declarative 16, How clever Sherlock Holmes is 17. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes 18, Have you read any of these stories 19. I particularly like the stories in which Holmes confronts the evil Professor Moriarty 20, Read just one of these stories, and see why millions of mystery fans love Sherlock Holmes The Sentence In casual conversation, people often leave out parts of sentences. In writing, however, it is better to use complete sentences most of the time, They help to make meaning clear to the reader. 2a. A sentence is a word or word group that contains a subject and a verb and that expresses a complete thought. A sentence fragment is a word or word group that is capitalized and Punctuated as a sentence but that does not contain both a subject and 4 verb or does not express a complete thought. FRAGMENT SENTENCE Was waiting by the door. [no subject} The clerk was waiting by the door. FRAGMENT SENTENCE The room with the high ceiling. [no verb] The room with the high ceiling glowed in the sunset. FRAGMENT SENTENCE After you have finished the test. not a complete thought] Exit quietly after you have finished the tes. Some sentences cont EXAMPLES, understood subject (you). [You] Stop! [You] Pass the asparagus, please Cr) Reference Note For information on how to correct sentence fragments, see Chapter 18. For information on punctuating sentences, see page 311 comruren rie Sl Many style-checking soft ware programs can help you identify sentence frag ments. If you have access to such a program, use it to help you evaluate your writing, Reference Note For more about under- stood subjects, see page 97. eos Identify and correct sen. tence fragments. Identify the subject ofa sentence. The Sentence 7CED Mentifying Senten od Revising Fragments jecide whether each ventence fragy talization and pi jgment, revise it to make correct capitalization and p EXAMPLES 1. here are your glass 1. Here are your 9 ous before 2 2 1. on Monday or later 1 2. patiently waiting for the mai 3. will you be there tomorrow 4. four people in a small car 5, just yesterday I discovered 6. two strikes and no one on base 7. it runs smoothly 8, leaning far over the railing 9. give mea hand 10. while waiting in line at the 11. on the way to the scien 12. stand up 13, learning English 14, when is the marathon 13. itis time 16. to the left of the sp 17. romping along the shore th 18, it is theirs 19, you surprised me, Ellen 20. how you are spiral st Subject and Predicate 2b. The subject tells whom or what the sentence is abo and the predicate says something about the subjectIn the ‘ollowing examples, the subjects are separated from the predi- cates by blue vertical lines. Notice that the subject and the predicate nly one word each, or they may be more than one word. Coyotes | were howling in the distance. The telephone in the lobby | rang. The woman wearing the red blouse | is my aunt. three examples, the words that appear to the left of the | line make up the complete subject. The words to the right of the vertical line make up the complete predicate, ‘The subject may appear anywhere in the sentence—at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end, verti EXAMPLES In the dim light, the eager scientist examined the cave. Does Brian's car have a CD player? On the table stood a silver vase, CELLED identifying the Complete Subject Identify the complete subject of each of the following sentences. EXAMPLE 1. The art of quilting has been popular in America for a long time. 1. The art of quilting 1. Ever since colonial times, Americans have made quilts. 2, Traditional designs, with names like Honeycomb, Tumbling Blocks, and Double Diamond, have been handed down from generation to generation, 3. The designs on this page are quilt blocks from a modern quilt 4. They certainly don’t look like Great-grandmother’s quilts! 5. However, quilting techniques have stayed basically the same for well over a hundred years. 6. Small scraps of bright cloth are still painstakingly stitched together to create each block 7. Asin many antique quilts, each quilt block shown here was designed and sewn by a different person. 8. Some of the designs are simple. 9. In others, colorful details bring circus scenes to life. 10. A dark background is sometimes chosen to set off the brilliant colors of a quilt. Subject and Predicate rouwriting Complete Preslicates c=_> Tonite each ofthe following items, adding » complete predicstey serve a complete sentence, Be sure t0 use correct capitalization ang punctuation. 4. that famous painting EXAMPLE 1 That famous painting sold for three milion 1. justice 6, these guitars 2. some commercials 7. the bicycle on the porch S thestore on the comer the family reunion 4. the woman next door 9. aband 5, one way to study 10. the best route The Subject 2c. The main word or word group that tell: sentence is about is called the simple subject. is whom or what the The complete subject consists of the simple subject and any words phrases, or clauses that modify the simple subject. EXAMPLES A triumphant Gloria Estefan stepped up to the micopios Reference Note ‘A compound noun, such complete subject A triumphant Gloria Estefan aes ode cones | more about compound Out of the beaker rose a foul-smelling foam. nouns, see page 50. complete subject a foul-smelling foam Did you make the grits, Travis? complete subject you simple subject. you EDDB in isto, he em stot genera testo the | subject ues otherwise indicated, GESEEZD writing complete sentences Make cach of the following fragments a sentence by adding \aemuty te complete ; leery pate subject, Underline each simple subject. identity the simple predicate of azentence EXAMPLE 1, Did ___ watch the Super Bowl? 1. Did your litte brother watch the Super Bow!” acon 90 LETTE 1 ro ofa Serrercei vying at the moon, 2, __ can make the pizza. 3. needed for this recipe. 4, Was ___ the person who won the match? 5, rose and soared out over the sea. 6, —— stood on the stage singing. 7, __ were late for their classes. 8, Over in the next town is _. 9, Buzzing around the room was ___. 10, In the middle of the yard grew The Predicate 2d. The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or word group that tells something about the subject. ‘The complete predicate consists of a verb and all the words that describe the verb and complete its meaning. EXAMPLES — The ambulance raced out of the hospital driveway and down. the street. complete predicate raced out of the hospital driveway and down the street simple predicate. raced ego may have borrowed my book. complete predicate may have borrowed my book simple predicate may have borrowed Are you following Mr. Fayed's advice? complete predicate Are following Mr. Fayed's advice simple predicate Are following Notice that the simple predicate may be a single verb or a verb phrase (a verb with one or more helping verbs). rE TFs & rice ‘When you are identifying the simple predicate in a sentence, be sure to include all parts of a verb phrase. EXAMPLE Should Marshal Ney have used the infantry at Waterloo? [The simple predicate is the verb phrase Should have used. The complete predicate is Should have used the infantry at Waterioo.| Identify the complete predicate of a sentence. Identify the subject of a sentence. Subject and Predicate 91GRAMMAR 92 2 ‘The Parts of a Sentence imple predicate une (NOTE) in this book, the word verb refers: otherwise indicated. 4 Identifying the Comp: and Verb For each of the following senten the verb ot ver! © Predicate aces, write the complete predicate p phrase in each complete predicate Then, unde 4. Surfing and snow skiing are different in many ways 1. are different in many ways EXAMPLE warm-weather sport of surfing uses the force of inco vity of snow skiing relies on gravity. with only a surfboard, a flotation 1. The 2. The wintertime acti 3. Surfers can pursue their sport vest, a swimsuit, and a safety line. 4, A skier’s equipment includes ski boots, ski cables, ski poles, warm clothing, and goggles. 5, Under their own power, surfers paddle out to their starting plas, far from shore. 6. Must a skier buy a ticket for a sk-lft ride to the top of the mounts? 7. Oddly enough, some important similarities exist between suring and skiing 8, Both depend on the cooperation of nature for pleasant weather and good waves or good snow 9. Do both surfing and snow skiing require coordination ‘more than strength? 10. In fact, each of these sports would probably make an excellent cross-training activity during the other's off-season. (GEEZ writing complete Sentences Make each of the following sentence fragments a complet sen! by adding a subject, a predicate, or both. Be sure to add correct capitalization and punctuation. EXAMPLE is with bindings, safety and balan 4. the barking dog 1. We were kept awake by the barking dog. 1, the trouble with my class schedule 2. the legs of the table 3. appeared deserted 4, my billionaire aunt from Det 4. my ym Detroit 5. thousands of screaming fans6. my grar«tparents in Oaxaca 7. thought quickly 8, afer the intermission 9, until sunset 10. the science fair Distinguishing Between Sentence Fragments and Sentences; Identifying Subjects and Predicates Identify each word group as a sentence () or a sentence fragment (F). Then, for each sentence, write the simple subject, underlining it once, and the simple predicate (verb), underlining it twice. EXAMPLE 1, The talented musicians played well together. 1. S—musicians—played 1. Jazz music filled the room. 2. Supporting the other instruments, the piano carried the melody. 3. The saxophonist, with lazy, lingering notes. 4. Beside him, the bass player added depth to the band. 5. A female vocalist with a deep, rich voice. 6. Charmed the audience with her delivery. 7. The band’s star performer was the drummer. 8. For most of the evening, she stayed in the background. 9. Until the last half-hour. 10. Then she dazzled everyone with her brilliant, high-speed technique. Finding the Subject To find the subject of a sentence, find the verb first. Then, ask “Who?” or “What?” before the verb. EXAMPLES — Here you can swim year-round. [The verb is can swim. Who ‘an swim? You can swim. You is the subject.) There is Aunt lvory's new truck. [What is there? Truck is. Truck is the subject.] Into the pond jumped the frog. [What jumped? Frog jumped. Frog is the subject.) Please close the window. [Who is to close the window? You ‘are—that is, the person spoken to. You is the understood subject.) (PWG Reference Note For information on the understood subject, see page 97. Identify the subject of a sentence, Subject and Predicate 93cz Identifying Subjects 2d Verbs Sram verb and its subject in cach ofthe Following sent, Be eure to include all parts of a verb phrase 4. tong before the equal rights movement of he professions 1. were exceling verb; women—subject 4 < = = < rs cI _ Anne Bissell ran a earpet sweeper business in the late 18005, Fora time, she served as corporation president. Under her direction, the company sold millions of sweepers In the ate nineteenth century, a journalist named Nellie Bly reported on social injustice. 5, On assignments, she would often wear disguises. 6. Ida Wells-Barnett became editor and part owner of the Menpls Free Speech in 1892. 7. By the early 1930s, she had been crusading for forty years gine racial injustice and for suffrage. 8. At the end of her fourth term as general of the Salvation Arm Evangeline Booth retired in 1939, 9. Booth's efforts helped to make the Salvation Army a financials organization. 10, She also improved many Salvation Army services. Reference Note 2e, The subject of a verb is never in a prepositional phrase. For more information Se EXAMPLES Most of the women voted. [Who voted? Most votes Shae eos Te Wome Is the object nthe preposlonal prs of fe women, One of the parakeets in the pet shop looks like ous" looks? One looks. Parakeets and pet shop are each pst? prepositional phrase | ‘Are two of the books missing? [What are missing? T°! missing. Books is the object in the prepositional phi the books.} : CPN A prepositional phrase includes Preposition, and any modifiers ofthat abject. EXAMPLES next to Jorge bythe opel door onthe Inthe photograph for all of them instead” 4 preposition, the object ofthe 94 (GETED re ors of sentencePrep al phrases can be especially misleading when the sub- ject folle erb, EXAMPLE round the corner from our house is a store. [What is? store is, Neither corner nor house can be the subject because each is part of a prepositional phrase.) Ga > identifying Verbs and Subjects Identify the verb and the subject in each of the following sentences. EXAMPLE 1. Most of the students in our class have enjoyed discussing our town's folklore. 1. have enjoyed—verb; Most—subject 1, Many regions of the United States have local legends. 2. One pine-forested area in New Jersey is supposedly inhabited by the Jersey Devil. 3. This fearsome monster reportedly chases campers and wayward travelers through the woods. 4, In contrast, Oregon is haunted by numerous legends of the less aggressive Bigfoot. 5. This humanlike creature supposedly hides in heavily forested areas. 6. Its shaggy coat of hair looks like a bear’s fur. 7. According to legend, Bigfoot is gentle and shy by nature, avoiding contact with strangers. 8, Stories from the Lake Champlain area tell about a monster resembling a sea serpent in the depths of the lake. 9. Many sightings of this beast have been reported to authorities. 10. No one, however, has ever taken a convincing photograph of the monster. Sentences That Ask Questions Questions often begin with a verb, a helping verb, or a word such as what, when, where, how, or why. The subject of a question usually follows the verb or helping verb. EXAMPLES How is the movie different from the book? ‘Where is the CD I gave you? Does she have a ride home? In questions that begin with a helping verb, like the third example above, the subject comes between the helping verb and the main verb. Ta & raves In many sentences, you can find the subject and the verb more easily if you ross out any prepositional phrases. CULL EXAMPLE Several ofthe puzale pieces are under the sofa, SUBJECT Several VERB are ~ [identity the subject of 2 sentence. Subject and Predicate 95ng th on into a statement You can find the subject by tri then What?” before it and then finding the verb and asking "WI EXAMPLES Was the train late? becomes Th was late. (What vas late? The train was) as she answered the letter? becomes She has answered he letter. [Who has answered? She ! Sentences Beginning with There or Here | “The word there or here is almost never the subject ofa sentence, Roth there and here may be used as adverbs telling where. To find the subjeq ina sentence beginning with there or here, ask “Who?” or “What?” before the verb and the adverb. EXAMPLES There are my cousins. [Who are there? Cousins are] | rs < = rt ry Pr Cc Here i your backpack. [What is here? Backpackis] Sometimes there starts a sentence but does not tell where. In ths use, there is not an adverb but an expletive. An expletive is a word that fills out a sentence’s structure but does not add to its meaning, vors EXAMPLES There is a drawbridge over the river. [There adds no information to the sentence, which could be rewritten as A dravibridge is over the river.| vees ‘There are insects in our garden. [The sentence could be rewritten as Insects are in our garden.] To find the subject in such a sentence, omit there and ask "Whe?" er what?" before the verb. EXAMPLE There was a clerk at the counter. [Who was? A clerk was! GEEEEED Heentitying subjects and Verbs Identify the subjects and the verbs in the following sentences. EXAMPLE 1. Willyou help me study for my history test? 1. you—subject: will help—verb 1. There are many questions on American history in my book. oe 2. Naturally, there are answers, too. arene) 3. Under whose flag did Columbus sail? sentence 4, Here is Plymouth Rock, Anita, 5. How much do you know about the Lost Ee cher? Colony?6, What does squatter’s rights mean? 1n what area did most of the early Dutch colonists settle? there disagreement among settlers in Massachusetts? 9, What kinds of schools did the colonists’ children attend? 10. ‘ow did people travel in colonial America? The Understood Subject Ina request or a command, the subject of a sentence is usually not stated. In such sentences, you is the understood subject. Cry REQUEST Please answer the phone. [Who is to answer? You are—that is, the person spoken to.] COMMAND Listen carefully to his question. [Who is to listen? You—the person spoken to—are.] Sometimes a request or a command includes a name. EXAMPLES Amber, please send us your new address. Line up, class. Amber and class are not subjects in the sentences above, These jords are called nouns of direct address. They identify the person spoken to or addressed. You is the understood subject of each sentence. EXAMPLES — Amber, [you] please send us your new address. {You line up, class. Writing Requests or Commands sing the following five situations, write sentences that are requests or ‘ommands. In two of your sentences, use a noun of direct address. =XAMPLES Setting Person Speaking _—Person Addressed 1. castle queen wizard 2. kitchen parent teenager 1. Wizard, make this straw into gold. 2. Please don’t drink out of the carton. Setting Person Speaking Person Addressed 1. desert oasis Aladdin genie 2. courtroom judge defense attorney exazzp 3. child’s room == child baby sitter 4. spaceship jien invader crew member peat ED subject of a 5. forest Big Bad Wolf Little Red Riding Hood Subject and Predicate. 97Compound Subjects Reference No 2f. A compound subject consists © more subjects that Fror more info are joined by a conjunction and that h: same verb, poge 77 Forme a The conjunctions most commonly used to connect the words of using commas between | compound subject are and and or ‘antony baked it. Mae baked it. 2ntony and Mae form the ‘compound subject) When more than two words are included in the compound sub. ject, the conjunction is generally used only between the last two words ‘Also, the words are separated by commas. EXAMPLE Antony, Mae, and Pamela baked the bread. [compound subject: Antony, Mae, Pamela] | Correlative conjunctions, such as neither... norand not only but also, may be used with compound subjects. EXAMPLE Either Antony or Mae baked the bread. [compound subject: Antony, Mae] Identifying Compound Subjects and Their Verbs Identify the compound subjects and their verbs in the following sentences, EXAMPLE 1. Roast turkey and cranberry sauce are often served at Thanksgiving 1. turkey, sauce—compound subject; are served—verb 1. Gerbils and goldfish make good, low-maintenance pets. 2. April, May, and June provide the best opportunity for studying wildflowers in Texas and Oklahoma 3. Kettles of soup and trays of sandwiches sat on the counter. 4, Both you and I should go downtown or to the movies. 5. Bither Macbeth or Othello features witches in its plot. 6, In that drawer lay her scissors, ruler, and markers. (SKILLS FOCUS } 7. Star-nosed moles and eastern moles live in the United States. | am 8. There are many good jokes and riddles in that book. | sy erpounaa 9. Where will you and your family go on vacation this year? 10, There were eggs and milk in the refrigerator. 98 The Parts of a SentenceCompound Verbs compound verb consists of two or more verbs that are jp «1 bya conjunction and that have the same subject. Jim Thorpe entered and won several events in the 1912 Olympics. The committee met, voted on the issue, and adjourned. My sister buy or lease a car. Both the subject and the verb may be compound. [Xe ES The students and teachers wrote the play and produced it. Either Jan or Beverly will write the story and send it to the paper. There are other cases in which a sentence may contain more than one subject and verb. EXAMPLES The defeat of the Germans at Verdun in 1916 was a victory for France, but the battle cost each side nearly half a million casualties. (This kind of sentence is called a compound sentence] they are the nearest living relatives of birds, This kind of Because crocodiles are descended from dinosaurs, | sentence is called a complex sentence.) Melissa said that she would save his seat. [This kind of Before the movie started, Siva offered to buy popcorn; sentence is called a compound-complex sentence.) (GREET icentitying subjects and Compound Verbs Identify the compound verbs and the subjects in the following sentences, Be sure to include helping verbs. Ifa sentence contains an understood subject, write (You). EXAMPLE 1. Should I buy this pair of jeans now or wait for a sale? 1. compound verb—should buy, wait; subject—I 1, Tony rewound the cassette and then pressed the playback button, 2. Toshiro sings, acts, and dances in the show. 3. At the fair, Dan ran faster than the other boys and won the prize of twenty-five dollars. Think as a Reader/Writer ‘The helping verb may or may not be repeated before the second part of fa ‘compound verb if the help ing verb is the same for both parts of the verb. EXAMPLES My sister will buy or will lease a car. My sister will buy or lease a car. Reference Note For more about com- pound, complex, and ‘compound-complex sentences, see page 155, Ne pre oy Sentences in Exercise 12 may contain an understood subject. [ SKILES FOCUS } Identify compound verbs, ina sentence. Subject and Predicate 99 ry1 you walk wait for the four o'clock bust 5. This kitchen appliance will slice, dice, and chop. salad but also bake bread for the party pick you up and sn either in the hamper or downstairs by the washing machin 8. The marching band practiced hard and won the state competition 9. Visit, rest, and 10, The newborn calf rose to its feet with a wobble and stood. (GEEEEED identifying Subjects and Predicates Write cach of the following sentences, underlining the complete | subject once and the complete predicate twice. Be sure to include all parts of compound subjects and compound verbs, authors. ite authors. EXAMPLE 1. Gary Soto and Amy Tan are my fav 1. Gary Soto and Amy Tan Minkte di Literature 1, Soto's poetry and short stories often are about his life. 2. Will he read from his works and sign books here tonight? 3. Carlos, Ted, and I will find front-row seats. 4, Where is your copy of Too Many Tamales? 5. Here is Gary Soto's latest collection of poetry. 6. His realistic way of presenting life appeals to me. 7. This particular poem brings back childhood memories. 8, Something similar happened to me in the first grade. 9. There are Sandra Cisneros and Rudolfo Anaya, other successful Hispanic American authors. 10. Their stories reflect a rich cultural heritage. oi Finding Subjects and Verbs per Copy each of the sentences in the following paragraph. Then, complete Vxailtaat steps A through D to find the subject and the verb in each sentence. ape tery A. Cross out all prepositional phrases to help you isolate the verb and the subject. B. Cross out Here or There at the beginning of a sentence to eliminate these words as possible subjects, . Underline all verbs twice, of any compound verbs. 100 EERE tre racsotsemene including all helping verbs and all pattsD. Underline all subjects once, including all parts of any compound ccts. Ifa sentence contains an understood subject, write and rline you, E [1] Quicksand can be dangerous to a hiker. 1. Quicksand can be dangerous to-a-hiker tn quicksand, you must remain calm. [2] Violent movement, such «° Kicking your legs, will only worsen the situation, [3] There are ps to escaping from quicksand. [4] First, discard your back- ny other burden. [5] Next, gently fall onto your back and our arms. [6] In this position, you will be able to float. y then should you slowly bring your feet to the surface. Perliaps a companion or someone else nearby can reach you with a pole or a rope. [9] Are you alone? [10] Then you should look for the shortest distance to solid ground and paddle slowly toward safety. Complements 2h. A complement is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a verb. Some groups of words need more than a subject and a verb to express. a complete thought. Notice how the following sentences need the boldfaced words to complete their meaning. These boldfaced words are called complements. EXAMPLES It is a good car even though it is old. Who gave Mr. Garcia the present? A complement may be compound. EXAMPLES Aunt Edna looks happy and relaxed today. My cats enjoy eating and napping. A complement may bea noun, a pronoun, or an adjective. s v G EXAMPLES Marcella might become a chemist. s Wine. ‘The raccoon watched us gardening in the backyard. s Visca The clerks at that store are helpful. GRAMMAR Sai Identify complements in sentences Complements 101es adiverbs, see page 67 shat answer isnot wrong. (H/rong, an adjective, isa complement in this sentence] tence complements are never in prepositional phi aatched the cardinals. (Cardinals is the complement) For information on XAMPLES She Ww prepositional phrases, see page 116. She watched all of the cardinals, (Cardinals is part of the prepositional phrase of the cardinals.) Reference Note Both independent and subordinate clauses contain subjects and For information on verbs and may contain complements. independent and su ee se ‘ — EXAMPLES This kitten is the one that climbed the curtains, sv CSV Before Eli rides his bicycle, he checks his tires, ing Subjects, Verbs, and Complements Identify the subject, verb, and complement in each of the following sentences. EXAMPLE 1, Many modern slang expressions sound okay to my great-grandfather. 1. expressions—subject: sound—verb; okay—complement 1. Like every generation, my great-grandfather’s generation had its own slang. 2. He still uses it all the time, particularly in stories about his youth 3. Great-grandpa played the trombone in a jazz band in the 19306 4, He and other musicians developed many slang expressions 5. Their language became jive talk, 6, Many of Great-grandpa’s expre: Cab Calloway, 7, Great-grandpa uses phrases such as Calloway’s beat to my socks (tired) and out of this world (perfect). 8, Great-grandpa’s speech is full of words like hepeat (a lover of i! music) and hip (wise) and groovy (wonderful), 9. Such language became popular all over the United States. 10, My great-grandfather, at least, still uses it, 102 QED the Parts of a Sentence ns are sayings of the entertain— SEEED writing sentence complements ten sentences by adding a complement to each of the following groups. Be sure to punctuate each sentence correctly LE 1. The puppy is 1. The puppy is playful. 1. esse usually seems morrow the class will hear 3. That broiled fish looks 4. Last week our class visited 5. Do you have 6. Coretta finished the 7. The winners felt 8, Saturday the museum will sell 9. Fruits and vegetables filled the 10. How do you like The Subject Complement 2i. A subject complement is a word or word group in the predicate that describes or identifies the subject. EXAMPLES The surface felt sticky. [Sticky describes surface.) Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. [Samuel Clemens identifies name.) Subject complements may be compound. EXAMPLES That winter seemed especially mild and sunny. ‘The prizewinners are Jennifer, Marcus, and Raul. Subject complements sometimes precede the subject of a sentence ora clause. EXAMPLES How kind he is! [Kind is a predicate adjective describing he.) know what a treat this is for her. [Treat is a predicate nominative identifying this. Subject complements always complete the meaning of linking verbs. A word that completes the meaning of an action verb is not a subject complement. CTW) Tips & reicks | To find the subject comple- ment in an interrogative sentence, rearrange the sentence to make a statement, EXAMPLE Is Darnell the treasurer? Darnell isthe treasurer. To find the subject com- plement in an imperative sentence, insert the under- stood subject you. EXAMPLE Be good, (You) Be good. Reference Note For more about action and linking verbs, see page 61 Identify predicate nomi natives in sentences, Complements 103Think as a Reader! Weiter ‘he use of the nominati st example of the predicate nominative, is uncommon in everyday speech. You will often hear itis him, rather than itis he. Remember that in formal English you should use the nominative- case pronoun. Reference Note For more about the nominative case, see page 224, eooee> Identify predicate adjec tives sentences Identity direct objects in sentences . wove! or word group that isin + subject or refers to it. Has she become a dentist? se most. Friendship is what t he new teacher is he~the man in the blazer. crive is an adjective that is in the predicate Qa ’ and that modifies the subje XAMPLES The soup is hot. [hot soup] That soil seems dry and crumbly. [dry and crumbly soil] How expensive are those shoes? [expensive shoes] Exercise 16 BC Cn ing Subject Complements Each of the following sentences has at least one subject complement. For each sentence, give the complement or complements and tell whether each is a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective. EXAMPLE 1. Gloria is my favorite character on the show. 1. character—predicate nominative 1. Does the lemonade taste too sour? 2. The chirping of the birds became more and more shrill as the cat approached, 3. The window washers on the fifteenth floor appeared tiny. 4. Why does he always look so serious? 5. Our candidate for the city council was the winner in the primaries. 6. You should feel proud of yourself, 7. Will the hall monitors for Wednesday be Charlene and LaReina? 8. Soft and cool was the grass under the catalpa tree. 9. Be a friend to animals. 10. The crowd grew quiet when Governor Markham spoke. GEEEEEDD writing subject complements Make complete sentences of the following word groups by adding nouns, pronouns, or adjectives as subject complements. Use five compound complements. Identify each subject complement asa predicate nominative or a predicate adjective. EXAMPLE 1. The sky turned : 1 The sky turned cloudy and dark, —predicate adjectives 104 The Parts of a SentenceThe artist frequently was 6. Are you (hose are 7. The weather remained =, Sara Brown became 8. The test seemed it could be 9. Manuel had always felt The house looked 10, That recording sounds Objects Objects are complements that do not refer to the subject. Objects follow transitive verbs—verbs that express an action directed toward 4 person, place, or thing, EXAMPLE Lee Trevino sank the putt. [The object putt does not explain or describe the subject Lee Trevino, Sank is a transitive verb, not an intransitive verb.] Transitive verbs may express mental action (for example, believe, trust, imagine) as well as physical action (for example, give, hit, draw). EXAMPLE Now remember your name. [Remember what? Name.] 2j. A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what receives the action of a verb or shows the result of the action. A direct object answers the question “Whom?” or “What?” after a transitive verb, sv po EXAMPLES — Germs cause illness. [Germs cause what? Germs cause ill- ress. iliness shows the result of the action of the verb.] sv Do Peter said Gesundheit. (Peter said what? Peter said Gesundheit. Gesundheit receives the action of the verb.] sv pO Lucy visited me. [Lucy visited whom? Lucy visited me. Me receives the action of the verb.] po sv ‘What a scary movie we saw! [We saw what? We saw a movie. Movie receives the action of the verb,] Sy a, bo They were taking whatever was left. (They were taking what? They were taking whatever was left. Whatever was left receives the action of the verb] rr) Reference Note For more about trans tive and intransitive verbs, see page 60. ergs lentify indirect objects sentences Complements 105se <- Indirect objects generally precede direct objects HELP — r Reference Note For information on 106 sjerally not found in prepositional phrases, sbject bicycle. (Bicycle is part of the doin iional phrase on his bicycle. The sentence has repositonal phras ho direct object] Josh was riding his bicyele. [Bicycle is the direct object) CEELEDD leentifying Direct Objects Identify the direct object in each of the following sentences. XAMPLE 1. Lenjoy this magazine very much. 1. magazine 1. This article gives interesting facts about libraries. 2. The city of Alexandria, in Egypt, had the most famous library of ancient times. 3. This library contained the largest collection of plays and works of philosophy in the ancient world. 4. The Roman emperor Augustus founded two public libraries. 5. Fire destroyed all of these libraries. 6, Readers could not borrow books from either the library in Alexandria or the Roman libraries. 7. During the Middle Ages, the monastery libraries introduced a circulating library. 8, By the sixth century, Benedictine monks were borrowing books from their libraries for daily reading. 9. In the United States, we now have thousands of libraries. 10. Readers borrow millions of books from them every year. 2k. An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that often appears in sentences containing direct objects. An indirect object tells to whom or to what (or for whom or for what) the action of a transitive verb is done, 2 v to bo Natalie knitted her friend a sweater. (Natalie knitted 2 sweater for whom? For her friend.] EXAMPLES aia 10% po y little sister sang mea song, [Ii ay) tte ier sa 9. (My litte sister sang STEN, Uncle Gene sends whoev earthworms [Uncle Gene whoever requests it] lo bo ‘er requests it a pamphlet 0” sends a pamphlet to whom? To EB) the Parts of a SentenceIf the word to or for is used, the noun or pronoun following it is of a prepositional phrase and not an indirect object. )BJECTS OF My teacher showed the bird's nest to the class. POSITIONS | left some dessert for you. INDIRECT The teacher showed the ¢lass the bird's nest. OBJECTS | left you some dessert. Both direct and indirect objects may be compound. SMIPLES Lydia sold cookies and lemonade. {compound direct object] Lydia sold Geraldo, Freddy, and me lemonade. {compound indirect object) Do not mistake an adverb in the predicate for a complement. ADVERB Go inside, Skippy. [Inside is an adverb telling where.] COMPLEMENT — Tamisha sanded the inside of the wooden chest. Unside is a noun used as a direct object) Indirect Objects nntfy the direct and indirect objects in the following sentences. fake sure that you give all parts of compound direct and indirect \MPLE- 1. Sometimes | read my little brother stories from Greek mythology. 1. indirect object—brother; direct object—stories . In one myth, the famous artist and inventor Daedalus built the king of Crete a mysterious building known as the Labyrinth, . The complicated passageways of this building give us the word labyrinth, (“amaze or confusing structure”). 3. After the completion of the Labyrinth, the king imprisoned Daedalus and his son, whose name was Icarus. 4. To escape, Daedalus made Icarus and himself wings out of feathers and beeswax. 5, He gave Icarus careful instructions not to fly too near the sun. 6. However, Icarus soon forgot his father’s advice. 7. He flew too high, and when the sun melted the wax in the wings, he plunged to his death in the ocean. Reference Note For information on prepositional phrases and objects of preposi- tions, see page 116. ry Reference Note For information on adverbs, see page 67. ve Not every € e sentence in Exercise 19 contains an indirect object. pueve— el terre Complements 107Weer Not every sentence in Review C contains a comp! some sentences contain, more than one, preur— Remember that ” subordinate clauses contain ‘subjects and verbs and may also contain complements. J hy the death of his son, Daedalus flew on ang 8, Though saddenec reached Sicily in safety ; ¥ tells us other stories of his fabulous inventions, 9. Mythology tells us other " 10. Even today, the name Daedalus suggests genius and inventiveness ‘ex Identifying Complements Identify the complements in the following sentences, Then, tell whether each complement is a predicate nominative, a predicate aujective, a direct object, or an indirect object, Ifa sentence does not contain a complement, write no complement. EXAMPLE [1] My brother Bill gave Mom a birthday surprise, 1. Mom—indirect object; surprise—direct object [1] My brother made Mom a birthday cake. [2] However, the pro ject soon became a fiasco. [3] First, Bill cracked three eggs into a bow (4) Unfortunately, bits of the shells went in, too, (5) Then he added the Hour and other dry ingredients, [6] The electrie mixer whirled the bat ter right onto the ceiling, (7] The batter was so sticky that it stayed there and didn’t falloff, (8] Bill did not clean the ceiling immediately, and the sticky substance hardened overnight. [9] Mom was not angry, bout she did give Bill a su (10) “A clean ki hen would brea great birthday present. Mdentify the ital abbreviations, identifying the Parts of a Sentence ized words in the following passage. Use these S subject P.a. predicate adjective ve verb do. direct object an. predicate nominative ie, indirect object EXAMPLE When you draw faces, do they look [1] realistic? 1 pa. Before this winter, I couldn't draw a human [1] face well. Howeves our [2] neighbor, Mr. Teng, isa portrait [3] painter and he has been Shing [4] mesome instructive [5] tips He says that the most important 108 The Parts of a Sentencething is the correct [7] placement of Apparently, most (8] people draw eyestoo high. In fact, [10] they should ed halfway down the head. Many ilso [11] make the ears too small 12] top of each ear [13] should align ine eyebrow, and the [14] bottom —— 5 Eye-Widths | align with the tip of the nose. Getting idth of the face right is also (15) impor: Ar. Teng says,"Use one eye's [16] widih snit of measure and make th widths wide.” The Ear Height TU “ad five re many other {17| guidelines, but these tips from Mr. Teng, ase the most (18) basic, By following them, | can now draw a human [19] face that {20} looks realistic Classifying Sentences by Purpose 21. A sentence may be classified, depending on its purpose, as declarative, imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory. (1) A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends with a period. EXAMPLES Jody Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. That one-celled organism is an amoebae Reference Note Q) An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a (rextore netetaatton: request. Most imperative sentences end with a period. A strong abit undartised command ends with an exclamation point. subjects, see page 97 SKIES FOCUs ] Classify sentences by purpose. Klentify and use declarative sentences, Identify and use impera tive sentences. Identify and use interrogative sentences EXAMPLES Please keep to the rights (request) Take care of your little brother, Ricks (command) Stopt [strong command) Notice in these examples that a command or a request has the understood subject you. Classifying Sentences by Purpose 109