The Sentence and Its Parts

The Sentence and Its Parts Complete Subjects and Predicates Simple Subjects Simple Predicates, or Verbs Verb Phrases Compound Sentence Parts Kinds of Sentences Subjects in Unusual Order Subject Complements Complements: Objects of Verbs Fragments and Run-Ons

Complete Subjects and Predicates In order to share ideas and information successfully, you need to use complete sentences. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Every complete sentence has two basic parts: A subject A predicate

Some architects bring nature indoors. Subject The complete subject includes all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about Some architects bring nature indoors. Complete subject

Some architects bring nature indoors. Predicate The complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that complete the verb’s meaning. Some architects bring nature indoors. Complete Predicate

Some architects bring nature indoors. Simple Subjects The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject. Descriptive words are not part of the simple subject. Some architects bring nature indoors. Simple Subject

Simple Predicates, or Verbs The simple predicate is the main verb in the complete predicate. Some architects bring nature indoors. Simple Predicate

Some architects may bring nature indoors. Verb Phrases The simple predicate, or verb, may consist of two or more words. These words are called a verb phrase. A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs. Some architects may bring nature indoors. Verb Phrase

Some architects and florists bring nature indoors. Compound Subjects A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects that share the same verb. The subjects are joined by a conjunction, or connecting word, such as and, but, or or. Some architects and florists bring nature indoors. Compound Subjects

The architects worked and slept on the job. Compound Verbs A compound verb is made up of two or more verbs that have the same subject. The verbs are joined by a conjunction such as and, but, or or. The architects worked and slept on the job. Compound verb

Kinds of Sentences Kind of Sentence What it Does Example Declarative Makes a statement; always ends with a period. I see something weird in that tree. It looks like a gray basketball. Interrogative Asks a question; always ends with a question mark. What do you think it is? Is it a hornet’s nest? Imperative Tells or asks someone to do something; usually ends with a period but may end with an exclamation point. Please don’t get too close to it. Be careful! Exclamatory Shows strong feeling; always ends with an exclamation point. I see hornets flying out! I’m getting out of here!

Subjects in Unusual Order Questions In a question, the subject usually comes after the verb or between parts of the verb phrase. Does the weather look good for the game? Verb phrase subject

Subjects in Unusual Order Commands The subject of a command, or imperative sentence, is usually “you”. Often, you doesn’t appear in the sentence but it is implied. (You) Meet us at the concession stand. Implied subject

Subject of Compliments A subject complement is a word or group of words that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject. Butterflies are fragile. Linking verb Complement Subject

Monarch butterflies are insects. Predicate Nouns A predicate noun follows a linking verb and defines or renames the subject. Monarch butterflies are insects. Defines Predicate noun subject Renames Cocoons become butterfly nurseries.

Monarchs look beautiful. Predicate Adjective A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes a quality of the subject. Monarchs look beautiful. Describes Subject Predicate Adjective

Movie producers often borrow real homes. Direct Objects A direct object is a word or group of words that names the receiver of the action of an action verb. A direct object answers the question what or whom. Movie producers often borrow real homes. Borrow what? Direct object Charm whom? The right house can charm viewers.

We lent the producer our house. Indirect Objects An indirect object is a word or group of words that tells to whom or what (or for whom or what) an action is performed. An indirect object usually comes between a verb and a direct object. We lent the producer our house. To whom? Indirect object

Fragments A sentence fragment is a part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence. A sentence fragment is missing a subject, a predicate, or both. The Rungus people in Malaysia (missing a predicate) Build traditional homes called longhouses. (missing a subject) They build traditional homes called longhouses. (complete sentence)

Run-On Sentences A run-on sentence is two or more sentences written as though they were a single sentence. The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, the walls are made of tree bark. (run-on) The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves. The walls are made of tree bark. The longhouse roof is made of palm leaves, and the walls are made of tree bark.