Sentence Structure Subjects, predicates, complements, clauses, etc.

What is a sentence?  A sentence is a group of words containing a subject and a verb and which expresses a complete thought.  Let’s do Exercise 1 on pg 514 as a group to check and make sure we can all spot sentence fragments.

The Subject and the Predicate  The subject of the sentence tells whom or what the sentence is about.  Sara ran.  The predicate tells something about the subject—what the subject is doing, thinking, etc. It could also describe the subject.  Sara ran.

Simple vs. Complete Subjects  The simple subject is the basic noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. The complete subject is the simple subject plus any phrases used to modify it. The girls on the softball team didn’t have much time to do their homework after the game. Simple subject—girls Complete subject—the girls on the softball team

Simple vs. Complete Predicate  The simple predicate is the verb used to tell about the subject. The complete predicate is the simple verb plus all of the words used to modify it. The pommies danced in perfect unison. Simple predicate—danced Complete predicate—danced in perfect unison

Partner up!  Work through Exercise 2 on page 519. Identify the simple subject and the verb of each sentence GO!

Beclause I said so…

Complements (not compliments)  A complement is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a verb. Some verbs need complements in order to express a complete thought. For example: “The class seemed” is not a complete thought. Seemed what? Happy? Sad? Bipolar? Needy? There’s a subject and a verb, but it’s not a sentence yet. “The class seemed enthusiastic.” That’s a complete thought!

Don’t get mixed up!  Avoid mistaking adverbs and objects of prepositions for complements. Chloe studies hard. “Hard” is an adverb describing how Chloe studies. Chloe studies after rehearsal. “After rehearsal” is a prepositional phrase telling when Chloe studies. Chloe studies grammar. “Grammar” completes the meaning of “studies.”

Types of Complements  Direct objects receive the action of the verb. Katelyn poured the water. What did Katelyn pour? The spotter caught Jennifer. Whom did the spotter catch?

More Complements…  Indirect objects precede direct objects and tell to whom, for whom, to what, or for what the action is done. Elise gave the freshman directions to class. What was given? Directions. To whom? The freshman.

And More Complements…  Objective Complements modify or point out the direct object to complete the meaning of the verb. Robert considered the grammar review torture. Our verb is “considered,” and the direct object is “grammar review.” What is modifying “grammar review?” “Tortured” is our objective complement because it modifies the OBJECT.

Partner up!  In Exercise 3 on page 524, you need to identify and classify the complement. We’ll do the first two together as examples.

Subject Complements  These are words or phrases in the predicate that modify the subject. There are two kinds of subject complements:  Predicate Nominatives are words in the predicate that identify or refer to the subject. Another four-day weekend is what we really want. Our subject is “weekend.” The phrase in the predicate that modifies “weekend” is “what we really want.”Try this one: Of my fourth hour students, Jake is the most verbal one. The pronoun “one” refers to the subject “Jake.”

Subject Complements, cont.  Predicate adjectives are adjectives in the predicate that modify the subject. The class is nervous. The adjective “nervous” describes “class.” The girls wearing formal dresses look beautiful. The adjective “beautiful” modifies “girls.”

Get a partner!  Exercise 4 on page 526 asks you to identify and then classify the subject complements. GO!

Quick Review…  Let’s go through Review A on page 526 as a class.

The Quiz…  Review B on page 529 is your quiz for this section. Work independently and quietly.