1. Parts of a Sentence
When we study the parts of the sentence we are studying the structure of thought itself. Sentences do not occur in nature; they are thought, expressed. Hidden in the sentence is thought’s secret pattern, and understanding this pattern gives us insight into the nature of clarity.

2. Parts of a Sentence
The sentence, our common one-two structure for building thoughts, is a two-piece idea. The two pieces are: The person to whom we are talking needs to know both pieces, and if either is absent, unclear, or otherwise disrupted, then we fail to communicate. The sentence is a complete thought.
One
Two
Subject (Noun-Pronoun)
Predicate (Verb)
what we’re talking about
what we’re saying about it

3. Practice
Example: Alexander defeated Darius. Parts of Speech: Noun Verb Noun Parts of Sentence: Subject Complete Predicate Practice Put a box around the subject and underline the predicate in the following sentences. Label the subject with an S and the predicate with a P. 1. The movie was tedious, dull, and meaningless. 2. The nubby bark was becoming uncomfortable. 3. An unfamiliar melody caught the attention of the walkers. 4. Soft lights illuminated the small stage.

4. The Subject
The simple subject of the sentence is the noun or subject pronoun that the sentence is about. It is ONE word.
Ex.: The boy hit the ball.
The complete subject includes the simple subject and all of its modifiers.
 Ex. The skinny, curly-haired boy hit the ball.
Compound subject: a double subject. (2 words with and/or)
More than one noun or pronoun used as a double subject of the same clause:
Ex. Physics and astronomy are my favorite subjects.

5. Practice Example: Butterflies have a great deal of strength.
Pt of Speech: Noun verb adj adj noun prep noun
Pt of Sentence: Subject Complete Predicate
 Practice
Do a 2-level analysis of the following sentences. Write the part of speech below each word. Underline and label the Simple Subject with SS. Circle and label the Complete Subject with CS.
1. Little sisters can be troublesome but also can be enjoyable.
2. Vegetarian cafes were experiencing a boom at that time.
3. The blue jay and its mate are diving at my head.
4. They are protecting a nest full of eggs.
5. These songs were hits last year.

6. Predicate
Predicate: is the side of the sentence that says something about the subject.
The simple predicate is the verb. (Usually ONE word, or may include the Helping verb.)
Ex. Doug /went over to the crater.
Doug /will fly over the crater.
The complete predicate is everything that is said about the subject.
Compound verb: the subject takes on more than one verb as its predicate.
Ex. Doug /went over to the crater and gathered three bags of comet dust.

7. Practice
Example: The final exam had only three questions.
P of S: adj adj noun v adv adj noun
P of Sent: ---Complete Subject Complete Predicate
 Practice
Do a two-level analysis of the following sentences. Circle and label the Complete Subject with an CS. Underline and label the Complete Predicate with a CP. Below each word, identify its part of speech.
1. A wooden Kenyan statue sat on a small table in the hall.
2. Vegetarian cafes were experiencing a boom at that time.
3. The blue jay and its mate are diving at my head.
4. They are protecting a nest full of eggs.
5. These songs were hits last year.

8. Grammar Subject-Predicate Quiz
 Do a two-level analysis of the following sentences. Circle and label the simple subject . Above it, write SS. Underline and label the simple predicate. Above it, write SP.
1. A wooden Kenyan statue sat on a small table in the hall.
(Skip 3 spaces)
2. The final exam had only three questions.
Do a two-level analysis of the following sentences. Circle and label the complete subject. Above it, write CS. Underline and label the complete predicate. Above it, write CP.
3. An unfamiliar melody caught the attention of the walkers.
4. They are protecting a nest full of eggs.
(Also, write part of speech below each word:
Pro, N, Adj, V, Adv, Prep, Conj. Inter)

9. Grammar Subject-Predicate Quiz--Key
SS SP
A wooden Kenyan statue / sat on a small table in the hall.
art adj adj N V prep art adj n prep art n 14-
SS SP
2. The final exam / had only three questions.
CS CP
3. An unfamiliar melody / caught the attention of the walkers.
CS CP
4. They / are protecting a nest full of eggs.

10. Direct Object A direct object is a noun or object pronoun that receives the action of the action verb. Find the action verb, it will lead you to the direct object. You can also ask the subject a what? or who? question.
Example: Alexander defeated Darius.
Parts of Speech: Noun Verb Noun
Parts of Sentence: Subject Predicate Direct Object
Who? question: Alexander defeated who?
Example:The girl hit the ball to left field.
Subj AV DO
The ball is receiving the action of the verb “hit.”
What? Question: The girl hit what?
Practice
Identify the direct objects in the following sentences.
1. He hugged his shuddering body in both arms.
2. You must have a strange opinion of me.
3. I placed the bags on the counter.

11. Subject Complements A noun, subject pronoun, or adjective that is linked to the subject by a linking verb and tells more about, or renames, the subject. Notice the kind of verb: Subject complements work with LINKING verbs. Direct objects work with ACTION verbs. Finding the verb is key to identification. Question the Subject with Who? or What?
Example: She is brilliant.
Parts of speech: Pronoun Linking Verb Adjective
Parts of sentence: Subj Pred Subject Complement
What? question: She is what?
Practice
Identify the subject complement in the following sentence.
1. That man is the doctor.
2. That teacher seems boring.
3. Tasha was the star of the play.
Note: “Compliment” = Flatter or praise, “Complement” = To complete or add to

12. Predicate Nominative vs. Predicate Adjective Predicate Nominative:
Predicate Nominative vs. Predicate Adjective  Predicate Nominative: a subject complement that is a noun or subject pronoun. Predicate Adjective: a term sometimes used to describe a subject complement made out of an adjective.  
Example: It was she and I.
Parts of speech: Pronoun verb pro conj pro
Parts of sentence: Subj pred pred. nom.
I am sleepy
Parts of speech: Pronoun verb adj
Parts of sentence: Subj pred pred adj.
Practice
Identify whether the subject complement is a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective.
1. She is brilliant.
2. That man is the doctor.
3. The car looks brand new.
4. That teacher seems boring.
5. Tasha is the star of the play.

13. Indirect Object An indirect object is a noun or object pronoun located between the action verb and the direct object. The structure is S – AV – IO – DO.
Example: We gave him the business.
Part of Speech: Subj Pro Verb Obj Pro Adj Noun
Parts of Sentence: Subj Pred IO DO
 Find the action verb = gave
Ask the verb a Who? Or What? Question: gave what? = business (Direct Object)
Ask the Verb & Direct Object a For? Or To? Question: gave business to? him = Indirect Object
Practice
Do a 2-level analysis of the following sentences.
1. Bob bought me the gift.
2. I gave my mom the note from the teacher.
3. I’ll buy this hungry man a bag of groceries.

14. Grammar Quiz Direct Object-Subject Complement-Indirect Object
 Underline the Direct Objects, Subject Complements, and Indirect Objects in each sentence. Above each sentence part, identify them as DO, SC, or IO.
1. He hugged his shuddering body in both arms.
2. You must have a strange opinion of me.
3. I placed the bags on the counter.
4. Bob bought me the gift.
5. I gave my mom the note from the teacher.
6. I’ll buy this hungry man a bag of groceries.
7. We gave him the business.
8. That man is the doctor.
9. That teacher seems boring.
10. Tasha is the star of the play.
Identify the part of speech for each word in the following sentences:
11. A wooden Kenyan statue sat on a small table in the hall.
12. The final exam had only three questions.