Sentences vs.

Fragments
 Sentence: a group of words that contains a subject
and its predicate, and makes a complete thought.
◦ To say anything clearly, we must say two things: what we
are talking about (subject) and what we are saying about
it (predicate).
 Each thought must have these two parts:
 One Two
 subject predicate
 what we’re talking aboutwhat we’re saying about it

 A fragment is an incomplete thought.

Subjects

 The simple subject of the sentence is the noun

or subject pronoun that the sentence is about.

 The complete subject includes the simple

subject and all of its modifiers.
 
 Compound subject: a double subject: more
than one noun or pronoun used as a double
subject of the same clause
Predicates
 Predicate: the verb and other words that are about
the subject
  
 Simple predicate = the verb.
  
 Complete predicate = everything that is said about

the subject.
  
 Compound predicate: the subject takes more than

one verb as its predicate.

  
Order of Subject and Predicate
 In most sentences, the subject comes before
the predicate.
◦ The red-tailed hawk soared high overhead.
 However, for emphasis, some sentences are
written in inverted order, with the predicate
coming before the subject.
◦ High overhead soared the red-tailed hawk.
 In sentences beginning with “there” or “here,”
the subject follows the verb.
◦ Here is your birthday present.
If the predicate includes an action verb……
 Direct Object – a noun or object pronoun that receives the
action of the action verb. DO
◦ It answers this question: What is the “thing” the Subject
“Verbs”?
◦ Action verbs are called transitive if there is a direct object.

◦S AV DO
◦ We walked the dog.
  
◦ Action verbs are called intransitive if there is no direct object.

S AV adverb
We walked slowly.
  
 Only object pronouns (e.g., him, her, us)may be direct objects.
With a direct object, there may also be…..
 Indirect Object –
◦ a noun or object pronoun
◦ indirectly affected by the action verb
◦ located between the action verb and the direct object.

 S AV IO DO
 You gave me nothing.

 NOTE: If there is an indirect object, there MUST be a direct

object.
 The indirect object is an alternative to using a prepositional

phrase.

 S AV DO (prep phrase)
 You gave nothing to me.
Practice:
Direct and Indirect Objects
 Identify the Simple Subject, Simple Predicate,
and, if there is one, Direct Object and Indirect
Object in each sentence.
 1. Mario picked some flowers for the mantel.
 2. The crowd gave our team a cheer.
 3. The simmering volcano erupted suddenly.
 4. Behind the hills sank the setting sun.
 5. Here are the corrected test papers.
If the predicate includes a LINKING VERB:
 Predicate Nominative:

◦ A noun or a pronoun that RENAMES or IDENTIFIES

the subject
Mr. Cadenhead is principal of Folsom High School.
My favorite novel is To Kill a Mockingbird.

Predicate Adjective:
 An adjective that DESCRIBES the subject.
The freshly baked cookies smelled delicious.
The golden retriever puppy seemed friendly.
Practice: Predicate Nominatives and
Predicate Adjectives
 Identify the Simple Subject, Simple Predicate,
and either the Predicate Nominative or
Predicate Adjective in each sentence.
1.My favorite holiday movie is It’s a Wonderful Life.
2. Mark Twain’s real name was Samuel Clemens.
3. This winter seems especially mild and sunny.
4. The prizewinners are Jennifer, Marcus, and Raul.
5. Soft and warm was the afghan my grandmother
crocheted.