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  LESSON 1 BUILDING BLOCKS OF A SENTENCE Since verbs drive a sentence, it is essential to understand the structure of the basic sentence. Knowing the structure and being able to identify the verbs you are using allows you to make better verb choices. * * * BASIC PARTS OF A SENTENCE A complete sentence only requires 2 parts working together to convey a message. The briefest sentence needs to only have two words. SENTENCE I cried. SUBJECT I VERB cried Let’s take a look at how to identify each of these parts. PART 1 THE SUBJECT The SUBJECT part of the sentence refers to who or what the sentence is about. The COMPLETE SUBJECT includes the SIMPLE SUBJECT and all the words that describe the subject. The SIMPLE SUBJECT is *a noun (person, place, thing, idea) OR pronoun (a word that takes the place of a noun) PLUS *a subject is NEVER in a prepositional phrase (A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. The preposition links the noun or pronoun – object of the preposition – with another word in the sentence.) SENTENCE The old man in the tattered coat crossed the street. COMPLETE SUBJECT The old man in the tattered coat SIMPLE SUBJECT man PART 2A THE PREDICATE The PREDICATE is the part of the sentence that refers to what the subject is doing. The COMPLETE PREDICATE includes the verb or verb phrase, and any words that complete the verb, and/or describe the verb and/or the word that completes the verb. The SIMPLE PREDCATE (also called a VERB) is *a verb OR *a verb phrase (a verb consisting of a main verb and also has one or more helping verbs) SENTENCE The old man in the tattered coat crossed the street. COMPLETE PREDICATE crossed the street. VERB crossed PART 2B TWO CATEGORIES OF VERBS: ACTION & STATE OF BEING Some VERBS are classified as ACTION VERBS They express action.  Herbert and Sam sit in the family room to do homework.SIMPLE SUBJECT Herbert, Sam ACTION VERB sit  Sam and Peter throw snowballs at each other every winter.SIMPLE SUBJECT Sam, Peter ACTION VERB throw  Betty runs the general store on the corner.SIMPLE SUBJECT Betty ACTION VERB runs Some VERBS are classified as LINKING VERBS These verbs link the subject of a sentence with a word or expression that identifies or describes the subject. Sally is in the fall theatrical production.SIMPLE SUBJECT Sally LINKING VERB is The students seem to understand the assignment.SIMPLE SUBJECT students LINKING VERB seem George appears to be enjoying the concert.SIMPLE SUBJECT George LINKING VERB appears PART 3 THE COMPLEMENT The COMPLEMENT completes the meaning begun by the subject and the verb. Some sentences seem incomplete and beg for more words. ACTION VERBS and LINKING VERBS use different complements. A COMPLEMENT is NEVER in a prepositional phrase. DIRECT OBJECTS Sentences that use ACTION VERBS are completed with a DIRECT OBJECT. A DIRECT OBJECT is either a noun or a pronoun that will receive the action. SENTENCE Sally baked. SUBJECT Sally VERB baked The word “baked” is an ACTION VERB, but the two words of this sentence beg for extra words to answer the question “What did Sally bake?” When that question is answered within the sentence, we have added a complement/completer known as a DIRECT OBJECT. SENTENCE Sally baked a cake. SUBJECT Sally VERB baked DIRECT OBJECT cake. Even if the sentence contained numerous descriptive words, the subject, verb, and direct object are still the same. SENTENCE Sally hurriedly baked a three layer, chocolate fudge cake for Tom’s birthday. SUBJECT Sally VERB baked DIRECT OBJECT cake PREDICATE NOMINATIVES & PREDICATE ADJECTIVES A PREDICATE NOMINATIVE is a noun or pronoun that is found in the predicate half of the sentence when the sentence uses a linking verb. The PREDICATE NOMINATIVE renames the subject. SENTENCE That building is the Lincoln Memorial. SUBJECT building VERB is PREDICATE NOMINATIVE Lincoln Memorial (The verb "is" links the proper noun “Lincoln Memorial” to the word "building" and further identifies it.) A PREDICATE ADJECTIVE is an adjective that is found in the predicate half of the sentence when the sentence uses a linking verb. The PREDICATE ADJECTIVE describes the subject. SENTENCE Sally is beautiful. SUBJECT Sally VERB is PREDICATE ADJECTIVEbeautiful (This verb links the word “beautiful” to Sally because “beautiful” describes Sally.) PART 4 A NOTE ABOUT PREPOSITIONS AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES A PREPOSITION is a word that shows the relationship of one word (the noun or pronoun in the prepositional phrase) to a different word in the sentence. The PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE begins with the preposition and ends with the object of the preposition (a noun or pronoun. You will NEVER find the subject, verb, direct object, predicate nominative, or predicate adjective in a PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE. DISCUSSION TOPIC What is your greatest frustration about using verbs in your own writing? ASSIGNMENT GRAMMAR EXERCISE - For each sentence, identify the simple subject, the verb, and the completer (Remember, not every sentence will have a completer). EXAMPLE 1. George brought pumpkin pie to the office party. sub = George; verb = brought; direct object = pie 1. Sam sent me a card from Mexico. 2. Mr. Johnson appointed Jake as the captain of the swim team. 3. Damaged tankers usually cause oil spills. 4. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins and minerals. (This sentence has a compound subject. In other words, two subjects are combined with the word "and.") 5. Kamara is a volunteer at the Thanksgiving food pantry. 6. Sam gave me two tickets for the play. 7. There is a log cabin in the clearing. (The word "there" is not the subject.) 8. The student body elects the student council president. 9. Sam has always given me a birthday present. 10. Several people drowned in the flood. 11. He carried the suitcases to the car. 12. Everyone in my house rises early except me. 13. The wind blew all night long. 14. Here is a list of addresses of people to contact. (The word "here" is not the subject.) 15. All of the performers look young. 16. Both of her parents offered us a ride. 17. The loud ringing of my alarm wakes me every morning. 18. The telephone in the lobby rang. 19. My beagle slept under my bed. 20. Randy promised me a milkshake. WRITTEN EXERCISE - Write a narrative paragraph describing your favorite vacation spot. Write it as if it is part of the exposition of a short story or novel. Be sure to write in complete sentences. Work for a length of 100 – 200 words.
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