Mary Lettice L.

Tagaan ED ENG 3 EDA July 12, 2023

Sentence Structure: Elements & Kinds of a Sentence

Topic Outline

The Parts of a Sentence Subjects, Predicates, Complements

A. Identifying Subjects, Verbs, and Complements in a Paragraph

Identify the italicized word or word group in each sentence in the following
paragraph as a subject, a verb, or a complement. If it is a complement, identify it
as a direct object, an indirect object, a predicate nominative, a predicate
adjective, or an objective complement.

EXAMPLE
[1] The National Science Foundation (NSF) is undergoing a great surge of growth.
1. Complement—direct object

B. Classifying Sentences
Classify each of the following sentences as declarative, imperative, interrogative,
or exclamatory. Then, supply an appropriate end mark after the last word in the
sentence.

EXAMPLE
[1] The school is five blocks from here
1. declarative—here.

Sentence or Fragment?
15a. A sentence is a word group that contains a subject and a verb and that
expresses a complete thought.

A thought is complete when it makes sense by itself.

EXAMPLES
1. The weary executive had left her briefcase on the train.
2. For how many years was Winston Churchill the prime minister of Great
Britain?
3. What extraordinary courage the early settlers in North America must have
had!
4. Wait! [The subject of the sentence is understood to be you.]

As you can see, a sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period,
question mark, or an exclamation point. Do not confuse a sentence with a
sentence fragment—a word or word group that may be capitalized and
punctuated as a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb or does
not express a complete thought.

SENTENCE FRAGMENT Athletes representing 160 nations.

SENTENCE Athletes representing 160 nations competed in the
Olympics.

SENTENCE FRAGMENT The offices designed for high efficiency.

SENTENCE The offices have been designed for high efficiency.

SENTENCE FRAGMENT Plans every month for future growth.

 SENTENCE The board of directors plans every month for future
growth.

The Subject and the Predicate

15b. Sentence consists of two basic parts: subjects and predicates. The subject
tells to whom or what the sentence is about. The predicate tells something
about the subject.

Note in the following examples that the subject or the predicate may consist of
one word or more than one word. Notice also that the subject may appear before
or after the predicate or between parts of the predicate.

SUBJECT │ PREDICTE
Lighting struck.

SUBJECT │ PREDICTE
Everyone enjoyed reading The Piano Lesson.

SUBJECT │ PREDICTE
All of the seeds sprouted.

PREDICATE │ SUBJECT
Into the sky soared the young eagle.

PREDICATE │ SUBJECT │ PREDICATE

Where did your family go on vacation?

The Simple Subject and the Complete Subject

15c. The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or
what the sentence is about. The complete subject consists of the simple
subject and any words or word groups used to modify the simple subject.

SIMPLE SUBJECT The coach of our hockey team used to play professional hockey.

COMPLETE SUBJECT The coach of our hockey team used to play professional
hockey.

SIMPLE SUBJECT Supported by grants, scientists constantly search for a cure for
cancer.

COMPLETE SUBJECT Supported by grants, scientists constantly search for a cure

for cancer.

SIMPLE SUBJECT The scenes that you see in these tapestries show the beauty of
Pennsylvania in the 1700s.

COMPLETE SUBJECT The scenes that you see in the tapestries show the beauty of
Pennsylvania in the 1700s.

SIMPLE SUBJECT The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, is a popular tourist
attraction.
COMPLETE SUBJECT The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, is a popular
tourist attraction.
Notice in the last example above that a compound noun, such as Corn Parlance, may
serve as a simple subject because together the two words name one thing.

[NOTE] In this textbook, the term subject usually refers to the simple subject unless
otherwise indicated.

The Simple Predicate and the Complete Predicate

15d. The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or word group that tells
something about the subject. The complete predicate consists of the verb and
all the words used to modify the verb and complete its meaning.

SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB) The puppy chased its tail frantically.

COMPLETE PREDICTE The puppy chased its tail frantically.

SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB) Catalina ran swiftly across the field.

COMPLETE PREDICTE Catalina ran swiftly across the field.

SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB) Today another space probe was successfully launched.
COMPLETE PREDICTE Today another space probe was successfully launched.

SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB) Did Ethan ever find his history book?
COMPLETE PREDICTE Did Ethan ever find his history book?

[NOTE] In this textbook, the term verb usually refers to the simple predicate (a one-word
verb or a verb phrase)

The Compound Subject and the Compound Verb

15e. A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a
conjunction and that have the same verb.

The parts of a compound subject are usually joined by the conjunction and, or, or
nor.

EXAMPLES 1. The ship and its cargo had been lost.

2. Will Marva or Antonio drive us to the track meet?
3. Neither the sheets nor the blanket should be washed with bleach.
4. Athens, Delphi, and Nauplia are on the mainland of Greece.

15f. A compound verb consists of two or more verbs that are joined by a
conjunction and that have the same subject.

The parts of a compound verb are usually joined by the conjunction and, but, or,
or nor.

EXAMPLES 1. We chose a seat near the door and quietly sat down.
2. Sandra had gone to the football game but had left at halftime.
3. For exercise I swim or play racquetball nearly every day.
4. Unfortunately, Eddie neither relaxed nor did anything productive
this weekend.
5. Truth enlightens the mind, frees the spirit, and also strengthens
the soul.
[NOTE] Do not mistake a simple sentence containing a compound subject or a
verb, or both, for a compound sentence. A simple sentence has only one
independent clause. A compound sentence has two or more independent
clauses.

SIMPLE Kendra and I have taken the Scholastic

SENTENCE Aptitude Test but have not received our scores.
[compound subject and compound verb]

SIMPLE Kendra and I have taken the Scholastic

SENTENCE Aptitude Test, but we have not received our scores.

How to Find the Subject of a Sentence

A simple way to find the subject of a sentence is to ask Who? or What? Before
the verb.

EXAMPLES The crew of the racing yacht had worked hard. [Who had worked?
Crew had worked.]

In their eyes shone happiness. [What shone? Happiness shone.]

Waiting at the harbor was a huge, cheering crowd. [Who was

waiting? Crowd was waiting.]

Remembering the following guidelines will also help you find the subject of a
sentence.
 The subject of a sentence expressing a command or a request is always
understood to be you, although you may not appear in the sentence.

COMMAND Turn left at the next intersection. [Who is being told to turn? You is
understood.]

REQUEST Please tell me the story again. [Who is being asked to tell? You is
understood.]

The subject of a command or a request is you even when the sentence contains
a word naming the one or ones spoken to—a noun of direct address.

EXAMPLE Chelsea, [you] close the door, please.

 The subject of a sentence is never in a prepositional phrase.

EXAMPLES A group of students gathered near the main library. [Who

gathered? Group gathered. Students is the object of the preposition
of.]

One of the paintings by Vincent van Gogh sold for $82.5 million.
[What sold? One sold. Paintings is the object of the preposition of.
Vincent van Gogh is the object of the preposition by.]
Out of stillness came the loud sound of laughter. [What came?
Sound came. Stillness is the object of the preposition Out of.
Laughter is the object of the preposition of.]
  The subject of a sentence expressing a question generally follows the verb
or a part of the verb phrase.

EXAMPLES Is the dog in the house? [What is? Dog is.]

When was Madeleine Albright appointed secretary of state of the

United States? [Who was appointed? Madeleine Albright was
appointed.]

 The word there or here is almost never the subject of a sentence.

EXAMPLES There is the famous Mona Lisa. [What is there? Mona Lisa is
there.]

Here are your gloves. [What are here? Gloves are here.]

In the two examples above, the words there and here are used as adverbs telling
where.

[NOTE] The word there also may be used as an expletive—a word that fills out
the structure of a sentence but does not add to the meaning. In the following
example, there does not tell where but serves only to make the structure of the
sentence complete.

EXAMPLE There is a soccer game after school this Friday. [What is? Game is.]

Complements
15g. A complement is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a
verb.
Some sentences contain only a subject and a verb. The subject may be
expressed or may be understood.

S V
EXAMPLES Everyone participated.

V
Stop! [The subject you is understood.]

Often, however, the predicate of a sentence also includes at least one

complement. Without the complement or complements in the predicate, the
subject and the verb may not express a complete thought.

S V
INCOMPLETE Jose Canseco caught

S V C
COMPLETE Jose Canseco caught the ball.

S V
INCOMPLETE They sent
 S V C
COMPLETE They sent us an invitation.

S V
INCOMPLETE The judges named

S V C C
COMPLETE The judges named Consuelo the winner.

S V
INCOMPLETE Denzel Washington is

S V C
COMPLETE Denzel Washington is an actor.

S V
INCOMPLETE The players seem

S V C
COMPLETE The players seems weary.

V S
INCOMPLETE Is this

V S C
COMPLETE Is this what you want?

As you can see in the preceding examples, a complement may be a noun, a

pronoun, or an adjective and may consist of one word or a group of words.

[NOTE] Do not mistake an adverb or an object of a preposition for a complement.

ADVERB Janna writes well. [The adverb well tells how Janna writes.]

OBJECT OF A Janna writes for the school newspaper. [The noun newspaper
is the object of the preposition for.]
PREPOSITION

COMPLEMENT Janna writes adventure stories. [The noun stories completes

the meaning of writes.]

The Direct Object

15h. A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what
receives the action of the verb or that shows the result of the action.

A direct object answers the question "Whom?" or "What?" after a transitive verb.

EXAMPLES Drought destroyed whatever we planted. [Destroyed what?

Whatever we planted.]

The journalist interviewed the astronauts before and after their

flight. [Interviewed whom? Astronauts.]
 Felicia invited me to the party. [Invited whom? Me.]

Do toads cause warts? [Do cause what? Warts.]

A direct object may be compound.

EXAMPLES The dog chased Eli and me through the park.

Did Beethoven compose sonatas and symphonies?

[NOTE] For emphasis, the direct object may precede the subject and verb.

EXAMPLE What compelling speech he gave! [Gave what? Speech.]

The Indirect Object

15i. An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that precedes a direct
object and tells to whom or to what (or for whom or for what) the action of the
verb is done.

EXAMPLE Ms. Cruz showed our class great video about Moorish architecture.
[Showed to whom? Class.]

The animal trainer fed the bears fist. [Fed to what? Bears.]

Their artistic skill won them honors. [Won for whom? Them.]

Will Julia buy her pet terrier a new rhinestone collar? [Buy for
what? Terrier.]

[NOTE] Do not confuse an indirect object with an object of the preposition to or

for.

INDIRECT OBJECT The Principal gave her the award.

OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION The Principal gave the award to her. [Her is the
object of the preposition to.]

An indirect object may be compound.

EXAMPLES The architect showed Mom and Dad the plans for the new family room.

Are the judges giving whoever finishes first or whoever does

the best job the prize?

The Objective Complement

15j. An objective complement is a word or word group that helps complete
the meaning of a transitive verb by identifying or modifying the direct object.

An objective complement may be a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective.

EXAMPLES The members elected Carlotta secretary. [The noun secretary
identifies the direct object Carlotta.]

They considered all the prize money theirs. [The pronoun theirs
identifies the direct object money.]

Years of hard work had made her successful. [The adjective

successful modifies the direct object her.]

Only a few verbs take an object complement: consider, make, and verbs that can
be replaced by consider or make, such as appoint, call, choose, elect, keep,
name, cut, paint, and sweep.

EXAMPLES Many literary historians call [or consider] Shakespeare the greatest
dramatist of all time.

The flood had swept [or had made] the valley clean.

Will the committee appoint [or make] her the new interim leader?

Children, keep [or make] it quiet in there.

An objective complement may be compound.

EXAMPLES The Gibsons named their two cats Bruno and Waldo.

Charlena painted her old bicycle black and silver.

Cut my bangs short and straight, please.

[NOTE] For emphasis, the objective complement may precede the subject, verb,
and direct object.

EXAMPLE What an exciting adventure our science teacher made the field
trip!

The Subject Complement

A subject complement is a word or word group in the predicate that identifies
or describes the subject. A subject complement completes the meaning of a
linking verb. There are two kinds of subject complements: predicate nominatives
and predicate adjectives.

15k. A predicate nominative is a word or word group that is in the predicate

and that identifies the subject or refers to it.

A predicate nominative may be a noun, a pronoun, or a word group that

functions as a noun. A predicate nominative completes the meaning of the
linking verb.
EXAMPLES Adela Rogers St. Johns became a famous journalist. [The noun
journalist refers to the subject Adela Rogers St. Johns]

Of all the dances, Marcelo was the most experienced one. [The
pronoun one refers to the subject Marcelo.]
 A reliable, fuel-efficient car is what we need. [The noun clause
what we need refers to the subject car.]

A predicate nominative may be compound.

EXAMPLES The two candidates for the class treasurer are Marco and I.

Was that oatmeal or cold cereal Marilla had for breakfast?

South Dakota’s chief crops are corn, wheat, and oats.

15l. A predicate adjective is an adjective that is in the predicate and that

modifies the subject.

A predicate adjective completes the meaning of a linking verb.

EXAMPLES The ocean is calm. [The adjective calm modifies the subject ocean.]

Does that orange taste bitter? [The adjective bitter modifies the
subject orange.]

All of the astronauts look confident. [The adjective confident

modifies the subject All.]

A predicate adjective may be compound.

EXAMPLES Does this blouse look pink or mauve to you?

Most parrots are noisy, colorful, and sociable.

[NOTE] For emphasis, a subject complement may precede the subject and verb.

PREDICATE NOMINATIVE What as outstanding basketball player Michael

Jordan was! [The noun player refers to the subject
Michael Jordan]

PREDICATE ADJECTIVE How talented she is! [The adjective talented

modifies the subject she.]

Classification of Sentences
15m. Sentences may be classified according to purpose.

(1) A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends with a period.

EXAMPLES The lock on the front door is broken.

David Glasgow Farragut led Union naval forces against the
Confederacy in 1864 in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

(2) An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question

mark.

EXAMPLES Have you seen a sculpture by Augusta Savage?

 What is the capital of New Mexico?

(3) An imperative sentence makes a request or gives a command. Most

imperative sentences end with a period.
A strong command ends with an exclamation point.

EXAMPLES Please pass the salad. [request]

Call this number in case of an emergency. [mild command]

Watch out! [strong command]

[NOTE] The subject of an imperative sentence is always understood to be you,

although you may not appear in the sentence.

(4) An exclamatory sentence shows excitement or expresses strong

feeling and ends with an exclamation point.

EXAMPLES What a great singer she is!

Ah, you have discovered the secret!

Ouch! That really hurt!

Sentences Classified According to Structure

17h. Depending on its structure, a sentence can be classified as simple,
compound, complex, or compound-complex.

(1) A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no

subordinate clauses.

A simple sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound verb, and any
number of phrases.

EXAMPLES Uncle Alan taught me how to play the mandolin.

The spotted owl and the golden-cheeked warbler are endangered

species. [compound subject]

Covered with dust and cobwebs, the old bicycle looked terrible but
worked just fine. [compound verb]

(2) A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses

and no subordinate clauses.

The independent clauses in a compound sentence may be joined by a comma

and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, or, yet) by a semicolon,
or by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.

EXAMPLE Lorenzo’s story sounded incredible, but it was true. [two

independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating
conjunction but]
 Althea Gibson was successful at Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958; she
won the doubles and singles championships both years. [two
independent clauses joined by a semicolon]

The defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo was a victory for Britain;

however, it brought to an end an era of French grandeur. [two
independent clauses joined by a semicolon, the conjunction adverb
however, and a comma]

Common Conjunctive Adverbs

also however nevertheless
anyway instead otherwise
besides likewise still
consequently meanwhile then
furthermore moreover therefore

Common Transitional Expressions

as a result for example in other words
at any rate in addition on the contrary
by the way in fact on the other hand

[NOTE] Be careful to distinguish a simple sentence that has either a compound

subject or a compound verb from a compound sentence.

SIMPLE The archaeological discovery was made in the fall and was
SENTENCE widely acclaimed the following spring. [compound verb]

COMPOUND The archaeological discovery was made in the fall, and it

SENTENCE was widely acclaimed the following spring.

(3) A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least

one subordinate clause.

EXAMPLES Thurgood Marshall, who served on the United States Supreme

Court for twenty-four years, retired in 1991. [The
independent clause is Thurgood Marshall retired in 1991. The
subordinate clause is who served on the United States
Supreme Court for twenty-four years.]

While we were on vacation in Washington, D.C., we visited

the Folger Shakespeare Library, which is devoted to
Shakespeare’s legacy. [The independent clause is we visited
the Folger Shakespeare Library. The subordinate clauses are
While we were on vacation in Washington, D.C., and which is
devoted to Shakespeare’s legacy.]

(4) A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent

clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

EXMPLES My mom just spoke to Mr. Kostas, who runs the neighborhood
watch program, and he told her about last night’s meeting.
[The two independent clauses are My mom just spoke to Mr.
Kostas and he told her about last night’s meeting. The
subordinate clause is who runs the neighborhood watch
program.]

Chelsea is only seven years old, but she can already play the
violin better than her tutor can. [The two independent
clauses are Chelsea is only seven years old and she can
already play the violin better. The subordinate clause is that
her tutor can.]