Sentence Structure

Complements

I. Subject Complements

Follow LINKING verbsDescribe or rename the subject

Common linking verbs:

Forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, be, been

Others: appear, become, feel, look, sound, seem, taste

I. Subject Complements

A. Predicate nouns Rename or define the subject

Monarch butterflies are insects.

Cocoons become butterfly nurseries.

Predicate Nouns

Examples:

The verb notes are important facts.

(Facts define what notes are.)

Mark is a diligent student.

(Student renames what Mark is.)

I. Subject Complements

B. Predicate adjectives Describe the subject

Monarch butterflies are beautiful.

Cocoons feel sticky at first.

Predicate Adjectives

Examples:

The notes are extremely important.

(Important describes the notes.)

Mark is hardworking.

(Hardworking describes Mark.)

II. Objects of Action Verbs

Follow ACTION verbs Tell WHOM/WHAT receives the

action Tell TO/FOR WHOM the action is

performed

II. Objects of Action Verbs

A. Direct objects Receives action Answers (verb) what?

Ben threw Hines the ball.

Direct Objects

Examples:

Students must write notes about verbs.

(Ask: The students must write what?)

The notes have information for the test.

(Ask: The notes have what?)

A. Direct Objects, cont.

1. Not all action verbs have direct objects.

a. Transitive verbs- have direct objects (They transfer the action to the object.)

b. Intransitive verbs- no direct objects

Ex: Students copy the verb notes. (has DO) Students copy quickly. (no

DO)

II. Objects of Action Verbs

B. Indirect objects The person for whom the action is

performed. Answers (verb) (DO) to whom?

Ben threw Hines the ball.

Indirect Objects

Example:

Mark gave Tiffany the notes. (DO: notes)

(Ask: Mark gave the notes to whom?)

(subject)(verb) (DO)

Indirect Objects, cont.

1. Indirect objects do not use the prepositions to or for. If it uses to or for it is the object of a preposition.

Ex: Mark gave the notes to Tiffany.(This is not an indirect object. It is the object of the preposition to.)