sentence parts, phrases and clauses

identify the sentence in which an adverb clause is underlined

-although rabbits are small-, they run faster than grizzly bears.

identify the sentence in which an adverb clause is underlined

-although rain was drenching the players- , the players still finished the game

noun clauses

-that the flag is colorful- is undisputed the flag honors -when the Dutch rebelled- -who created the flag- is not known

identify the sentence in which the underlined clause is a noun clause that functions as the subject of the sentence

-whatever movie is playing- is acceptable to us

complements

A complement is a word or group of words that completes the meaning of the predicate of a sentence.

compound subject

A compound subject is two or more subjects that have the same verb and are joined by a conjunction such as and or or.

compound verb

A compound verb is two or more verbs that have the same subject and are joined by a conjunction such as and or or.

direct object

A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or group of words acting as a noun that receives the action of a transitive verb.

fragment

A fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought

nominative absolutes

A nominative absolute is a noun or pronoun followed by a participle or participial phrase that functions independently of the rest of the sentence. can show time, reason, or circumstance. The participle being is sometimes understood rather than expressed in some nominative absolutes. Example The camera [being] out of film, we stopped taking pictures of the forest fire. Do not mistake a nominative absolute for the main subject and verb in a sentence. As a phrase, a nominative absolute cannot stand independently as a complete sentence.

participal phrase

A participial phrase is a participle modified by an adverb or adverb phrase or accompanied by a complement. The entire phrase acts as an adjective. a participial phrase is set off by commas only if it is nonessential to the sentence.

predicate nominatives

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that appears with a linking verb and renames, identifies, or explains the subject.

sentence

A sentence is a group of words with two main parts: a complete subject and a complete predicate. Together, these parts express a complete thought.

indirect objects

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that appears with a direct object and names the person or thing that something is given to or done for. To locate an indirect object, first be sure the sentence contains a direct object. Then, ask one of these questions after the verb and direct object: To or for whom? To or for what?

infinitives

An infinitive is a form of a verb that generally appears with the word to and acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Examples The firefighter would like _to sleep_. The instructor gave them an assignment _to do_.

infinitive phrases

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive with modifiers, a complement, or a subject, all acting together as a single part of speech. With an Adverb The firefighters at the scene needed _to act quickly_. With an Adverb Phrase They hoped _to finish within a few minutes_. With a Complement They tried_to confine the blaze_. With a Subject and Complement The firefighters asked the crowd _to leave the area_.

objective complements

An objective complement is an adjective or noun that appears with a direct object and describes or renames it. A sentence containing an objective complement may at first glance seem to have two direct objects. Identifying objective complements is simplified when you know they occur only with such verbs as appoint, call, consider, declare, elect, judge, label, make, name, select, or think.

Identify the sentence in which the underlined clause is an object of a preposition.

As a courtesy, most ships usually fly the national flag of -whichever country they are visiting-.

In which sentence does the introductory word to the noun clause function as an adverb?

I do not know when the flagpole was painted

in which sentence does the introductory word to the noun clause function as an adverb?

I do not know when the flagpole was painted

gerunds and possessive pronouns

Only the possessive form of a personal pronoun is appropriate before a gerund. Incorrect Them risking their lives is heroic. Correct Their risking their lives is heroic.

forms of participles

Participles come in three forms: present participles, past participles, and perfect participles. Participles precede or follow the words they modify, answering Which one? or What kind? as do one-word adjectives. A verb has a subject and expresses the main action; a participle acting as an adjective describes a noun or pronoun.

Which sentence uses the word selection as a direct object?

The U.S. Senate, however, must approve the President's selection.

complete subjects and complete predicates

The complete subject contains the noun, pronoun, or group of words acting as a noun, plus their modifiers, that tells who or what the sentence is about. The complete predicate consists of the verb or verb phrase, plus any modifiers and complements, that tells what the complete subject does or is. complete subjects complete predicates critters creep a bell-clanging street car moved through the intersection wood or cellulose is a delicious meal for a termite

simple subject and simple predicates

The simple subject is the essential noun, pronoun, or group of words acting as a noun that cannot be left out of the complete subject. The simple predicate is the essential verb or verb phrase that cannot be left out of the complete predicate.

gerund

Verbs ending in -ing can be used as nouns called gerunds. A gerund is a form of a verb that acts as a noun. Examples Training is the fire department's favorite activity. Climbing is an important part of the job.

gerund phrases

a gerund with modifiers or a complement, all acting together as a noun.

phrase

a group of words without a subject and verb that functions as one part of speech

appositive

a noun or pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun in order to identify, rename, or explain it.

subject complements

a noun, pronoun, or adjective that appears with a linking verb and tells something about the subject.

adjective phrases

a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun by stating what kind or which one. Adjective phrases can modify any sentence part that is acting as a noun.

adverb phrases

a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb by pointing out where, when, in what way, or to what extent. When modifying a verb, an adverb phrase may come before or after the modified word.

adjective clause

a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. An adjective clause appears after the noun or pronoun it modifies. It usually begins with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, or whose) or with a relative adverb (such as before, since, when, where, or why).

noun clause

a subordinate clause used as a noun Subject- _Whatever information you need_ can be found in this book. Direct Object- The soldiers carried _whichever flag belonged to their country_. Indirect object- _The group sent whoever requested information_ a brochure about the history of flags. Predicate nominative- to change the design of the ensign is _what I would like_ Obj of a prep- I will cut the banner to _whatever length you desire_.

verbal

a word derived from a verb but used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Like verbs, verbals may be modified by adverbs and adverb phrases, or they may have complements. A verbal with modifiers or a complement is called a verbal phrase.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans, directs, and conducts all nonmilitary U.S. space activity. Which of the words or phrases is the direct object?

activity

An etching of a cave bear was found. In the sentence, the phrase of a cave bear is _____.

adj phrase

Which sentence uses the word them as an indirect object?

after my grandparents sent me a book about aeronautics, i wrote them a thank-you note

although rain had been predicted, the flag was still raised. identify the adverb clause

although rain had been predicted the adverb clause starts with the conjunction although.

predicate adjectives

an adjective that appears with a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. A predicate adjective refers to the subject by describing it in much the same way any adjective modifies a noun or pronoun.

identify the sentence in which the underlined clause is an object of a preposition

as a courtesy, most ships usually fly the national flag of -whichever country they are visiting-

In which sentence is the underlined phrase an adjective prepositional phrase?

basketball has several types of defensive strategies

The townspeople launched the boat into the rough waters. Identify the direct object in the sentence.

boat

subordinate clause

cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence; it is only part of a sentence. Subordinate clauses can add important details to sentences and show relationships between ideas.

in which sentence is the word exiting a gerund?

check the smoke detectors before exiting.

relative pronouns

connect adjective clauses to the words they modify and act as subjects, direct objects, objects of prepositions, or adjectives in the clauses. Example The flag _that was comprised of green, red, and white stripes_ was the Italian flag. (The relative pronoun is that.) who, whom, whose, which, and that

prepositional phrases

contain prepositions and nouns or pronouns called the objects of the preposition. The objects may have modifiers and be compounds.

Stalactites, hanging formations on the roof of a cave, are formed when water rich in calcium carbonate drips through cracks in the rock above.

contains nonessential material

in which sentence does the gerund firefighting function as the subject?

firefighting is definitely a dangerous job.

participle

form of a verb that can act as an adjective

relative adverbs

function only as adverbs within clauses. Remember that an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It answers any one of the following questions: Where? When? In what way? or To what extent?

independent clause

has a subject and a verb and can stand by itself as a complete sentence. All complete sentences contain at least one independent clause.

In which sentence does the underlined noun clause function as the object of a preposition?

i will write lyrics to -whichever melody you create-

Which sentence has an adverb phrase that modifies a verb?

in Mammoth Cave National Park, you can tour the parks

in which sentence is the word fighting used as a gerund?

in general, fighting does not solve problems

In 1981, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration built the country its first space shuttle. How does the word country function in this sentence?

indirect object

adverb clauses

is a subordinate clause that acts as an adverb. Recall that an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, an adverb, or a verbal. It does this by pointing out where, when, in what way, to what extent, under what condition, or why. An adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and contains a subject and a verb, although they are not the main subject and verb in the sentence. This kind of subordinate clause may modify any word that an adverb can.

My friend Marilyn enjoyed the tour of the cavern. Which of these words or phrases in the sentence is an appositive?

marilyn

In the 1970s, Congress granted the National Aeronautics and Space Administration funds for a new spacecraft. Which word or phrase is the indirect object in the sentence?

nasa

appositive phrase

noun or pronoun with modifiers placed next to a noun or pronoun in order to add information and details. One-word adjectives, adjective phrases, or other groups of words acting as adjectives can modify an appositive. Appositives and appositive phrases can modify or rename any sentence part that is acting as a noun.

elliptical sentence

one in which the missing words can be easily understood examples until later. why such a sad face?

The band director was happy after the concert. What is the function of the word happy in the sentence?

predicate adjective

a symbolic flag is -what everyone wants- the underlined noun clause in the sentence functions as

predicate nominative

In which sentence is the underlined phrase an adverb prepositional phrase?

she was born in kansas in 1897

elliptical

some adverb clauses beginning with as or than are elliptical. The verb or both the subject and the verb clause are understood but not stated. verb understood - I recognized as many flags as he [did]. subject and verb understood - The UN building has more flags than [it has] rooms.

The television series about forensics gave our teacher valuable information to share with us. Which word in the sentence functions as the indirect object?

teacher

The Chinese began using flags more than 3,000 years ago. They made flags from silk. Which sentence combines the two sentences using an adjective clause that functions as part of the subject?

the Chinese, who made flags from silk, began using them more than 3,000 years ago

The town elected a fire chief, and he is a fearless leader. In which option is a participial phrase used to revise the sentence?

the fire chief elected by the town is a fearless leader.

adverb clauses

the flag known more -than Britain's- we lasted longer -than they expected-

adjective clauses

the flag, -which incorporates three flags- one country -that is not represented- the flag -that the British fly-

in which sentence is the underlined phrase an adjective clause

the platypus, -which is a mammal-, has a bill like a duck and feet like an otter

Over time, this acidic groundwater eventually eats away at the rock, leaving an underground chamber, or cave. Which of these statements about the sentence is true?

the sentence has two adverb phrases

in which sentence does the adverb clause modify an adjective?

the veteran appeared proud as he saluted the flag

In which sentence is the relative pronoun used within the object of a preposition?

this is the flag designer of whom i have spoken. the relative pronoun is whom. the preposition OF appears right before the relative pronoun.

With the advent of the space shuttle program, NASA spent more time on military projects, despite its original mandate as a civilian agency. Which word from the sentence is the direct object?

time

Which of these sentences has an infinitive phrase that functions as an adverb?

to make matters worse, a strong wind propelled the fire

Caves under the water can be formed in different ways. Which of these phrases is an adjective phrase?

under the water

in which sentence does an adverb clause modify a verb?

we saluted because the flag had been raised. the adverb clause is _because the flag had been raised_. It modifies the verb saluted.

the tattered flag, which inspired francis scott key, was on display at the museum. which group of words is the adjective clause?

which inspired francis scott key

The committee judged that entry the winner. Which of these words is the objective complement?

winner