Write after the proper number the subject and the verb in each sentence. Underline subjects once and verbs twice. Be careful to include all parts of compound verbs, as well as all words in a verb phrase.
Rule 2.c The Simple Subject The simple subject is the principal word or group of words in the subject. Rule 2.d The Simple Predicate (Verb) The principal word or group of word in the predicate is called the simple predicate or verb. Rule 2.e Compound Subjects A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a conjunction and have the same verb. Rule 2.f Compound Verbs A compound verb consists of two or more verbs that are joined by a conjunction and have the same subject
To find the subject, first find the verb, then ask who? or what?
1. Your weight, according to the doctor, is 55 kilograms.
2. Should you drop sundaes from your diet or add them to it?
3. You ability to decide depends upon your working knowledge of the metric system.
4. In 1821 John Quincy Adams proposed adoption of the metric system in the United States.
5. Most countries already employ this system of weights and measures.
6. Adoption of this system in the United States has been debated in Congress.
7. The United States Metric Board guides the proper implementation of this system.
8. The changeover will probably take many years.
9. The necessary changes and adjustments will also cost a good deal.
10. The cost of replacing all speed limit signs in the United States will, by itself, be enormous.
11. Under this system, the basic unit for measuring distance is the meter, equal to about 3 1/3 feet.
12. Weight will be calculated under the metric system in grams or kilograms instead of ounces or pounds.
13. To imagine the weight of a gram, lift a paper clip.
14. A shopper buys milk by the liter, roughly equivalent to a guart.
15. Prefixes for these units, such as kilo-, milli-, centi-, inddicate an increase or decrease in size.
16. A kilogram, or 1000 grams, equals 2.2 pounds.
17. We would substitute the Celsius for the Fahrenheit scale in measuring temperature.
18. On the Celsius scale, zero represents the freezing point of water.
19. There will be, undoubtedly, many changes in everyday speech.
20. No longer could you be offered an inch and take a mile.
Copy after the proper number the objects of the verb or verbs in each sentence. After each object, write i.o. for indirect object or d.o. for direct object. If a sentence has no object, write none.
Rule 2.g Direct Objects The direct object of a verb receives the action of the verb or shows the result of the action. It answers the question "what?" or "whom?" after and action verb. Rule 2.h Indirect Objects The indirect object of the verb precedes the direct object and usually tells to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done.
To find objects, first find the verb and subject. Subject plus verb plus Who? or What? equals direct object. Subject plus verb plus direct object plus the question to whom? or for whom? equals indirect object. A sentence must have a direct object in order to have an indirect object.
1. Modern science leaves some patients in a unique condition.
2. The science pages of the newspapers tell us strange stories.
3. Modern science is so advanced that even doctors have difficulty keeping up with their own profession.
4. There is so much for them to do, and so little time, that they work under great pressures.
5. A doctor had told a cancer patient the sad news that the amputation of her leg would be necessary.
6. His patient had protested the operation with great force.
7. She told the doctor stories she had heard about new leg bones made of metal alloys.
8. The doctor knew some of the developments in the field, but not all.
9. He gave his patient the benefit of the doubt, and offered her a new operation instead of the amputation.
10. Years later, the healthy patient still laughed aloud and proudly tapped her leg, with its it new titanium-polyethylene thigh-bone.
After the proper number, write the predicate nominatives or predicate adjectives in each of the following sentences; identify each with the abbreviation p.n. or p.a. Some sentences contain more than one complement.
Rule 2.i Predicate Nominatives A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun complement that refers to the same person or thing as the subject of the verb. It follows a linking verb. Rule 2.j Predicate Adjectives A predicate adjective is an adjective complement that modifies the subject of the verb. It follows a linking verb.
1. Pablo Casals was a famous cellist.
2. Her speech before the committee seemed effective.
3. About noon the sky became dark and ominous.
4. The loss of his fortune was a fatal blow.
5. Before a match I always feel extremely nervous.
6. Consuelo has been an excellent captain.
7. Deep are the root of this family.
8. Some of the new regulation seem quite unfair.
9. Long and perilous was Ulysees' voyage home.
10. It was Helen who appeared happy at the news.
11. The outcome of the election was uncertain for a long time.
12. Although the teacher was absent, the class remained orderly.
13. You can be sure that your anonymous benefactor is either he or Mrs. Graham.
14. If you had been ready, no one would have been late.
15. After her vacation, aunt Jo looked better and felt better.
16. In spite of many corrupting influences, he remained honest.
17. The ocean mist smelled filshy and tasted salty.
18. The older boys grew tall, but the youngest stayed short.
19. If you were president, you would not be so dictatorial.
20. Shortly after graduating, she became a pilot in the United States Air Force.
In each of the following sentences identify the subject, verb and subject complements. Underline subjects once, verbs twice and write the appropriate abbreviation above all the subject complements.
1. O. Henry is the pseudonym of the American writer William Sydney Porter.
2. Although born in Greensboro, NC, O. Henry is most famous for his stories about New York City.
3. As a result of his frequent, long walks through the city streets, he knew all aspects of the rapidly growing metropolis.
4. Through his writing, he gave us a clear, if romantic, picture of the city in the early 1900's.
5. The New York World paid O. Henry one hundred dollars for each of his weekly stories.
6. Many of his characters were people in poor or modest circumstances.
7. In O. Henry's time, the population of NYC was four million.
8. O. Henry describes the troubles, hardships, and joys of the "four million" in his short stories.
9. The vivid descriptions in his stories give the reader a sympathetic understanding of the characters.
10. The typical O. Henry story is sentimental and full of stereo-typed characters.
11. His best-known story is "The Gift of the Magi."
12. In "The Gift of the Magi," a young husband sells his prized watch, and his wife sells her beautiful long hair.
13. With the proceeds he buys her a set of combs for Christmas, and she buys him a fob for his watch.
14. The stories usually have a surprise ending.
15. In spite of their faults, the stories are interesting, and they recreate for us the New York of generations ago.
Return to Grade 9.
Return to Warriner's Contents.