English Study Guide

Subjects, Objects, & Clauses

 

A subject is who or what the sentence is about.An action verb is what the subject does A linking verb is a being verb that links the subject to its subject complement.If a sensory word is acting as a linking verb, you can replace it with a common linking verb to see if it makes sense and to figure out its use.

A direct object is the receiver of the action – it answers whom or what about the action verb. To find a direct object:

1. Find subject.2. Find action verb.3. Ask whom or what after the action verb and the answer = DO

For example: Tom caught the ball. Tom = S caught = V ball = DO

An indirect object is it answers to whom or for whom the action is done. To find an indirect object:

1. Find subject.2. Find action verb.3. Ask whom or what after the action verb and the answer = DO4. Ask to whom or for whom after the DO and the answer = IO

For example: Kelly gave me a card. Kelly = S gave = AV card = DO me = IO

A preposition is Common prepositions = about, above, across, after, against, among, …See Grammar Goodies & flashcard The noun that comes after a preposition is called the object of the preposition

For example: We walked across the parking lot.Across = prep lot = OP the & parking = modifiers

A subject complement is

To find a subject complement:1. Find subject.2. Find linking verb.3. Ask who or what after LV = SC

For example: Chip Kelly is the Eagles’ coach.Chip Kelly = S is = LV coach = SC

Direct objects and subject complements are alike because

Direct objects and subject complements are different because  

An independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence. It has a subject + a verb = complete thought.For example: Saint Dot’s Fair is this week.

An dependent clause is a clause that can NOT stand on its own as a sentence. It has a subject + a verb but it doesn’t make a complete thought or it doesn’t make sense on its own. Dependent Clause Clue Words = although, because, while, since, after, if, even though, …..see grammar Goodies To find a DC in a sentence: If it begins a sentence, it starts with a clue word and ends with a comma.If it doesn’t begin a sentence, skim the sentence for DC clue words. Next see if the DC clue word is followed by a S + V.

For example: Because the fair is this week, we will have a light work load.Another example is: I will work at the fair since it supports our school.

Independent and dependent clauses are alike because

Independent and dependent clauses are different because