Review: Parts of the Sentence
Identify the hilighted word in each of the sentences below as a simple subject, a verb, a direct object, an indirect object, or a subject complement.
Question 1
The old house on the hill gave Leonora chills and conjured up images of ghosts and monsters and other unknown beings.
Simple Subject
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 2
Next to the china cabinet, Mrs. Wilkes placed a polished side table and an antique jug.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 2 - Explanation
"Table" is a direct object because it answers the question "what?" after the verb "placed."
Question 3
Despite winning the lottery last week, my cousin still seems unhappy.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Question 3 - Explanation
"Unhappy" is a subject complement because it follows the linking verb "seems" and complements the subject, "my cousin."
Question 4
They gave the university a large endowment for the scholarship fund.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 4 - Explanation
"University" is an indirect object because it answers the question "to what?" after the verb "gave." "A large endowment" is the direct object -- the thing that was given -- and the university is the recipient of the direct object.
Question 5
Some experts believe it is easy to overstate the role that genes and heredity play in determining a person's predisposition to alcoholism.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 5 - Explanation
"Believe" is a verb. It is connected to the subject "some experts."
Question 6
After the luncheon buffet, she grew drowsy and decided to take a nap.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Question 6 - Explanation
"Drowsy" is a subject complement because it follows the linking verb "grew" and complements the subject, "she."
Question 7
I don't know how you can understand anything that professor says.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 7 - Explanation
"Anything" is a direct object because it answers the question "what?" after the verb "can understand."
Question 8
There were no credits after the movie.
Simple Subject
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 8 - Explanation
"Credits" is a simple subject because it answers the question "what?" before the verb "were." Remember that "there" is merely signalling that the true subject will follow.
Question 9
His deaf aunt will be going to the symphony next week.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 9 - Explanation
"Going" is a verb (technically, it is actually a verbal). It is connected to the subject "his deaf aunt" and is supported by the auxiliary verbs "will be."
Question 10
The company has been mailing George CD catalogues ever since he bought his stereo.
Simple Subject
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Verb
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Direct Object
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Indirect Object
Good Work!
This answer is correct.
Subject Complement
X Oops!
This answer is not correct
Question 10 - Explanation
"George" is an indirect object because it answers the question "to whom?" after the verb "has been mailing." "CD catalogues" is the direct object -- the thing that has been mailed -- and George is the recipient of the direct object.
Written by Frances Peck