Download Parts of a sentence check 1. Find the subject 2. Find the verb Ask

Parts of a sentence check
1. Find the subject
2. Find the verb
Ask yourself if the verb is transitive or linking
Transitive has an object after it
Linking is a “to be” verb or can be replaced with a “to be” verb
If it’s a transitive verb:
3. Ask “whom?” or “what?” after the verb – if it stops here, it’s the Direct Object.
4. Ask “to whom?” or “to what?” the action is done – if it stops here, the word is the Indirect Object.
5. If the word doesn’t answer “to whom?” or “to what?” then it may be the objective complement. An objective
complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that modifies the Direct Object.
If it’s a linking verb:
3. Decide if the word is an adjective or a noun.
4. If the word is a noun, it’s the predicate nominative. If the word is an adjective, it’s a predicate adjective.
EXAMPLES
Identify the italicized words.
Beasley destroyed the book on the counter.
1. The subject? Beasley
2. The verb? Destroyed – transitive or linking? Transitive
3. Destroyed what? The book
The sequence stops there, so book is the direct object.
Beasley brought me the bone.
1. The subject? Beasley
2. The verb? Brought – transitive or linking? Transitive
3. Brought what? The bone
4. Brought the bone to whom? To me
The sequence stops there, so “me” is the indirect object
I consider Beasley naughty.
1. The subject? I
2. The verb? Consider – transitive or linking? Transitive
3. Consider whom? Beasley
4. Consider Beasley to what? Naughty – doesn’t make sense. Naughty is an adjective modifying the direct
object, so it’s an objective complement.
Beasley is a naughty dog.
1. The subject?
2. The verb? Is – transitive or linking? Linking (is/was/am/were/etc. are all “to be” verbs)
3. Is dog an adjective or a noun? It’s a noun
4. Dog is the predicate nominative.
Beasley is naughty almost every night.
1. The subject? Beasley
2. The verb? Is – transitive or linking? Linking
3. Is naughty an adjective or a noun? Adjective
4. Naughty is the predicate adjective.