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Student Edition
Lesson: Parts of Sentence Overview
Level 1, Unit 1
Learning Target
•
Review, identify, and use the parts of sentences.
To understand English grammar, you need to understand basic sentence structure. In English,
complete sentences are made up of at least one independent clause. An independent clause
contains both a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought. Sentences may also contain
objects, modifiers, and other parts of sentences.
Basic Parts of Sentences
Examples
Subject
usually a noun or pronoun; tells who
or what the sentence is about or who
is performing the action expressed by
the verb
(boldface words are subjects)
a verb; tells what the subject is doing
or expresses a state of being
(boldface words are verbs)
Verb
Object
Complement
Modifier
usually a noun or pronoun; receives
the action of a verb, tells who or what
receives the action of a verb
usually a noun or adjective; completes
the meaning of a linking verb such as
is, were, or seems; identifies or
modifies the subject of a linking verb
usually an adjective or adverb or a
phrase or clause acting as an adjective
or adverb; modifies or describes other
parts of the sentence
2014c. All Rights Reserved. The College Board
Isabella knows the answer.
Does the cat like your dog?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is my
favorite book.
Isabella knows the answer.
Does the cat like your dog?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is my
favorite book.
(boldface words are objects)
Isabella knows the answer.
Does the cat like your dog?
(boldface words are complements)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is my favorite
book.
It is fascinating.
(boldface words are modifiers) high
school senior, angry orangutan, left
hurriedly, turned to the right
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Student Edition
Lesson: Parts of Sentence Overview
Level 1, Unit 1
Identifying Parts of Sentences
The way a word or word group is used determines what part of a sentence it is.
Subject: The old well has water in it. (noun telling what the sentence is about and
performing the action)
Verb: Tears of joy well in his eyes. (verb telling what the subject, Tears, is doing and expressing
the action)
Object: We saw the well. (noun telling what receives the action of the verb saw)
Complement: The oldest structure on the farm is that old well. (noun identifying the subject
of the linking verb is)
Modifier: We performed well today. (adverb modifying the verb performed)
Modifier: She was sick last week but is well now. (adjective modifying the pronoun She)
Check Your Understanding
Either on your own or with classmates, think of words that can be used as three or more different
parts of speech—and therefore different parts of sentences. Think of at least three such words. For
each word, write at least three sentences, with the word functioning as a different part of the
sentence in each. Identify the word’s function (sentence part) in each sentence.
EXAMPLE: run
Subject: Our run today was long and difficult.
Verb: How fast can you run to the corner and back?
Object: I am going to shorten the run by a mile.
Complement: The best part of my day is my morning run.
Modifier (adjective): The show’s run time is 42 minutes.
2014c. All Rights Reserved. The College Board
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