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Prentice Hall—Writing Coach
And Other Resources
Mrs. Lewis 2015
1

A complete sentence contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete
thought.

The subject of the sentence is the word or group of words that names the
person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action or is described. It answers
the questions Who? Or What? before the verb.
Most subjects are nouns or pronouns. The subject is usually, but
always, found near the beginning of the sentence.
Examples:
The keys are lost. (What?) Mr. Levy lost his keys. (Who?)
He has lost his keys before. (Who?)
The keys are in his pocket. (What?)
2

The verb in a sentence tells what the subject does, what is done to the
subject, or what the condition of the subject is.
 Examples:
My dog won first place.
(What my dog did.)
The ribbon was given at a ceremony.
(Explains what was done.)
He seems sleepy now.
(Linking verb, tells something about the dog.)
3
A
sentence is a group of words with a subject and a verb that
expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself and still
make sense.
Example of an incomplete thought:
in the closet in the hall
 This contains two prepositional phrases that need a subject and a verb to be a
complete thought , or sentence.
NOTE: An incomplete thought is called a fragment.
Example of complete thought:
The towels are in the closet in the hall.
4

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the subject and verb of each sentence.
1.
We enjoyed a picnic in the park.
2.
Winston has two paintings in the exhibit.
3.
A skunk wandered through the yard.
4.
Huge trucks haul goods across the country.
5.
Jane knows who left the note.
6.
Kendra has not done her homework yet.
7.
The door banged shut behind him.
8.
I miss my old neighborhood and school.
9.
Where did you get that hat?
10.
Marcus fixed the flat tire.
5

1.
Directions: Read the following groups of words. If a group of words expresses a complete
thought, write complete. If a group of words expresses an incomplete thought, write
incomplete.
Along a bumpy road.
2.
Gloria asked them to be quiet.
3.
My new MP3 player on the table.
4.
Chloe has never been to Chicago.
5.
Destroyed in a wildfire.
6.
Randall sings in a band.
7.
Finally arrived an hour late.
8.
You look happy today.
9.
Since I last saw you.
10.
Please turn out the lights.
6
 Directions: Choose
three of the incomplete sentences from the
previous practice exercise and write them as complete
sentences.
7

Imagine that you have two tiles. The tile on the left is the subject and
the tile on the right is the verb. It might look like this:
Water flowed.

Now, in the same way that you would add more tiles to a floor, add a
few more words.
Cold water flowed into the sink.

You could still add more tiles.
Icy cold water flowed into the old metal sink in a steady stream.
8
All
words to the left of the line are part of the complete subject. The main noun,
water, is the simple subject.
The complete subject of the sentence consists of the subject and any words related
to it.
Water flowed.
Cold water flowed into the sink.
Icy cold water flowed into the old metal sink in a steady stream.
9
Cold water flowed into the sink.
The icy cold water flowed into the old metal sink.
Icy cold water had flowed into the old metal sink in a steady stream.
All the words to the right of the line are called the complete
predicate. The verb flowed, or a verb phrase, such as had
flowed, is called the simple predicate.
The complete predicate of a sentence consists of the verb
and any words related to it.
10
Many sentences do not divide so neatly into subject and
predicate. Look at the examples below:
After the game, our family went out to eat.
subject
predicate
predicate
With the snow falling, the ski team began to practice.
Part of the predicate comes before the subject, in the black
color, and the rest of the predicate, also in black, comes after
the subject, shown in white.
11

Directions:
Read the sentences. Rewrite each sentence, and draw a vertical line
between the complete subject and the complete predicate. Then, underline the subject
once and the verb twice.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Our new television has a very clear picture.
Coyotes roam this area at night.
The children enjoyed the skateboard ramp in the park.
Daniel delivers newspaper every day.
Laurie Halse Anderson wrote the novel Speak.
Reggie is looking for a job after school.
Nate and Roseanne did not hear about the changed schedule.
The hockey players usually practice early in the morning.
My aunt from New York has been visiting us for a week.
Summer vacation will be here soon.
12

Directions: Read the items. Each item contains either a complete subject or a
complete predicate. Rewrite each item along with the missing part to create
complete sentences.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
________ spread through the forest.
The governor of our state ___________.
Skills in computer science ____________.
________ rolled off the counter and broke.
Three teenage athletes _______________.
__________ toppled over.
____________ can be prevented.
A beautiful rainbow _____________.
That car with the dent in its fender __________.
__________ occurs in the summer.
13
 Directions: Write
5 sentences about any kind of
animal. Draw a vertical line between the complete
subject and the complete predicate in each
sentence.
14
A
compound subject is two or more subjects that have he same
verb and are joined by a conjunction such as and or or.
 Examples:
Anna and Michelle are popular baby names.
Birds, rabbits, and other animals will make nests to live in.
15

A compound verb is two or more verbs that have the same subject and are
joined by a conjunction such as and or or.

Examples: The team may win or lose.
She reads, edits, and writes her books.

*Sometimes a sentence will have both a compound subject and a compound
verb.
Liza and Josh sang and danced in the play.
16

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the compound subject and/or the compound verb
in each sentence.
1.
Yolanda designs and sews her own clothes.
2.
Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are citrus fruits.
3.
Nina sat in the shade and sipped a cool drink.
4.
Either Ollie or Oscar left his sweatshirt here.
5.
Nikki wrote a story and posted it on her Web site.
6.
Canada, the United States, and Mexico are countries in North America.
7.
You may climb the stairs or ride the escalator.
8.
Several people in the room coughed and sneezed.
9.
We looked for wild strawberries but didn’t find any.
10.
My friends and I sometimes go to the track and run several laps.
17

Directions: Read the sentences. Combine each pair of sentences by using compound
subjects or compound verbs and write the new sentence.
1.
This street needs repair. The sidewalk does, too.
2.
Jonathan tried out for the team. He made it.
3.
I drank a glass of juice. Then, I ran for the school bus.
4.
Oil paintings were on sale at the craft fair. Pottery was also on sale.
5.
Renee wrote a long letter. She sent it to the editor of the newspaper.
6.
Nick mowed the grass. He raked the leaves.
7.
The teacher was happy about the test scores. The students were, too.
8.
Wind is a renewable energy. Water is as well.
9.
A police officer examined the accident site. She questioned all the witnesses.
10.
Tulips grew along the path. Daffodils grew there also.
18
 When
the subject follows the verb or part of the verb phrase,
it is called inverted word order. Questions are often in
inverted word order.
 Normal Word
sharp!
Order: The meeting will begin at 9:00 A.M.
 Inverted Word
subject
verb phrase
Order: When will the meeting begin?
helping verb
subject
main verb
19
 Sometimes
a subject is not actually stated in the sentence.
The subject of a command or request is understood to be
the pronoun you.
Commands or Requests
How the sentences are understood
Go!
(You) go!
Start at once.
(You) start at once.
Please get up.
(You) please get up.
Heather, write it down.
Heather, (you) write it down.
Tara, get the confirmation number.
Tara, (you) get the confirmation number.
20
 In
questions, the sentence is in inverted word order, therefore the
subject follows the verb.
 Examples: How are the muffins today?
Did you make them fresh this morning?
Have you found a basket for them yet?
 Having
trouble finding the subject? Change the questions to a
statement.
Examples: The muffins are how today.
You did make them fresh today.
You have found a basket for them yet.
21
 Not
every question is in inverted order. Questions
beginning with who, whose, or which often follow
normal word order.
 Examples:
Who has the new car?
Whose new car was right here?
Which driver should look at the car?
22

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the subject of each sentence.
1.
Open your books now.
2.
Reese, please show me your photos.
3.
Pass the ball to Lonnie.
4.
Hand me that towel, please.
5.
Take the first left after the stoplight.
6.
Recharge the battery when it runs down.
7.
Do not leave yet.
8.
Lou, work with Robert today.
9.
Please call me when you get home.
10.
Do not forget your gloves.
23

Directions: Read the questions. Write the subject of each sentence.
1.
Is the report due tomorrow?
2.
Did Rosemary enjoy the show?
3.
Do you know what prize you won?
4.
Does Kerri have an extra pen?
5.
Did you bring water for everyone?
6.
Would you like me to arrange the chairs?
7.
Did Sarah put my folder on my desk?
8.
Will we take a field trip?
9.
Is she worried about her father?
10.
Has everyone had a chance to respond?
24
Direction: Write
a sentence with the following listed items, and underline the subject
once, and the verb/ verb phrase twice in each sentence or question.
Write
a sentence/ question using inverted word order for
subject or verb.
Write
a sentence/ question that does not use inverted word
Write
a sentence using a command or request.
Write
a sentence starting with a question.
order.
25


There or here is never the subject of a sentence.
There and here can be used as adverbs at the beginning of the sentences. As
adverbs, these two words point out where and modify the verb.
Example: There goes the town mayor.
Here are the cards from the ceremony.

Be alert to sentences beginning with there and here. They are probably in
inverted word order, with the verb appearing before the subject.
26
 Having
trouble finding the subject? Reword the sentences in
normal word order. If there or here is just a sentence starter, you
can drop it from the reworded sentence.
Sentences beginning with there or here
Reworded with subject before verb
There is a mistake on the dinner order.
A mistake is on the dinner order.
Here is the correct list of orders.
The correct list of orders is here.
27


In some sentences, the subject follows the verb in order to emphasize the
subject, or make it stand out.
Examples: (Nouns are white, and verbs are red.)
In the midst of the crowd outside the restaurant stood my parents.
Flying above the yard was a large red-tailed hawk.
Hiding under the warm blanket was my little black puppy.
28
 Notice
how the order of the words builds suspense by
leading up to the subject?
Inverted Word Order
Reworded with Subject Before Verb
In the midst of the crowd outside the
restaurant stood my parents.
My parents stood in the midst of the crowd
outside the restaurant.
Flying above the yard was a large redtailed hawk.
A large red-tailed hawk was flying above
the yard.
Hiding under the warm blanket was my
little black puppy.
My little black puppy was hiding under
the blanket.
29

Directions: Read the sentence. Write the subject in each sentence.
1.
There are two unread messages in my e-mail.
2.
Here comes the coach now.
3.
There stood a solitary tree in the field.
4.
There goes the last bus without us.
5.
Here are a few more players.
6.
There is only one right answer.
7.
There had been dairy farms in this area.
8.
Here lives a famous writer.
9.
There are only a few stars out tonight.
10.
Here is a map you can follow.
30

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the subject of each sentence.
1.
In the middle of the hall hung grandfather's portrait.
2.
Into the office stormed an angry parent.
3.
Nowhere will you find a better mechanic.
4.
Under the porch were two stray kittens.
5.
Two blocks from here is the ice cream shop.
6.
His good looks he got from his father.
7.
All over the yard were broken branches.
8.
On these shores landed the first settlers.
9.
Down the drain swirled the muddy waters,
10.
Under no circumstances are you to disturb me!
31
A
complement is a word or group of words that completes the
meaning of a sentence.
• Usually nouns, pronouns, or adjective
• Located right after or very close to the verb.
• Complements answer questions about the subject or verb in order to
complete the sentence.
Examples: Jacob bought dinner.
The waiter told us the specials.
Our waiter was impatient.
Anna felt happy.
Carolyn won the game.
Subject
Verb
Complement
32
 There
are three types:
 direct
objects
 indirect
 subject
objects
complements
33
A
direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the
action of the verb.
• Ask the questions What? Or Whom? after an action verb.
 Examples:
(Subject Verb Complement)
My younger sister found the hidden presents. (Found what?)
I called Christina later that day. (Called whom?)
My dog Tinker likes a long run in the yard. (Likes what?)
34
 Two
or more direct objects.
 Examples:
(Subject Verb Complement)
The baby eats peas and other food.
The PTA chose Mrs. Dorf, Mrs. Malia, and Mrs. Niles to
plan the next formal.
35

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the direct object or the compound direct object in
each sentence.
1.
I usually buy my lunch in the cafeteria.
2.
The troop hiked ten miles last week.
3.
The rain soaked my jacket.
4.
Our teacher showed a film in class.
5.
Samantha washed the pots and pans after dinner.
6.
Come see the view from here.
7.
Tammy saved her money for six months.
8.
We brought grapes and apples for snacks.
9.
Carole plays both the piano and the flute.
10.
Ben asked Joel and me for help.
36

Directions: Read the sentences. Rewrite the sentence, and fill in the blanks with the
appropriate direct objects. Use both nouns and pronouns.
1.
Nadia saved ________to buy a camera.
2.
My family will visit _______this summer.
3.
I asked _______for a ride home.
4.
Our teacher instructed ______ and ______ to hand out the books.
5.
We saw ____, ____, and a _______ at the fair.
6.
Dan met ____ that day.
7.
On a clear night, he watches the ______.
8.
Nick designs ______ for a living.
9.
I’ve seen that ______, but I don’t know _____.
10.
Brian put the ______ into the trash can.
37


A direct object is never an adverb or the noun or pronoun at the end of a
prepositional phrase.
Examples: ( Subject Verb Direct Object Adverb Prepositional Phrase)
Dan rode his bike. (Rode what? bike)
Dan rode quickly. (Rode bike how? quickly)
Dan rode through town. (Rode where? through town)
Note this example: Dan rode his bike quickly through town.
It has all three of the above parts of speech! Wow!
38
A
direct object in a question will sometime be found
before the verb. Remember how some sentences have
inverted word order? (Subject Verb Direct Object)
Questions
Reworded in Normal Word Order
What recipes does your grandmother make?
Your grandmother does make what recipes.
What does the baby eat?
The baby does eat what.
Which shoes do you like, the cute flat ones or the
fancy boots?
You do like which shoes, the cute flat ones or
fancy boots.
Whom did you meet at the nursery?
You did meet whom at the nursery.
39

Directions: Read the sentences. Write whether the underlined word is a direct object
(DO), adverb (ADV), or an object of the preposition (OP).
1.
Brad noticed two eggs in the bird’s nest.
2.
The firefighters responded immediately to the alarm.
3.
The art students learned the basics of oil painting.
4.
Morgan made a mistake on her math problem.
5.
The students sat quietly through the assembly.
6.
Phoebe will take Spanish next.
7.
Daniel revised and edited his essay.
8.
A skater glided smoothly across the ice.
9.
Workers removed litter from the roadside.
10.
From the top of that hill, you can see for miles.
40
Directions: Read the questions. Write the direct object in each question.
1.
What answer did you give to Lucy?
2.
How many points did Kevin score?
3.
Whom did the team choose as captain?
4.
What program should we watch tonight?
5.
Whose phone did you borrow?
6.
Which shoes do you prefer?
7.
What sources did you use for your project?
8.
How many books did Tim read?
9.
What will you do about your missing key?
10.
Whom did you see there?
41


An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that comes after an action verb
and before a direct object. It names the person or thing to which something
is given for which something is done.
NOTE– a sentence cannot have an indirect object unless it has a direct object.
• An indirect object answers the questions To or for whom? Or To or for what? after an action verb.

Example: ( subject verb indirect object direct object)
Tovah’s dad told us the story.
Keep in mind this order when determining the indirect object.
42

Compound Indirect Objects—more than one indirect object!
( subject verb indirect object direct object)
Manny gave each flower and tree a trim.
(Gave what? trim)
(Gave a trim to what? flower and tree)
Dad offered Hannah and me dinner and a movie.
( Offered what? dinner and movie)
(Offered dinner and movie to whom? Hannah and me)
43

An indirect object never follows the preposition to or for in a sentence.
Grandpa bought her a television.
( Her is the indirect object. It comes after the verb bought and before the direct object television.)
Grandpa bought a television for her.
(Her is the object of the preposition for and follows the direct object television.)
Heather gave Tara a book.
(Tara is the indirect object. It comes after the verb gave and before the direct object book.)
Heather gave a book to Tara.
(Tara is the object of the preposition to and follows the direct object book.)
44

Directions: Write the indirect object in each sentence.
1.
I’ve already sent her two messages.
2.
Carrie fed her cat tuna.
3.
Seth made his mother a solemn promise.
4.
Please show me your new video game.
5.
The boys gave each other a high-five.
6.
The baby sitter told the children bedtime stories,
7.
Will you lend him a pencil?
8.
The business gave the school a donation for new equipment.
9.
Our class wrote the author a letter.
10.
Many people gave the hurricane victims food and shelter.
45

Direction: Read the sentences. Write whether the underlined word is an indirect object or
an object of a preposition.
1.
Phil told Mario the answer.
2.
Vanessa wrote her aunt a thank-you note.
3.
Do you have any news for us?
4.
Let’s make ourselves a snack.
5.
The teacher explained the assignment to Veronica.
6.
Ivy did her research in the library.
7.
David passed Brett the ball.
8.
Cecilia wanted time for herself.
9.
The Chamber of Commerce gives one worthy student a scholarship.
10.
Tara whispered a secret to Jocelyn.
46


A subject complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a
linking verb and provides important details about the subject.
NOTE: Direct objects and indirect objects are used with action verbs,
and tells more information about the verb. A subject complement is used
with linking verbs and gives more information about the subject.
Two types of subject complements:
Predicate noun or predicate pronoun
Predicate adjective
47
A
predicate noun or predicate pronoun follows a linking verb
and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence.

Think of the linking verb as the “equal sign” between the subject and the predicate noun
or pronoun. The predicate noun or pronoun are the same as the subject.
Bonnie will be the head of our committee.
(The predicate noun head renames the subject Bonnie.)
My first car was a white convertible.
(The predicate noun convertible identifies the subject car.)
The winners are we.
(The predicate pronoun we identifies the subject winners.)
( We probably don’t talk like this, but correct grammar.)
48

A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject of
the sentence.
• NOTE: Although the predicate adjective describes the subject of the sentence, it is still
considered a part of the complete predicate.
The flight to Mexico was long.
( The predicate adjective long describes the subject flight.)
The teacher seemed very sensitive to the needs of her students.
( The predicate adjective sensitive describes the subject teacher.)
49

Compound subject complements consist of two or more predicate nouns,
pronouns, or adjectives joined by a conjunction such as and or or.
Examples: (subject verb compound predicate noun, pronoun, or adjective)
My two best subjects are English and history.
The grass felt warm and wet.
The dessert was ice cream and fruit.
50

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the predicate noun and/or predicate pronoun in
each sentence.
1.
Gabe’s favorite sport is lacrosse.
2.
Regina is becoming a good painter.
3.
The capital of Texas is Austin.
4.
Mr. Hughes has been the director for years.
5.
The group leaders are Anne and she.
6.
The best part of camp was the swimming.
7.
Jimmy will be our representative in the debate.
8.
Shakespeare is probably the most famous playwright ever.
9.
Amy remains my friend even though she moved away.
10.
Your new car should be a hybrid.
51

Directions: Read the sentences. Write the predicate adjective or adjectives in each
sentence.
1.
That antique table seems valuable.
2.
As the storm continued, the roads became slippery.
3.
The character in the black shirt looks suspicious.
4.
Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and filling.
5.
Laura sounded joyful about the news,.
6.
You should be thankful for your good health.
7.
These plants grow taller every day.
8.
This soup tastes so good.
9.
The weather for our outing was breezy and warm.
10.
Stefan felt better after a break.
52

Directions: Read the sentence starters. Then, as indicated in the parenthesis, write a complete
sentence using a predicate noun, predicate pronoun, or predicate adjective.
1.
(predicate noun) The O’Reillys are our
2.
( predicate adjective) Sunning themselves on the beach, my parents seemed
3.
(predicate noun) Ms. Long could be the best
4.
(predicate pronoun) The last person on the bus was
5.
(predicate adjective) After dance class, she looked
6.
(predicate noun) Last September, Cali became
7.
(predicate pronoun) The big winner was
8.
(predicate adjective) This chili tastes
9.
(predicate adjective) The student council members are
10.
( predicate adjective) After the game the team seemed
53

Directions: Read the sentence starters, Then, add a compound subject complement to
create a complete sentence.
1.
Your speech sounded
2.
My grandfather was a
3.
To his friends, Jose seemed
4.
Just how I like it, the sandwich is
5.
The last two contestants were
6.
Her best friend from kindergarten is now
7.
After a day of exercising, Darnell is
8.
The water looks
9.
My two favorite foods are
10.
His flight delayed again, Ted grew
54