Definitions
What is a noun?
A noun is a person, place, thing, activity, or idea.
Identify the subject and the verb in this sentence:
Molly bakes Christmas cookies.
Molly = subject
bakes = verb
Somebody needs a hug!
Hug = direct object
Steve Jobs was running a large company.
was = helping
running = action (main)
What is the noun job of Buddy in this sentence?
Buddy, I've been around the world many times when I was a young cumulus cloud.
Noun of direct address
What is a verb?
A verb is a word that asserts an action, shows a state of being, or helps another verb.
Identify the subject and the verb in this sentence:
Martha is a great softball player.
Martha = subject
Is = verb
Elves love stories.
Stories = direct object.
People visit tree farms, bake cookies, and shop for gifts in December.
visit, bake, and shop = main (action) verbs
What part of speech is Owww?
"Oww! Son of a nutcracker!"
Interjection
What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.
Identify the subject and verb(s) in this sentence:
The neighborhood dogs have been barking since the fireworks started.
Independent clause - Subject: dogs - Verbs: Have been barking
Dependent clause - Subject: fireworks - Verb: started
The small red bugs are ladybugs, not aphids.
Ladybugs = predicate nominative (renaming small red bugs)
They'll feast, feast, feast on Whoville roast beast.
feast (x3) = main (action verb)
Find the prepositional phrases:
You sit on a throne of lies!
on a throne
of lies
What is a phrase?
A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb.
Identify the subject(s) and the verb(s):
Dogs and cats have been playing in the new snow.
Subjects: Dogs and cats
Verbs: Have been playing
I am a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.
ninny-muggins = predicate nominative (renaming I)
And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say, that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day.
happened = main (action)
say = main (action)
Grew = main (action)
Find the prepositional phrases:
You smell like beef and cheese. You don't smell like Santa.
like beef and cheese
like Santa
What is the difference between an independent clause and a dependent (or subordinate) clause?
An independent clause has both a subject and a verb, makes complete sense on its own, and can stand alone.
A dependent clause has both a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.
Identify the subject(s) and the verb(s):
Sally, who loves to read, will lead the new book club next month.
Independent clause - Subject: Sally - Verb: will lead
Dependent clause - Subject: who - verb: loves
He is an angry elf.
He must be a South Pole elf.
Smiling is my favorite.
elf = predicate nominative (renaming he)
elf = predicate nominative (renaming he)
favorite = predicate nominative (renaming smiling)
Identify all the verbs in the following sentence:
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "does not come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "does not come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
thought = main verb
does = helping verb
come = main verb
means = main verb
Find the prepositional phrase:
You have a pretty face. You should be on a Christmas card.
You have a pretty face. You should be on a Christmas card.