Is there an easy way to remember how to identify the subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, Predicate nominative, and predicate adjective of a sentence? Is there any tricks? Im so confused.
I don't know of any "easy" way.
I taught my students to follow these steps.
1. Put parentheses around prepositional phrases. They are not any other part of the sentence.
2. Find the verb(s). To find it, ask what is the action or state of being?
3. Find the subject(s). To find it, ask who or what is doing the action.
4. Is there a complement? Does anything complete the action of the verb?
5. Subject complements follow linking verbs and name or describe the subject. They may be adjectives or nouns.
6. Object complements complete the action of the verb. Direct objects tell who or what after the verb. Indirect objects tell to whom or what or for whom or what after the verb.
http://sparkcharts.sparknotes.com/writing/englishgrammar/section1.php
Yes, there are some tricks and strategies to help you identify the subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, and predicate adjective of a sentence. Here's a breakdown of each one with some tips on how to identify them:
1. Subject: The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb or is being described by the linking verb. To identify the subject, ask yourself "Who or what is performing the action?" or "Who or what is being described?" For example, in the sentence "John ate an apple," the subject is "John."
2. Verb: The verb is the action or state of being in a sentence. To identify the verb, ask yourself "What is the action or what is happening?" For example, in the sentence "John ate an apple," the verb is "ate."
3. Direct Object: The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb in a sentence. To identify the direct object, ask yourself "Whom or what is being acted upon?" For example, in the sentence "John ate an apple," the direct object is "apple."
4. Indirect Object: The indirect object is the noun or pronoun that receives the direct object or for whom the action is performed. To identify the indirect object, ask yourself "To whom or for whom is the action being done?" or "Who is receiving the direct object?" Not all sentences have an indirect object. For example, in the sentence "John gave Maria an apple," the indirect object is "Maria."
5. Predicate Nominative: The predicate nominative is the noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject after a linking verb. To identify the predicate nominative, ask yourself "What renames or identifies the subject?" For example, in the sentence "She is a teacher," the predicate nominative is "teacher."
6. Predicate Adjective: The predicate adjective is the adjective that describes or modifies the subject after a linking verb. To identify the predicate adjective, ask yourself "What describes or modifies the subject?" For example, in the sentence "The flowers are beautiful," the predicate adjective is "beautiful."
Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to recognizing these elements in a sentence. Reading and analyzing various sentences can help you become more familiar with identifying subjects, verbs, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, and predicate adjectives.