AN ADJECTIVE, 8. AN INTERJECTION.THESE EIGHT PARTS ARE KNOWN AS THE...

4. - GRAMMAR USAGE FOR BETTER WRITING DOCX 4. - GRAMMAR USAGE FOR BETTER WRITING DOCX 4. - GRAMMAR USAGE FOR BETTER WRITING DOCX 4. - GRAMMAR USAGE FOR BETTER WRITING DOCX
GRAMMAR USAGE FOR BETTER WRITING DOCX

4. an adjective, 8. an interjection.

These eight parts are known as the parts of speech.

We use the parts of speech to build sentences. For example, if we put together the noun

sunburn and the verb itches, we can make the following statement:

Sunburn itches.

N

.

V

.

We can expand this statement by adding the adjective my:

My sunburn itches.

ADJ

.

N

.

V

.

We can also add the adverb painfully:

My sunburn itches painfully.

ADJ

.

N

.

V

.

ADV

.

If we should want to ask a question, we can begin with a verb. Here is a question made

up of the verb is, the noun sunburn, and the adjective painful.

Is sunburn painful?

V

.

N

.

ADJ

.

1

Of course, we can expand this question. For example, we can add the adverb usually.

Is sunburn usually painful?

V

.

N

.

ADV

.

ADJ

.

The system that our language uses to put parts of speechtogether into sentences is known as grammar.

The first two lessons focus on the two basic parts of any sentence: the subject and the

predicate.

Lesson 1 The Subject

A sentence has two parts: (1) a subject and (2) a predicate. This lesson deals with the

subject.

The subject is the part of the sentence about whichsomething is told or asked.

The seats on the bus are very comfortable.

QUESTION

: About what is the sentence telling something?

ANSWER

: The seats on the bus.

SUBJECT

: The seats on the bus.

Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific.

QUESTION

: About whom is the sentence telling something?

ANSWER

: Amelia Earhart.

SUBJECT

: Amelia Earhart.

Has your brother Tom found a summer job?

QUESTION

: About whom is the sentence asking something?

ANSWER

: your brother Tom.

SUBJECT

: your brother Tom.

Position of the Subject

The subject is usually found at the beginning of the sentence, but it can also appear in

other positions.

SUBJECT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE

:

An experienced pilot was at the controls at the time of the crash.

SUBJECT AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE

:

At the controls at the time of the crash was an experienced pilot.

T H E S U B J E C T 3

SUBJECT WITHIN THE SENTENCE

:

At the time of the crash, an experienced pilot was at the controls.

Finding the Subject

A sure way to find the subject is to answer one or the other of these questions:

• About whom or about what is the sentence saying or asking something?

• Who or what is doing, or has done, or will do something?

Question 1:

What is the subject of the following sentence?

The score at the end of the quarter was 12–12.

Procedure:

Ask yourself: “About what is the sentence saying something?”

Obviously, The score at the end of the quarter.

Answer:

The subject is The score at the end of the quarter.

(The subject tells about what the sentence is saying something.)

Question 2:

What is the subject of the following sentence?

The orchestra members tuned their instruments.

Procedure:

Ask yourself: “Who did something?”

Answer:

The subject is The orchestra members.

(The subject tells who did something.)

Question 3:

What is the subject of the following?

Wait outside, please.

Procedure:

Ask yourself: “Who is to wait outside?”

Answer:

The subject is You (understood).

(You) wait outside, please.

Note:

In an imperative sentence (a sentence expressing a command or mak-

ing a request), the subject You is not expressed but understood.

Question 4:

What is the subject of the following?

Is the door to the basement locked?

Procedure:

Ask yourself: “Is what locked?”

Answer:

The subject is the door to the basement.