Subjects, Objects, Predicates Introduction

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Sentences are like the pre-Leia Han Solos of clauses.

Translation: they make sense by themselves.

A sentence—also known as an independent clause—a word or group of words that expresses a complete thought, without other information. In order for a sentence to be a sentence, it needs to include both a subject and a predicate. A predicate is a verb and the object (or objects, that rascal) of the verb's affection. The tiniest sentence is just a subject and a verb. The biggest ones have a subject, verb, direct object, and indirect object.

So, in other words:

Always required:

  • Subject
  • Verb

Sometimes required:

  • Direct object
  • Indirect object
  • Other objects or modifiers

So what are these tricky little creatures: subjects, objects, and predicates? Don't be put off by their official-sounding titles—much like Professor Albus Dumbledore, they sound scary and intimidating, but they're totally approachable.

Quiz Yourself on Subjects, Objects, Predicates

1/5

Fill in the blanks: Emily and ______ decided to make fettuccine Alfredo for Michael's birthday dinner. When _____ and _____ started eating it, they discovered we had forgotten the cheese.

(A) me, she, him
(B) me, her, him
(C) I, she, he
(D) I, she, him

In which sentence does coffee function as the subject of the sentence?

(A) After living in Seattle in the '80s, my parents developed a taste for "Charbucks," which is what they call coffee that's super dark and roasted until it's almost burnt.
(B) But coffee like that makes my stomach hurt.
(C) I prefer my coffee light and sweet.
(D) Both B and C

Which word or words form the complete predicate in the following sentence?

Judi will go ice-skating next Tuesday with her imaginary friends Hampus and Valter.

(A) will
(B) will go
(C) will go skating
(D) will go ice-skating next Tuesday with her imaginary friends Hampus and Valter

In which sentence does the word journey function as the subject of the sentence?

(A) Columbus may have failed to find India on his journey, but he did happen to stumble on the entire other half of the world.
(B) I was scared for the fate of the baby turtles as I watched their epic journey to the ocean on the Discovery Channel.
(C) When John Cabot did not return from his latest journey, his Italian comrades ate gelato to make themselves feel better.
(D) With my entire left leg in a cast, a journey to my bedroom upstairs might take me all afternoon.

In which sentence does airplanes function as the subject of the sentence?

(A) I always loved building model airplanes with my Great Uncle Frank.
(B) Before he shared his hobby with me, I had a nervous breakdown thinking about even approaching airplanes.
(C) Even though model airplanes are much smaller than real airplanes, my affection for the little guys quickly transferred to their bigger cousins, too.
(D) Now I navigate an airplane with pleasure and confidence.

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