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

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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.

Which words are objects in these sentences?

  1. It's too bad you forgot the marshmallows!
  2. We're planning to make s'mores tomorrow night.
  3. But I guess we can just use peanut butter instead.
(A) you, night, instead
(B) I, planning, s'mores
(C) marshmallows, s'mores, peanut butter
(D) you, s'mores, peanut butter

Which words are subjects in these sentences?

  1. The word "doozie" comes from an advertising campaign for the Duesenberg.
  2. It was a super tricked-out luxury car produced in America in the 1930s.
  3. The ad campaign made "Duesie" American slang for something really impressive.
(A) campaign, it, campaign
(B) "doozie," America, something
(C) word, it, campaign
(D) word, it, slang

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

In which sentence is a form of the word rain functioning as an object?

(A) I love it when a good storm brings the rain down on our roof.
(B) In fact, when it rains, I head up to the attic just to listen to it.
(C) Rain on the attic roof makes curling up with a good book even cozier.
(D) Both A and B

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