Circumstance, subject, predicate, circumstance, object, definition - all these are members of the sentence, its grammatically significant parts. You need to be able to find them in order not only to understand the meaning of what was said, but also to be able to competently build your own speech.
In this article we will talk about the various members of sentences, as well as how to find and recognize them in the text.
Subject
This is the most significant part of a sentence. Speaking about how the circumstance, predicate, subject, circumstance, addition and definition differ from each other, it is worth mentioning that in most cases the subject is expressed by a noun or a pronoun that names an object (or object), expresses the theme of this phrase - that, about than it says.
The subject (answers the questions "who?" or "what?") is usually represented by a word in the nominative case:
- It's snowing. (Subject: "snow" -noun in names. case).
- I learned a poem. (Subject: "I" - pronoun, nominative case).
Sometimes the subject can be in the oblique case. For example, in the sentence "The kitten got cold" we see that the subject is expressed in the form of the noun "kitten", which is in the dative case.
In some cases, the subject may be omitted. For example, in sentences in which the predicate is expressed by the verb in the imperative mood:
Come here
Or in cases where it is clear from the context which word is missing:
I'll be there at eight. (This refers to the first person singular "I")
Predicate
It expresses the main part of the content of the sentence. The purpose of the predicate is to tell what happened (is happening or will happen) with an object that has already been called the subject. This is the difference between the predicate and the circumstance, subject, circumstance, addition and definition. This member of the sentence is usually expressed by the verb:
- Talking subsided. (Predicate - past tense verb - "subsided").
- This bird won't fly far. (Predicate - "will not fly away", future tense).
The predicate can be compound, that is, it can consist of two words. For example, if it is a compound verb predicate:
He won't stop writing. (The predicate is compound, "will not stop writing")
Or it can have a verb only as a link:
Peter was a student then. (Predicate - "was a student")
You need to learn to distinguish between circumstance and compound predicate.
Circumstance
Doesn't tell us anything new, but adds temporal (when?), spatial (where?) or other semantic nuances to the action indicated by the predicate - this can be called the role of circumstance in a sentence. As a rule, the circumstance is an adverb or a noun plus a preposition.
Tomorrow we will go far. ("Tomorrow" is an adverb of time answering the question "when?" and expressed by the adverb, and "far" is an adverb and adverb of place (the question "where?")
He didn't come because he was sick. (The circumstance of the reason "due to illness" answers the question "why?" and is expressed by a noun in the genitive case with a preposition)
This member of the sentence is one of the most diverse in terms of manifestations of semantic nuances. In addition to those mentioned, the circumstance can have other types:
- Mode of action and degree - answers the question "how?" (We will work hard.)
- Goals - "why", "for what purpose?" (And the dwarf is going to swim!)
- Conditions - "under what condition?" (In case of poor visibility, we will have to stop.)
Supplement
But besides the already mentioned parts of the sentence - circumstance, predicate, subject, circumstance -It is necessary to tell also about the addition. It expands the meaning given to us by the predicate. Usually this is the object or person to whom the action is directed. So, it will be expressed by a noun - with or without a preposition. The questions the add-on answers are: "whom?" or "what?", "to whom?" or "what?", "about whom?" or "about what?".
Additions are direct and indirect.
- I recently saw a movie. (The direct object "film" is expressed by a noun in the accusative case, answers the question "what?").
- I'm going to sit in this chair. (The indirect object is "to this chair". It is expressed by a noun in the accusative case with the preposition "in").
Definition
This part of the sentence serves to complete or clarify the meaning of a noun. A definition designates a sign of an object and answers the questions "what?", "what?", "what?". This member of the sentence can be expressed as an adjective, participle, numeral, pronoun. The definition is most often associated with the subject or object.
- A refreshing breeze blew from the sea. (The definition "refreshing" (what?) is expressed by the participle, defines the noun "breeze", which is the subject of the sentence).
- A cheerful girl approached me. (The definition "cheerful" (what?) is expressed by the adjective, defines the noun "girl", which is the subject of the sentence).
- I readinteresting book. (The definition "interesting" (what?) is an adjective, defines the noun "book", which is a direct object in the sentence).
- It's been a long journey. (The definition "long" (what?) is expressed by the adjective, defines the noun "journey", which is included in the compound predicate "was a trip").
- The second movie was more interesting. (The numeral "second" determines the subject "film").
- Tomorrow I will come for my hat. (The pronoun "one's own" defines the object "behind the hat").
Sometimes we will see a noun as a definition - in this case we speak of an inconsistent definition, that is, one that does not agree with the word being defined. Examples of inconsistent combinations: "lumberjack's hut", "rose of the world", "fruit core", etc.
We told you how to find the subject, predicate, circumstance, definition and object in a sentence.
