The circumstance, subject, predicate, circumstance, addition, definition - these are all members of the sentence, its grammatically significant parts. They need to be able to find, not only to understand the meaning of what was said, but also to be able to competently build their speech.
In this article, we will talk about the various members of the sentences, as well as how to find and recognize them in the text.
Subject
This is the most significant part in the sentence. Speaking of 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 pronoun, which name an object (or object), they express the topic of this phrase - than it says.
The subject (answers the questions “who?” Or “what?”) Is usually represented by a word in the nominative case:
- Snow goes. (Subject: "snow" - a noun in the names. Case).
- I learned a poem. (Subject: "I" - a pronoun, a nominative case).
Sometimes the subject may take the form of an indirect case. For example, in the sentence “The kitten became 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 a verb in the imperative mood:
Or in cases where it is clear from the context which word is missing:
- I will come at eight. (This refers to the first person singular "I").
Predicate
It expresses the main part of the content of the proposal. The goal of the predicate is to tell what happened (is happening or will happen) with an object that is already called subject. This is the difference between the predicate and the circumstance, subject, circumstances, additions and definitions. This member of the sentence is usually expressed by the verb:
- Conversations subsided. (Predicted - the verb of the past tense - "died down").
- This bird will not fly far. (Predicted - “will not fly away”, future tense).
The predicate can be compound, that is, consist of two words. For example, if it is a compound verb predicate:
- He will not stop writing. (Predictable - compound, "will not stop writing").
Or it can have a verb only as a connective:
- Peter was then a student. (Predicted - "was a student").
You must learn to distinguish between circumstance and compound predicate.
Circumstance
It does not 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 circumstances in the sentence. Typically, a circumstance is an adverb or noun plus a preposition.
- Tomorrow we will go far. ( “Tomorrow” is a circumstance of time answering the question “when?” And expressed in an adverb, and “far away” is an adverb and a circumstance of a place (the question “where?”).
- He did not come due to illness. (The circumstance of the cause “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 manifestations of semantic shades. In addition to those mentioned, the circumstance may have other types:
- Mode of action and degree - answers the question "how?" (We will work enthusiastically).
- Goals - "why," "for what purpose?" (And the dwarf is going to swim!).
- Conditions - "under what condition?" (In case of deterioration in visibility, we will have to stop).
Addition
But besides the already mentioned parts of the sentence - circumstances, predicate, subject, circumstances - it is necessary to tell also about the supplement. It expands the meaning given to us by the predicate. This is usually the subject or person the action is directed at. So, it will be expressed as a noun - with or without a preposition. Questions to which the supplement answers: "whom?" or "what?", "to whom?" or "what?", "about whom?" or "what about?"
Additions are direct and indirect.
- I recently watched a movie. (The direct addition "film" is expressed as a noun in the accusative case, answers the question "what?").
- I'll sit in this chair. (An indirect addition is “to this chair.” It is expressed by a noun in the accusative case with the preposition “in”).
Definition
This member of the sentence serves to supplement or clarify the meaning of the noun. A definition denotes a feature of an object and answers the questions “what?”, “Which?”, “Which?”. Expressed, this member of the sentence can be an adjective, participle, numeral, pronoun. The definition is most often associated with the subject or addition.
- A refreshing breeze blew from the sea. (The definition of "refreshing" (which?) Is expressed by the participle, defines the noun "breeze", which in the sentence is subject).
- A funny girl came up to me. (The definition of "funny" (which?) Is expressed by an adjective, defines the noun "girl", which is a subject in the sentence).
- I read an interesting book. (The definition of "interesting" (which?) - an adjective, defines the noun "book", which in the sentence is a direct complement).
- It has been a long journey. (The definition of "long" (what?) Is expressed by an adjective, defines the noun "journey", which is included in the composite predicate "was a journey").
- The second film was more interesting. (The numeral "second" defines the subject "movie").
- Tomorrow I will come for my hat. (The pronoun “one's own” defines the addition “behind the hat”).
Sometimes in the role of a definition we will see a noun - in this case they speak of an inconsistent definition, that is, one that does not agree with the word being defined. Examples of inconsistent combinations: "lumberjack hut", "peace rose", "fruit core", etc.
We told you about how to find a subject, predicate, circumstance, definition and addition in a sentence.