Surfside Academy Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I'm ashamed to admit that this sentence has me and my boys flummoxed. Dad said the glass was half full "Said" is the predicate, "Dad" is the subject but I'm not sure what to do with "was half full." Off to get out my Grammar Island along with another cup of coffee in shame...:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 That is when you draw the line after diagramming "dad said" up with the little fork at the end of it and add "the glass was half full" .... :) Did that describe it well enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poke Salad Annie Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) I see this as: Dad is the subject. Said is the verb. (That) the glass is half full is a noun clause, functioning as a direct object. The word *that* is implied, or understood. In the clause, the (art.) glass (subj) was (l.v.) half (adj.) full (PA) Edited February 7, 2012 by Poke Salad Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Dad = subject noun said = transitive verb noun clause serving as an object = the glass was half full The noun phrase stands on what looks like a music stand with the=article adjective, was=linking verb, half=adjective, full=predicate adjective. Kind of like this one: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/englishhomework/ss/diagram_3.htm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloggermom Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Try the book Rex Barks, it is a huge help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poke Salad Annie Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 The noun phrase stands on what looks like a music stand with the=article adjective, was=linking verb, half=adjective, full=predicate adjective. Kind of like this one: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/englishhomework/ss/diagram_3.htm. Yes! I was trying to think of how to describe the drawing for the diagram, and you found a great one. Great link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfside Academy Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 I see this as: Dad is the subject. Said is the verb. (That) the glass is half full is a noun clause, functioning as a direct object. The word *that* is implied, or understood. In the clause, the (art.) glass (subj) was (l.v.) half (adj.) full (PA) Ah...I see it now. I was thinking it was a noun clause that serves as a D.O. but the indirect quote was throwing me off. If I had changed the sentence to Dad gave a half full glass, the D.O. becomes obvious. :tongue_smilie: My son initially picked out "was" for the predicate and I couldn't figure out how to explain why it wasn't...Again, the Hive comes through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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