LESSON II.

SUBJECT AND PREDICATE.

1. Robert walked to the station.

2. The violet blossoms in the spring.

3. The sun will set soon.

Tell what each sentence is about, and what is said about the thing spoken of.

How many parts has each sentence? What does one part show? What does the other part tell?

The part of a sentence that shows what is spoken of is called the subject.

The part of a sentence that tells something about the thing spoken of is called the predicate.

Name the subject and the predicate in each of the sentences above.

WRITTEN EXERCISES.

I.

Copy the following sentences, and name the subject and the predicate in each. Re-arrange the words, if necessary, to show the usual declarative form:

1. Some plants are used for food.

2. Yonder stands the tree.

3. Our train was ten minutes late.

4. The bodies of insects are divided into three parts.

5. My cousin lives in Baltimore.

6. Down came the balloon.

7. These baskets were made in Japan.
8. One picture had an oak frame.
9. George walked to the city.

IO. The sun will melt the snow.

Model.

Some plants are used for food.

Some plants is the subject; are used for food is the predicate.

II.

Copy the following sentences, and tell what the subject and the predicate is, in each:

NOTE. First arrange the words in the form of a declarative sentence, and then divide the sentence into subject and predicate.

1. Are the cherries ripe?

2. When will school close?
3. Where do pine-apples grow?
4. Are we all here?

5. Did the boy find his hat?

6. Can you drive the horse?

7. Has the key been found?

8. Was the letter an important one?

Model. - Are the cherries ripe?

The cherries is the subject; are ripe is the predicate.

III.

Supply the subjects which are understood in the following sentences, and then name the subject and the predicate in each:

NOTE. The subject of an imperative sentence is usually you. It is generally not expressed. When the subject is expressed it is placed after the verb.

1. Close the door softly.

2. Hear the birds sing.

3. Tell me what you saw.

4. Enter not into the path of the wicked.
5. Set the tree in this corner.

6. Look at the shadows on the hillside.

7. Praise ye the Lord.

8. Honor thy father and thy mother.

Model. Close the door softly.

You, understood, is the subject; close the door softly is the predicate.

IV.

Copy these sentences, and name the subject and the predicate in each:

NOTE. Arrange the words in the form of a declarative sentence, and then divide the sentence into subject and predicate.

1. How slowly the boat moves!

2. What a long journey we must take!

3. How tame the swallows are!

4. What a strong arm the blacksmith has !

5. What a delightful shower we are having!
6. How fresh the air seems!

7. How the bird enjoys its bath!

8. What an excellent likeness this is!

Model. - How slowly the boat moves!

The boat is the subject; moves how slowly is the predicate.

LESSON III.

NOUNS.

Mention four names of persons; as, Clara, Robert.

Name three places; as, Chicago, Mexico.

Give the names of five things that you see; of five that you can hear; of five that you can touch.

Name three different parts of a bird; three parts of a fish.

Mention three different materials used in making clothing; three materials used in building houses.

Give the name of an action; as, skating, walking.

Give the name of a quality; as, kindness, honesty.

Mention three words that name collections of persons or things; as, army, swarm.

A word used as a name is called a noun.

Mention the nouns in the following sentences, and tell what each is the name of:

1. Ralph locked the door.

2. Gas gives a bright light.

3. The basket was filled with peaches.

4. Walking is a healthy exercise.

5. The wind blew the chimney down.

6. Her dress was made of silk.

7. Gold and silver are found in Nevada.

8. The congregation was dismissed.

9. The household were aroused by the barking of a dog.

10. Kindness wins friends.

PROPER AND COMMON NOUNS.

1. Benjamin Franklin was once a printer.
2. This is the oldest church in the city.

3. We shall attend Trinity Church.

4. San Francisco is noted for its beautiful harbor.

In the first sentence, find a name applying to all men who follow a certain occupation. Find the name of an individual.

What is church the name of? What is city the name of? Find the name of a special city. What special church is mentioned?

A name that belongs to an individual person or thing is called a proper noun; as,

Herbert,

London,

Vassar College.

A name that applies to every one of a class of persons or things is cailed a common noun; as,

A proper noun should begin with a capital letter. =

NOTE. - When a proper noun is made up of two or more words, each word should generally begin with a capital letter.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

Copy these sentences, and draw lines under the words that name special persons or things:

1. Oranges grow in Florida.

2. Edward is learning to play the flute.

3. Uncle Robert has gone to Europe.

4. Umbrellas were introduced into England from China.

5. We walked through Central Park.