Deconstructing Sentences: A Guide to Subjects, Predicates, and Complements

Understanding Sentence Structure

Subject and Predicate

Subject: The subject of a sentence, often a nominal phrase, consists of a determiner (det), a noun (cn), and can include a proper noun (sn). It agrees in gender and number with the predicate.

Predicate: The predicate contains the verb, which links the subject to its attributes. It can include a copulative verb or a verbal predicate. The core of the predicate is the verb, and it may be accompanied by complements.

Predicate Attributes

Attributive Predicate: Introduced by a copulative verb (like 'be' or 'appear to be'), it completes the subject. It's often an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the subject. Copulative verbs primarily provide information about the state of being.

Predicative Verbs: These verbs (e.g., 'be', 'estar', 'tardar') express actions. Some verbs require complements (transitive), while others do not (intransitive).

Complements

Direct Object (CD): The direct object receives the action of the verb. It directly follows the verb and typically refers to a person or thing. It usually accompanies the verb without a preposition and is often a noun phrase (SN), either definite or indefinite. Demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' can also function as direct objects.

Indirect Object (CI): The indirect object indicates the recipient or target of the verb's action. It's typically introduced by prepositions like 'a' or 'para'.

Prepositional Complement (CPrep): This complement is introduced by a preposition required by the verb.

Circumstantial Complement (CC): The circumstantial complement provides additional information about the verb's action, such as location, time, instrument, or manner. It can be a noun phrase (SN), an adverbial phrase (S.Adv), or a prepositional phrase (SPREP). Pronouns can replace circumstantial complements, unless the complement is introduced by the preposition 'de'.