Sentences

Sentences are made up of one or more clauses. A clause consists of a subject (a noun or a pronoun) and a predicate (what is said about the noun or pronoun). The predicate contains a verb.

Pociąg jedzie.

(The train is moving.)

In this simple sentence, "pociąg" is the subject and "jedzie" is the predicate.

Adjectives or nouns used along with the verb in order to describe what is being asserted about someone or something are in the predicative position.

Ten mężczyzna byłdobrym dyrektorem.

(This man was a good director.)

In this sentence, "dyrektorem" is a predicate noun.

Ta kobieta była wysoka.

(This woman was tall.)

In this sentence, "wysoka" is a predicate adjective.

Nouns or pronouns which are related to (objects or receivers of) the action of the verb or related to (objects of) a preposition are called objects. There are direct and indirect objects.

The direct object of a verb is a noun or a pronoun which receives the action of the verb directly.

Ja czytam książkę.

(I am reading a book.)

In this sentence "książkę" is the direct object of the verb.

Some verbs take an indirect object. Indirect objects are sometimes preceded by a preposition.

On dałksiążkętemu dziecku.

(He gave the book to the child.)

In this sentence "książkę" is the direct object and "dziecku" is the indirect object.

Polish grammar allows subjectless sentences. Sentences which describe weather conditions, time of the day, temperature do not require subjects:

Zimno mi.

(I am cold.)

Goraco tu.

(It is hot here.)

There is also a separate category of verbs, which does not have personal form. One example, past impersonal participle, is described in the chapter about the verbs. There are also other verbs, like: "widac" (it is seen), "slychac" (it is heard), "lepiej pojechac" (it is better to go), the modal verb "trzeba" (it is necessary to), and "wiadomo" (it is clear that), which do not require subjects.