Sentence structure question.

Hellsmk2

Hellsmk2

Hellsmk2

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"Jack and his brother went to the park."

Jack and his brother - subject
went - verb
to - modifier, preposition
the park - object

The sentence is not a simple sentence because 'the park' is a dependent clause and therefore, needs 'to' in order to make sense. However, 'the park' is still the object in the sentence. The inclusion of the modifier in no way removes its status as the object. Also, this means the sentence is a complex one, not simple.

Is my breakdown correct?

I ask because I had a class who were arguing until they were blue in the face that the inclusion of a modifier, in any sentence, removed any object or compliment. They were backed up by an English teacher, who tried to imply the same thing when I asked her to break the sentence down.
 
"The park" is not a clause, it is simply a noun with a definite article. A clause must consist of a subject and a predicate.

"The park" is, however, the prepositional object of the verb "to go".

"To" is not a modifier as I understand the term. A modifier modifies a verb (adverb) or a noun (adjective). In this sentence, "to" is the preposition required by the verb "to go" in this case, forming the verb "to go to".

"Jack and his brother" is, as you say, the subject.
"Went to the park" is the predicate.
As such the sentence is a simple sentence as it does not contain any dependent clauses.

However, the class and the English teacher are not correct, because the sentence does not contain a modifier. Even if it did, it would not remove the object. In fact, in a simple sentence when the modifier is an adjective, removing the object would remove that upon which the modifier was acting.

I would just like to point out that this is how I've understood it and I may be completely wrong!

:)
 
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