Subjects & Predicates

Every complete sentence contains two parts: a subject and a predicate.

The subject is what (or whom) the sentence is about, while the predicate tells something about the subject.

Peyton and her dog run on the beach every morning.

Peyton and her dog run on the beach every morning.

First find the verb and then make a question by placing ``who?'' or ``what?'' before it. The answer is the subject, Peyton and her dog.

Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates

Every subject is built around one noun or pronoun (or more). When all other words are removed the simple subject is left.

Simple Subject
A piece of chocolate candy would taste great.
The main word in the subject is the noun ``piece,'' with the other words of the subject -- ``a'' and ``of chocolate candy'' tell about the noun. ``piece'' is the simple subject.

Simple Predicate
A simple predicate is always the verb or verbs that links up with the subject.

Simple Predicate
A piece of chocolate candy would taste great.
The simple predicate is ``would taste'' -- in other words,

the verb of the sentence.

Lets try one:

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor. What is the verb of this sentence?

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

Spilled is the simple predicate!

So whats the complete predicate?

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.
What are the all the words that describe / go with the action (verb) of this sentence?

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

Spilled popcorn on the floor is the complete predicate!

Now find the simple & complete subject:

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

Now decide who or what spilled popcorn?

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

The excited students = complete subject students = simple subject

Can you find the complete and simple subject in each sentence below? 1. My little brother broke his finger. 2. His Uncle Bob asked for directions. 3. Those students carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the complete & simple subject in each sentence below?
1. 2. 3. 4. My little brother broke his finger. His Uncle Bob asked for directions. Those students carried backpacks. Our babysitter arrived late. Red = complete subject Underlining = simple subject

Can you find the complete predicate in each sentence below? 1. My little brother broke his finger. 2. His Uncle Bob will ask for directions. 3. Those students carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the predicate in each sentence below?

1. My little brother broke

his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob will ask for directions. 3. Those students carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the simple predicate in each sentence below? 1. My little brother broke his finger. 2. His Uncle Bob will ask for directions. 3. Those students carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the simple predicate in each sentence below?

1. My little brother broke his finger. 2. His Uncle Bob will ask for directions. 3. Those students carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Compound Subject
A sentence may have a compound subject -- a simple subject made up of more than one noun or pronoun.
No Doubt ACDC

Can you find the compound subjects?

Team pennants, rock posters and family photographs covered the boy's bedroom walls.

Can you find the compound subjects?

Team pennants, rock posters and family photographs covered the boy's bedroom walls.

Can you find the compound subjects?

Her uncle and she walked slowly through the art gallery and admired the beautiful pictures exhibited there.

Can you find the compound subjects?

Her uncle and she walked slowly through the art gallery and admired the beautiful pictures exhibited there.

Can you find the compound subject in each sentence below?

1. My little brother and my cousin broke their fingers. 2. His Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty asked for directions. 3. Those students and teachers carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter, her friend and my parents arrived late.

Can you find the compound subject in each sentence below?

1. My little brother and my cousin broke their fingers. 2. His Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty asked for directions. 3. Those students and teachers carried backpacks. 4. Our babysitter, her friend and my parents arrived late.

Compound Predicate
A compound predicate, is more than one verb relating to the same subject.

Can you find the compound predicate?

Mother mopped and scrubbed the kitchen floor.

Can you find the compound predicate?

Mother mopped and scrubbed the kitchen floor.

1.
2. 3. 4.

Can you find the compound predicate in each sentence below? My little brother bruised and broke his finger. His Uncle Bob looked and asked for directions. Those students will carry and use their backpacks. Our babysitter overslept and arrived late.

Can you find the compound predicate in each sentence below?

1. My little brother bruised and broke his finger. 2. His Uncle Bob looked and asked for directions. 3. Those students will carry and use their backpacks. 4. Our babysitter overslept and arrived late.

Quick Quiz: Copy each sentence. Circle the simple subject. Underline the complete subject ONCE. Highlight the simple predicate. Underline the complete predicate TWICE.
1.) The crazed student ran swiftly towards the dancing floor.

2.) He was about to do the worm!

3.) Last week Daniel drew a beautiful picture. 4.) Kirins dog chased my cats down the stairs. 5.) Last night you had to make view a PowerPoint for homework. 6.) Have you been to the Calvert County fair?

(advanced concept - not tested in 4th grade) (This is just for the students who asked!)

Interrogative Sentences

When questions begin with part or all of the predicate, this is the P S P word order.

Have you seen a dog? P S P Have I seen a dog? Why do you ask?

P S P P S P

To locate the subject of an interrogative sentence,change the question into a declarative sentence. (Make a statement.)

Have you seen a dog? Question You have seen a dog. Statement Have I seen a dog? Question I have seen a dog. Statement Why do you ask? Question You do ask why. Statement