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.

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 simple subject 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.

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

Let’s 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 what’s 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

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.

subject Can you find the complete & 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. Red = complete subject Underlining = simple subject

predicate 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.

predicate 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.

simple predicate 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.

simple predicate 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 compound subjects? Team pennants, rock posters and family photographs covered the boy's bedroom walls.

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.) Kirin’s 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?

Interrogative Sentences (advanced concept - not tested in 4 th grade) (This is just for the students who asked!) 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? P S P Why do you ask? 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