1. Parts of the Sentence Unit 1
Prepositional Phrases, Simple Predicates, and Simple Subjects

2. Step 1: Prepositional Phrases
Prepositions are always found in small groups of words called prepositional phrases. These phrases serve as adjectives and adverbs in sentences. Because they are grammatically nonessential, taking them out of the sentence first often eliminates many words, making finding other sentence parts easier.

3. Finding Prepositional Phrases
Put prepositional phrases in parentheses to take
them out of the way while you determine the
other parts of the sentence.
At the edge of the football field, the cheerleaders waited for the team.
Because of the rain, everyone stayed in the building.
In case of fire, they will exit into the parking lot.

4. Step 2: Simple Predicate
The simple predicate consists of the main verb plus any helping verbs. It is an essential part of any sentence. Sometimes a sentence consists of only the simple predicate with the simple subject you understood. Sentences like this are request or command sentences.

5. Finding Simple Predicates
In the sentences below, put prepositional
phrases in parentheses; then, put two lines
under the simple predicate(s). Be sure to
include all helping verbs.
Shelia should have left around noon.
During lunch Marquis ate at Sonic.
Hurry to the phone!

6. Simple Subject
The simple subject is who or what is doing or being the simple predicate. To find the simple subject, locate the simple predicate and then ask the questions who or what in front of it.

7. Example
Joan screamed at her mother about too much homework. Joan screamed (at her mother) (about too much homework). Take prepositional phrases out of the way. homework). What is happening in the sentence? Joan screamed (at her mother) (about too much homework). Who or what is screaming?

8. Practice Identify the prepositional phrases, simple
predicates, and simple subjects.
On the Fourth of July, we picnicked at the lake.
Joseph and Margarita have been dating for
several weeks.
Because of the loss of his job, Mr. Smithson has
returned to school for a second degree.
Each of the players has agreed to the new schedule.

9. More Practice
Max was reading, studying, and relaxing in the library. The scissors may be lying on the table. Three large trees grow in our yard. The door behind Tyler opened without a sound. Neither of those men has changed in the past few years. Your report about the ancient Greeks should have been finished by last Monday. In the middle of the night, Quinton and Elaine awakened because of a noise in their garage.