1. Grammar 1.1
Complete Subjects and Predicates; Simple Subjects; Simple Predicates, or Verbs

2. Main Ideas
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
Every complete sentence has two basic parts: a subject and a predicate.
The complete subject includes all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about.
The complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that complete the verb’s meaning.
The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject.
The simple predicate, or verb(s), is the main word or words in the complete predicate.

3. Complete Subjects and Predicates
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought
For example: The girl with the red jacket has nice hair.
What is a group of words that does not express a COMPLETE thought?
A fragment: has nice hair
A phrase: with the red jacket
Every complete sentence has two basic parts: a subject and a predicate
The complete subject includes all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about
Some architects bring nature indoors.
Who brings nature indoors?
How many architects?
The complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that complete the verb’s meaning
What do the architects do?
What do they bring?
Where do they bring it?

4. Complete Subjects and Predicates (cont.)
Identify whether each could be used as a Complete Subject or Complete Predicate. Then use each group of words in a complete sentence, adding a complete subject or complete predicate as needed.
ex.
1. a strong wind
Complete Subject
A strong wind blew the tree down.
(We needed a complete predicate to complete the sentence.)
2. floated down the river
3. electric cars
4. wrote a report quickly
5. the water bottle in the chair

5. Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject
An expectant seal builds a shelter in a snowdrift.
An expectant [seal] builds a shelter in a snowdrift.
Adult residents vote directly on community issues.
Adult [residents] vote directly on community issues.
When a proper name is used as a subject, all parts of the name make up the simple subject.
Robert Peary explored the North Pole.
[Robert Peary] explored the North Pole.
New England is the birthplace of town meetings.
[New England] is the birthplace of town meetings.

6. Simple Subjects (cont.)
The simple subject is one of the key words in a sentence. Make sure that you have chosen a precise one so that readers will know whom or what the sentence is about.
Draft
Democracy is simple in some parts of New England. People make decisions at town meetings instead of electing officials to make them. This helps ordinary people feel in charge.
Revision
Democracy is simple in some parts of New England. [Voters] make decisions at town meetings instead of electing officials to make them. This [system] helps ordinary people feel in charge.

7. Simple Subjects (cont.)
Read this paragraph carefully. In some sentences, the writer has left out some of the simple subjects. Place a simple subject in the places where they are needed.
TV has made extreme sports very popular. Now can watch athletes try seemingly impossible stunts. One new sport is called skysurfing. The wears a regular parachute. A specially designed board is strapped to the feet. The jumps out of the plane when it reaches the proper altitude. The is not open yet, so the skysurfer is freefalling through the air at 120 miles per hour. The is moved with the feet so the athlete can perform spins and flips. Finally the opens. The surfer floats safely to the ground.
TV has made extreme sports very popular. Now [anyone] can watch athletes try seemingly impossible stunts. One new sport is called skysurfing. The [surfer] wears a regular parachute. A specially designed board is strapped to the feet. The [athlete] jumps out of the plane when it reaches the proper altitude. The [parachute] is not open yet, so the skysurfer is freefalling through the air at 120 miles per hour. The [board] is moved with the feet so the athlete can perform spins and flips. Finally the [parachute] opens. The surfer floats safely to the ground.

8. Simple Predicates, or Verbs
The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or words in the complete predicate.
Many Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Many Mexicans [celebrate] Cinco de Mayo.
Prairie pioneers lived in sod houses.
Prairie pioneers [lived] in sod houses.
A verb is a word used to express an action, a condition, or a state of being.
Action: I [punched] that squirrel. <- visible
Condition: That squirrel [wants] to punch me back. <- unseen action
State of being: Squirrels [are] plotting their revenge. <- linking verb

9. Simple Predicates, or Verbs (cont.)
You can make your writing more interesting by substituting strong verbs for weaker ones. Strong verbs can add important information about the subject.
A prairie fire destroyed everything in its path. The fire was enormous. It went from one end of the horizon to the other.
A prairie fire [obliterated] everything in its path. The fire [swelled] enormous. It [expanded] from one end of the horizon to the other.
The boy called out when he saw fire in the attic. He went to the kitchen to tell his mother.
The boy [______] out when he saw fire in the attic. He [______] to the kitchen to tell his mother.
The train came around the curve.
What are other words that can be used in place of came to change the meaning of the sentence?
Walking game