Sentence Parts Notes: Subjects & Predicates

Simple Subjects & Predicates Every sentence has two basic parts: the subject and the predicate. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about. The predicate tells what the subject is or does or what happens to the subject.

Simple Subjects & Predicates The test on short stories will include identification of literary terms. Subject Predicate

Simple Subjects & Predicates The simple subject is the key word or words in the subject. The simple subject does not include modifiers. To find the simple subject, ask who or what performs the action of the verb. Bryan returned the pencil to Julia. Who returned the pencil to Julia? Bryan Rich opened the window to let in cool air. Who opened the window? Rich.

Simple Subjects & Predicates The simple predicate is the verb or verb phrase that tells something about the subject. Modifiers are not part of the verb phrase, even if they interrupt the verb phrase. Everyone asked the teacher about their midterm grades. What did everyone do? Asked. She was not bothered by their questions. *Notice the modifier not is excluded from the simple predicate.

Simple Subjects & Predicates Both the subject and the predicate are necessary for the meaning of the sentence to be clear. If the subject or predicate is missing, the group of words is a sentence fragment. These do not express complete thoughts. Opened the window to let in cool air. (Subject is missing) Everyone the teacher about their midterm grades. (Predicate missing)

Complete Subjects & Predicates The complete subject includes the simple subject and all the words that ­­­­­­­­­­­ modify, or tell more about, it. The complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that modify, or tell more about, it. Ex: Disaster movies fascinate nearly everyone.

Complete Subjects & Predicates Every word in a sentence is part of a complete subject or complete predicate. By adding details and modifiers to your subject and predicate, you help your reader picture more clearly what you mean. Ex: The student cheered. The ecstatic students raucously cheered the basketball team.

Practice #1: Simple Subjects & Predicates Maria Fernada Cordoso = Simple Subject runs = Simple Predicate She = Simple Subject owns = Simple Predicate Performers = Simple Subject are = Simple Predicate Samson = Simple Subject lifts = Simple Predicate

Practice #2: Complete Subjects & Predicates James Cameron had been fascinated by the Titanic for years. 2. The filmmaker interviewed several survivors of the tragedy. 3. The special-effects crew created tiny models of the ship. 4. The art director copies the Titanic’s original furnishings.