Subjects and Predicates

Complete Subjects and Predicates EVERY sentence has 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 (usually all the words after the verb).

Finding Complete Subjects and Predicates To find the complete subject, ask who or what does something. Ex. More than 27 million people live in Tokyo. To find the complete predicate, ask what the subject does (or is). Ex. More than 27 million people live in Tokyo.

Practice Divide your paper into 2 columns. On the left side write, “Complete Subject” and on the right side, write “Complete Predicate.” Turn to page 7 in the Language Network book and complete questions 1-10.

Simple Subjects The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject. It does not include descriptive words. Ex. Some small towns hold town meetings. Complete Subject: Some small towns hold town meetings. Simple Subject: Some small towns hold town meetings.

Practice Turn to Page 9 in the Language Network book. Number 1-10 and write the Simple Subject for each example.

Simple Predicates or Verbs The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or words in the complete predicate. Ex. Many Mexican celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Complete Predicate: celebrate Cinco de Mayo Simple Predicate: celebrate

Practice Page 11 in the Language Network book Number 1-10. Write the verb, or simple predicate, from each sentence.

Verb Phrases A verb phrase includes the verb and one or more helping verbs. Ex. Technology will change cities. Ex. The changes will be occurring rapidly. City dwellers should have been preparing for change.

Common Helping Verbs Common Helping Verbs Forms of to be is, am, are, was, were, be, been Forms of do do, does, did Forms of have has, have, had Others may, might, can, should, could, would, shall, will

Practice Page 13 in Language Network Write the Verb Phrase (main verb and helping verb or verbs).

Compound Subjects A compound subject is made up of two or more subjects that share the same verb. Ex. Tornadoes and hurricanes are dangerous. Ex. A flood or an earthquake can devastate a city.

Compound Verb A compound verb is made up of two or more verbs that have the same subject. Ex. The swollen river rose and crested. Ex. Rescue workers located and evacuated residents.

Practice Page 15 in the Language Network book Divide your paper into two columns. Label one column “Compound Subjects” and the other column, “Compound Verbs” In each sentence find EITHER the compound subject or the compound verb and write it in the correct column. You will only complete one column for each example.