Subjects and Predicates Sentence Structure Lesson

Warm up What makes a sentence complete? What makes a sentence incomplete?

Simple Subjects Who or what the sentence is about. (the doer – can be a noun or pronoun) Example: Robert asked for his late work. It was the best concert ever! Lime green is my favorite color.

Simple Predicates The action of the sentence; what the subject does (the verb). Examples: Jane cried. Marcus was talking. The rain ended the baseball game.

Complete Sentences Each needs a subject and a predicate. Imperative sentences do not need subjects. Subjects are on the left, predicates are right. Examples She runs. Stop. I am. Bob went to school, but Kyle stayed home.

Compound/Complete Subjects All of the words describing the subject; telling what the sentence is about. Examples: Chris and I studied. Jane swept and vacuumed. She and I ate pizza and watched movies.

Compound/Complete Predicates All of the words describing what the subject does. Examples: Chris and I studied. Jane swept and vacuumed. She and I ate pizza and watched movies.

Longer Sentences Sentences may have more than one set of subjects and predicates. I went home and my mom yelled at me. She threw the ball at me but I dropped it. I had a headache until I took a nap.

Practice Draw a line between the compound subject and compound predicate. Underline the simple subject. Circle the simple predicate.

My hard-working dad pushed the lawn mower. 1 My hard-working dad pushed the lawn mower.

The art museum opens on Monday. 2 The art museum opens on Monday.

The cherry popsicle drips down onto my shirt. 3 The cherry popsicle drips down onto my shirt.

The mall is a fun place to meet friends. 4 The mall is a fun place to meet friends.

Our trip to Disney World was a blast! 5 Our trip to Disney World was a blast!

Ella’s little sister will swim in the race today. 6 Ella’s little sister will swim in the race today.