The Sentence and Its Parts

Simple Subjects and Predicates Subject = tells whom or what the sentence is about. Predicate = tells what the subject is or does or what happened to the subject. Simple Subject = the key word or words in the complete subject Simple Predicate = the verb or verb phrase that tells something about the subject

Subject: Ask whom or what the sentence is about? A Williamsburg visit will be an enjoyable step back into time. Pink and white blossoms make the little town colorful and inviting. In April, flowering trees fill the air with a sweet smell. Inside the homes of Williamsburg, rooms are decorated in the colonial style.

Simple Subjects and Predicates First: Cross out phrases. Second: Ask whom or what the sentence is about = Subject. Third = Ask what did the subject do = verb. Last = Don’t forget to look for helping verbs.

Simple Subjects and Predicates The city of Boston hosts an exciting sports event every spring. The Boston Marathon is an annual 26-mile race. During the race, many runners hit “the wall” after 20 miles. Some racers are stopped by this phenomenon.

Complete Subject and Predicate Complete subject = includes the simple subject and all the words that modify it. Complete predicate = includes the verb and all the words that modify it.

Complete Subjects and Predicates All of the players took batting practice before the game. Banks of bright lights shone on the field. The crack of the bat was followed by the sound of fireworks. A roar of support rose from the sold-out park. One of the league’s most dangerous hitters stepped up to the plate.

Compound Subjects and Verbs Compound subject = made up of two or more subjects that share a verb. –Stocks and bonds are traded in the stock market. Compound verb = is made up of two or more verbs or verb phrases that are joined by a conjunction and have the same subject. –Brokers buy and sell stocks. Compound predicate = is made up of a compound verb and all the words that go with each verb. –Government officials oversee the workings of the stock market and verify its stability.

Compound Subjects and Verbs Federal laws regulate and oversee the stock market. Companies and corporations sell shares to stockholders. Today, people use the Internet and make trades on computers. On any given day, the price of stock rises and falls.