Subject and Predicate - No Fragments!

What is a sentence, exactly? A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Must contain both subject and predicate There are four kinds of sentences. Statement - also known as a declarative Tells something to you and ends with a period Question - also known as an interrogative Asks something of you and ends with a question mark Command - also known as an imperative Tells you what to do or makes a request and ends with a period Exclamation - also known as an exclamatory Expresses strong feeling and ends with an exclamation mark

What is a subject, exactly? A subject tells who or what the sentence is about. A subject often comes at the beginning of the sentence. But not always A subject is usually the main noun in the sentence.

What is a predicate, exactly? A predicate tells what the subject is or does in the sentence. A predicate often comes after the subject of a sentence. But not always A predicate usually begins with the main verb of a sentence.

Examples of Complete Subjects The dog bit me on my big toe! Dog is the complete subject because it is the “what” of the sentence. My sister told my mom that I didn’t finish my homework last night. My sister is the complete subject because it is the “who” of the sentence. Many students packed the gym to watch the basketball game. Many students is the complete subject because it is the “who” of the sentence.

Examples of Complete Predicates The dog bit me on my big toe! Bit me on my big toe is the complete predicate because it tells what the dog did. My sister told my mom that I didn’t finish my homework last night. Told my mom that I didn’t finish my homework last night is the complete predicate because it tells what my sister did. Many students packed the gym to watch the basketball game. Packed the gym to watch the basketball game is the complete predicate because it tells what many students did.

How can you find the complete subject? First find the verb in the sentence. Jacob found a very old book in the library. “found” is the verb Next put “who” or “what” in front of it. Who found? or What found? Jacob found This book is awesome! Since Jacob found the very old book in the library, “Jacob” is the subject.

How can you find the complete predicate? First find who or what does something in the sentence. The chipmunk stared at me with a creepy look in its eye. Chipmunk is the who or what. Next ask yourself what the who or what did. Why are you staring at me? Stared at me with a creepy look in its eye is what the chipmunk did, so that is the predicate.

What is the complete subject of the sentence? 1. The bully cried in the principal’s office. The Bully Dodgeball 2. Dodgeball is my favorite sport. 3. English tests make me nervous. English tests Water 4. Water tastes way better than Kool-Aid! Those kids 5. Those kids are extremely polite.

What is the complete predicate of the sentence? Remember: a predicate is what the subject “is” or “does.” 1. Mr. Johnson plays guitar well. 2. Hershey Park is my favorite place to go. 3. I love being at school! 4. Cats and dogs are not usually friends. 5. The Grammarheads rocked at the concert!

What is a simple subject? A simple subject is the main word in the complete subject. When the complete subject only has one word, it is also the simple subject. simple subject My best friend has a pet goldfish. complete subject I am learning about subjects and predicates. simple subject & complete subject

What is a simple predicate? A simple predicate is the main word in the complete predicate. It is always the main verb, which tells what the subject is or does. simple predicate Mom makes us wash our hands before dinner. complete predicate

Name It All! Give the complete subject, simple subject, complete predicate, and simple predicate. Lots of kids eat hot dogs for lunch.

Name It All! Give the complete subject, simple subject, complete predicate, and simple predicate. The smart student earned an A on her English test. simple subject

Name It All! Give the complete subject, simple subject, complete predicate, and simple predicate. & simple subject simple predicate Jimmy is a fantastic baseball player! complete predicate

Rock Your Writing! No Fragments! by: The Grammarheads Click the link above to watch the No Fragments! rock video at our website.