1. Chapter 2 grammar Notes

2. Subjects and Predicates
Sentence consists of two basic parts: subject and predicate
Subject tells whom or what the sentence or clause is about
Predicate tells something about the subject
The Following examples contain the complete subject and the complete predicate.
Example: Some residents of the desert can survive a long drought
How can an animal survive that long?

3. The Subject
The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.
The complete subject consists of the simple subject and any words or word groups that modify the simple subject.
Examples
Both of these birds are for sale.
Complete: Both of these birds
Simple: Both
A dog with this pedigree is usually nervous.
Complete: A dog with this pedigree
Simple: dog

4. Predicate
Simple predicate/verb: is the main word or word group that tells something about the subject
Complete predicate: consists of the verb and all the words that modify the verb and complete its meaning.
Examples
Rosa has been looking for you all morning.
Complete predicate: has been looking for you all morning
Simple predicate: has been looking
Spiders snare their prey in intricate webs.
Complete predicate: snare their prey in intricate webs
Simple predicate: snare

5. Finding the Subject
To find the subject of a sentence, find the verb first. Then, ask Who? Or What? Before the verb.
Note: The subject of a verb is never going to be in a prepositional phrase.
Examples
My cousin from Finland will arrive this afternoon.
The verb is will arrive. Who will arrive? Cousin will arrive. Subject is cousin
On the other side of the brook stands a cabin.
The verb is stands. What stands? A cabin stands. The subject is cabin.