The Parts of a Sentence Subject and Predicate

The Parts of a Sentence Subject and Predicate, Kinds of sentences

Bell Ringer: The Sentence • NOTES • A sentence is a word group that contains a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought. • A fragment is a word group that looks like a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb or does not express a complete thought. • Directions: Look at the fragments below and fix them to form a complete sentence. • 1. Was a well-known musician. • 2. A butterfly with bright blue wings and long antennae. • 3. Even though she had worked a long time.

Bell Ringer: The Subject • NOTES • A subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. • ** To find the subject, ask who or what is doing something or about whom or about what something is being said. • Directions: Write the sentences and underline the subject. • 1. Laughing and running down the street were two small boys. • [Who were laughing and running down the street? ] • 2. A sealed envelope rested near the edge of the desk. • [What rested near the edge of the desk? ] • 3. Are Dalmatians good watchdogs? • [About what is something being said? ]

The Subject (Continued) • NOTES • The complete subject consists of all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about. • EXAMPLE: The dangerous trip over the mountains took four days. • The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about. • EXAMPLE: The dangerous trip over the mountains took four days. • ** In some sentences, the simple subject may consist of more than one word. • EXAMPLE: Stamp collecting is my father’s favorite hobby. • EXAMPLE: Madeline Johnson was appointed secretary.

Bell Ringer: The Predicate • NOTES • The predicate of a sentence tells something about the subject. • The complete predicate consists of a verb and all the words that describe the verb and complete its meaning. • EXAMPLE: Marco’s brother delivers pizza. • [Delivers is the verb, and pizza tells what he delivered. ] • EXAMPLE: Under a large tree sat a tiny rabbit. • [Sat is the verb, and under a large tree tells where he sat. ] • EXAMPLE: Does this copier staple and fold documents? • [Does staple and fold are the verbs, and documents tell what they staple/fold. ]

The Predicate: Continued • The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or word group that tells something about the subject. • A simple predicate may be a one-word verb, or it may be a verb phrase (a main verb and one or more helping verbs). • EXAMPLE: These books are available in the media center. • EXAMPLE: Our English class is reading the novel Frankenstein. • EXAMPLE: The musicians have been rehearsing since noon. • ** REMEMBER that not and never are frequently used with verbs, but they are NOT verbs. • EXAMPLES: She did not believe me. They haven’t left yet. The cousins had never met.

Bell Ringer • Complete the backside of your worksheet labeled Verb Phrases.

Bell Ringer • Pick up the worksheet labeled Complete Subjects and Predicates A, and complete #1 -15. • Be sure to read directions carefully.