The Sentence Subjects and Predicates What parts make

The Sentence Subjects and Predicates

What parts make up a sentence? • subject • predicate • a complete thought You must have all 3! • If any of the 3 components are missing, then it is NOT a sentence!

Subjects • The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. • Usually the subject is performing the action! • Example: The teacher gave us homework.

Types of Subjects Simple Subject Complete Subject • This is the main noun or pronoun of the subject. • The simple subject plus all the descriptors and modifiers. • Sarah, the girl in the back row with black hair, is my friend.

Predicates • The predicate is the verb and all its descriptors (adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc. ) • The predicate tells something about the subject or what the subject is doing. Example: The teacher gave us homework.

Types of Predicates Simple Predicate Complete Predicate • This is the verb. • Pretty simple, huh? • The verb and all its descriptors and compliments. • The wild horse ran free over the sand dunes.

Finding the Subject • First, find the verb (simple predicate!). • Next, ask “Who? ” or “What? ” before the verb.

Let’s try it! • The boy in the gray soccer jersey waved at me. • What is the verb? • Who waved? • “waved” • “boy” “Boy” is the simple subject because he is who the sentence is about and he is performing the action “waved. ”

Compound Subjects • A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a conjunction and have the same verb. • Sam and Joe went to the restaurant.

Compound Predicates • A compound predicate consists of two or more verbs that are joined by a conjunction and that have the same subject. • Molly danced and sang in the show.

Can you have a compound subject and a compound predicate? • YES! • The teacher and the principal debated and argued about the student’s punishment.

The Understood Subject • When stating a request or command, the subject of the sentence is usually not stated. In such sentences, “you” is the understood subject. • Please answer the phone. (Who is to answer the phone? You are!)

What is there is a name in a command? • Sometimes there is a name in the command, but that is not the subject. That is a noun of direct address. “You” is still the subject. • Amber, [you] please send me your address. • [You] Line up, class.