8th Grade English

The Sentence and Its PartsPart I

Complete Subject/Complete PredicateEvery complete sentence has two basic

parts: a SUBJECT and PREDICATEThe COMPLETE SUBJECT includes all of

the words that tell WHOM or WHAT the sentence is about

The COMPLETE PREDICATE includes the VERB and all the words that complete the verb’s meaning

Complete Subject/Complete PredicateMetropolitan areas include suburbs. To find the complete subject and complete

predicate in this sentence ask yourself the following:Complete Subject: Who or what is the

sentence about? (Metropolitan areas)Complete Predicate: What does the subject

do, including the verb? (Include suburbs)

Metropolitan areas include suburbs

Complete Subject/Complete PredicatePause the video. Make a column for

complete subject and complete predicate. Write the complete subject and complete predicate of each sentence in the correct column.

The cat chased the mouse across the floor. Children enjoy playing on the monkey bars

most. The Ninja Turtles is a popular movie. My Grandma went to the Bahamas without

me.

Simple Subject/Simple PredicateThe SIMPLE SUBJECT is the main word

or words in the COMPOUND SUBJECT; it does NOT include the DESCRIPTIVE WORDS.

Metropolitan areas include suburbs. In this sentence, the compound subject is

Metropolitan areas. To find the simple subject, get rid of any

descriptive words. The simple subject is AREAS because

Metropolitan is describing the areas.

Simple Subject/Simple PredicateThe SIMPLE PREDICATE, or VERB, is

the main word or words in the COMPOUND PREDICATE

Metropolitan areas include suburbs. Include suburbs is the compound

predicate. To find the simple predicate, find the verb. INCLUDE is the simple predicate of this

sentence.

Simple Subject/Simple PredicatePause the Video. Make a column for

simple subject and simple predicate. Write the correct parts of each sentence in each column.

They wove the thread into linen fabric.Scutching is the name for the separation

process. Cindo de Mayo is very popular in Mexico

City. The Mexicans fought a French army.

Simple Predicate Verb PhrasesSometimes a simple predicate is more than

one word – a VERB PHRASE. A verb phrase is made up of a MAIN

VERB AND one or more HELPING VERBS

We can imagine the city of the future. The compound predicate is “can imagine

the city of the future.”The simple predicate is CAN IMAGINE. IMAGINE is the verb, CAN is the helping

verb.

Common Helping VerbsIs AmAreWasWereBeBeenDoDoesDidHas

HaveHad MayMightCanShouldCouldWouldShallwill

Simple Subject/Simple Predicate/Simple Predicate Verb

Phrases

Pause the video. Using the same columns in the last exercise, write the correct word/phrases in the simple subject and simple predicate columns.

1. Residents hold a flax- scrutching festival every year.

2. Automobiles have been polluting the air for decades.

3. Gilroy, California is the garlic capital of the world.

4. However, they can cause more serious problems.

8th Grade English

The Sentence and Its PartsPart 2

Compound Sentence PartsA COMPOUND SUBJECT is made up of TWO or

more subjects that SHARE the same VERB. The subjects are joined by a conjunction – AND, OR, OR BUT.

Tornadoes and hurricanes are dangerous. Who or what is this sentence about? TORNADOES

AND HURRICANES. Tornadoes and hurricanes is the compound subject.

These two subjects share the same verb.

(Get rid of descriptive words when determining the compound subject. For example, Fast tornadoes and deadly hurricanes …. The compound subject would still be tornadoes and hurricanes.)

Compound Sentence PartsA COMPOUND PREDICATE (VERB) is

made up of TWO or more verbs that have the same SUBJECT. Again, they are joined by AND, OR, OR BUT.

The swollen river rose and crested. What did the swollen river do? ROSE

AND CRESTED.Rose and crested is the COMPOUND

PREDICATE because the two verbs share a subject – the river.

Compound Subjects/PredicatesWrite the compound subject or predicate and

identify it as the compound subject or predicate. For example, The swollen river rose and crested. Rose and crested = compound predicate.

A flood or an earthquake can devastate a city. Rescue workers located and evacuated residents. Joseph Juneau and Richard Harris discovered gold

in southeastern Alaska in 1880. Stories of the gold rush still excite and captivate

residents.

Subjects in Unusual OrderSometimes the subject is not found at the

beginning of a sentence. QUESTIONS: in a question, the subject

usually comes AFTER THE VERB or between parts of the verb phrase

Are you walking to the Brooklyn Bridge?If you are confused in determining the

subject, make the question a statement. You are walking to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Subjects in Unusual OrderCOMMANDS: The subject of a command

is usually YOU. For example, (YOU) Put on your

comfortable shoes. You is not stated, but it is implied. INVERTED SENTENCES: In these

sentences, the subject comes AFTER the VERB.

Across the East River extends the bridge. Again, it helps to flip the sentence around: The bridge extends across the East River.

Subjects in Unusual OrderSENTENCES THAT BEGIN WITH HERE

OR THERE: the verb usually comes before the subject.

There is the World-famous bridge. Again, changing the sentence around can

make identifying the subject/predicate easier. The World-famous bridge is there.

Try it out. Identify the simple subject and simple

predicate of each sentence.

Have you heard of Coney Island?Test your courage on the old-fashioned

wooden roller coaster. There is a ride worth taking. On both sides are games like the ring toss.

8th Grade English

The Sentence and Its PartsPart 3

Objects of VerbsDIRECT OBJECTS: a word or group of

words that names the RECEIVER OF THE ACTION; answers WHAT OR WHOM

Many Beijing residents ride bicycles. To find the direct object think, whom or

what do they ride because ride is the verb or simple predicate? The answer is BICYCLES

Find the Direct ObjectRemember, find the predicate/main verb first. Then

ask yourself whom or what did the verb. Number your paper 1-5 and write the direct object of each sentence.

1. The interstate highway system offers American cities a connection with each other.

2. The federal government gave the states funds for their portions of the interstate highway system.

3. Builders poured concrete by the ton during the project.

4. Astronauts can even see it from space. 5. Drivers can cross the country without stopping for

a traffic light.

8th Grade English

The Sentence and Its PartsPart 4

Fragments and Run-onsA sentence FRAGMENT is missing a SUBJECT,

PREDICATE, OR BOTH.When Identifying a fragment, ask yourself THREE

questions:1. Does it express a COMPLETE THOUGHT?2. Does it have a SUBJECT?3. Does it have a PREDICATE?Ghost towns usually around deserted mines and oil

fields. This is a fragment because it is missing a predicate. What do ghost towns usually do?

Abandoned them after the mines were exhausted. This is a fragment because it is missing a subject. Who or what was abandoned?

Numerous western cities. This is a fragment because it is missing both the subject and predicate.

Fragments and Run-onsA RUN-ON consists of TWO or more sentences

written as though they were a single sentence. A run-on sentence will have TWO SUBJECTS AND TWO PREDICATES.

Most ghost towns are in ruins, some have been restored to their original condition.

This is a run-on because it has two subjects and two predicates, but it is written as one sentence.

To fix a run-on, make it two sentences, use a semi-colon if applicable, add a conjunction, or create a compound sentence.

Fragments and Run-onsNumber your paper 1-7. Identify each sentence

as a fragment, run-on, or correct. 1. A tiny village in Arkansas had no name,

residents walked to the next town for their mail. 2. Tired of walking such a distance.3. They wanted their own post office. 4. The U.S. Postal Service replied to the residents,

it sent them questionnaires. 5. Asked what name the village wanted. 6. Every family in town received a questionnaire,

the instructions said, “Please write in ink.” 7. The residents did just that.