Subjects and PredicatesSubjects and Predicates

Subjects and PredicatesSubjects and Predicates

A sentence consists of a subject and A sentence consists of a subject and a predicate that together express a a predicate that together express a complete thought.complete thought.

Both a subject and a predicate may Both a subject and a predicate may consist of more than one word.consist of more than one word.

Example:Example: Charles Dickens's novelsCharles Dickens's novels are still popular are still popular

today.today.

Complete Subject and Complete Subject and Complete PredicateComplete Predicate

Complete subject includes all the words in Complete subject includes all the words in the subject of a sentence.the subject of a sentence.

Complete predicate includes all the words Complete predicate includes all the words in the predicate of a sentence.in the predicate of a sentence.

Not all the words in the subject or the Not all the words in the subject or the predicate are equally important.predicate are equally important.

Simple subject: the main word or word Simple subject: the main word or word group in the complete subject.group in the complete subject.

Simple predicate: the main word or word Simple predicate: the main word or word group in the complete predicate.group in the complete predicate.

Simple Subject and Simple Simple Subject and Simple PredicatePredicate

The simple predicate is always a verb. The simple predicate is always a verb.

A verb is a word that express action A verb is a word that express action or a state of being.or a state of being.

Sometimes the simple subject is the Sometimes the simple subject is the same as the complete subject.same as the complete subject.

Sometimes the simple predicate is the Sometimes the simple predicate is the same as the complete predicate.same as the complete predicate.

SubjectSubject

All nouns and pronouns in a sentence All nouns and pronouns in a sentence perform a noun function. perform a noun function.

There are seven noun functions in English.There are seven noun functions in English. Subject/Direct Object/Indirect Subject/Direct Object/Indirect

Object/Object of Preposition/Predicate Object/Object of Preposition/Predicate Nominative/Appositive/Noun of Direct Nominative/Appositive/Noun of Direct AddressAddress

The subject of a sentence is never found in The subject of a sentence is never found in the prepositional phrase.the prepositional phrase.

PracticePractice

1.1. Mother rides a bus to the office.Mother rides a bus to the office.

2.2. We had a flat tire on the busy highway.We had a flat tire on the busy highway.

3.3. Is he in the office today, Ms. Nabinsky.Is he in the office today, Ms. Nabinsky.

4.4. Mr. Goldberg took the baseball team to Mr. Goldberg took the baseball team to Yankee Stadium for the game with the Yankee Stadium for the game with the Detroit Tigers.Detroit Tigers.

5.5. The door won’t open; I can’t get outside.The door won’t open; I can’t get outside.

6.6. The big, shaggy collie produced ten pups.The big, shaggy collie produced ten pups.

PracticePractice

7.7. George Washington Carver found many George Washington Carver found many uses for peanut shells.uses for peanut shells.

8.8. Grandmother volunteers at the new Grandmother volunteers at the new community hospital.community hospital.

9.9. Riverboat rides don’t make me ill.Riverboat rides don’t make me ill.10.10. After the boat trip, we will walk to the After the boat trip, we will walk to the

center of town.center of town.11.11. Dr. Wu is an excellent dentist.Dr. Wu is an excellent dentist.12.12. She and I won’t arrive until Sunday.She and I won’t arrive until Sunday.

How to find Subjects:How to find Subjects: First, find the verbFirst, find the verb Then, ask “Who?” or “What?” and say Then, ask “Who?” or “What?” and say

the verb.the verb. The answer is the subjectThe answer is the subject