Subject and Predicate - Virtual Learning Courses Online High

Subject and PredicateSentences consist of two basic parts: subjects and predicates.

The Subject10b. The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about.

EXAMPLES Lois Lenski wrote Strawberry Girl.

The tooth with a point is called a canine.

To find the subject, ask yourself who or what is doingsomething or about whom or what something is being said.

EXAMPLES My best friend sits next to me in science class.[Who sits? My best friend sits.]

Science class is very interesting this year. [What is interesting? Science class is.]

The Position of the SubjectThe subject may come at the beginning, in the middle, or evenat the end of a sentence.

EXAMPLES After school, Theresa went to band practice.

Under our house was a tiny kitten.

Identifying Subjects

Identify the subject in each of these sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. The final score was tied.1. The final score

1. Many games use rackets or paddles.2. Tennis can be an exhausting sport.3. Badminton rackets don’t weigh very much.4. Table-tennis paddles are covered with rubber.5. Racquetball uses special rackets.6. In Florida, citrus trees grow an important crop.7. After three to five years, fruit grows on the new trees.8. Does Florida grow all of the citrus fruit in the nation?9. California also grows oranges and other citrus fruit.

10. From Texas comes the Star Ruby grapefruit.

Exercise 3

Subject and Predicate 305

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Complete Subject and Simple SubjectThe complete subject consists of all the words needed to tellwhom or what the sentence is about. The simple subject is partof the complete subject.

10c. The simple subject is the main word or word groupthat tells whom or what the sentence is about.

EXAMPLES The Korean market is closed today.complete subject The Korean market

simple subject market

A brightly colored blue jay sat on the windowsill.complete subject A brightly colored blue jay

simple subject blue jay

Sometimes the same word or words make up both thesimple subject and the complete subject.

EXAMPLES In the canyon, we saw hawks. [We is both the complete subject and the simple subject.]

Little Rascal is the story of a boy and his pet raccoon.[The title Little Rascal is both the complete subject andthe simple subject.]

In this book, the term subject generally refers to the simplesubject unless otherwise indicated.

Identifying Complete Subjects and Simple Subjects

Identify the complete subject of each of the following sentences. Then, underline the simple subject.

EXAMPLE 1. From the chimney came a thick cloud of smoke.1. a thick cloud of smoke

1. Several tents were set up in the park.2. Have you heard the new CD by Gloria Estefan?3. News travels fast in our town.4. Above the fort, the flag was still flying.5. Beyond those distant mountains lies an ancient American

Indian village.

Exercise 4

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If you leave the simple sub-ject out of a sentence, thesentence will not makesense.

EXAMPLESThe Korean . . . is closedtoday.

A brightly colored . . .sat on the windowsill.


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6. Those newspaper reporters have been interviewing themayor all morning.

7. On the shelf was a beautiful blue bowl.8. According to folklore, Pecos Bill made the Grand Canyon.9. The blue candles burned all night long.

10. In the drawer were some chopsticks.

The Predicate10d. The predicate of a sentence tells something about thesubject.

EXAMPLES Lois Lenski wrote Strawberry Girl.

The tooth with a point is called a canine.

Identifying Predicates

Identify the predicate in each of the following sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. Many people would like to have a robot.1. would like to have a robot

1. Robots are machines with “brains.”2. The robot’s brain is a computer.3. Not all robots look like humans.4. Some robots look like toy cars.5. One robot explored some of.the surface of.Mars.6. Many companies use robots.7. Cars of the future may be guided by robots.8. Some household jobs can be done by robots.9. A robot could clean your room.

10. You might like to have a robot to help with your daily chores.

The Position of the PredicateThe predicate usually comes after the subject. Sometimes,however, part or all of the predicate comes before the subject.

EXAMPLES Quickly we learned the layout of the small Hopivillage.

At the entrance to the science fair were maps ofthe exhibits.

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Identifying Predicates

Write each of the following sentences. Then, underline the predicate.

EXAMPLE 1. At noon we went to a Mexican restaurant.1. At noon we went to a Mexican restaurant.

1. Our family likes different kinds of.food.2. Last night Dad prepared spaghetti and a salad for supper.3. Sometimes Mom makes chow mein.4. With chow mein she serves egg rolls.5. At the Greek bakery we buy fresh pita bread.6. Tomorrow Erica will make German potato salad.7. Lately, tacos have become my favorite food.8. Carefully, I spoon grated lettuce and cheese into a tortilla.9. After that come the other ingredients.

10. In the United States, people enjoy a wide variety of.foods.

Writing Predicates

Make a sentence out of each of the following words or wordgroups by adding a predicate to fill the blank or blanks.

EXAMPLE 1. everyone1. With a shout of joy, everyone took a paddle and

began to row.or

As the waves crashed against the raft, everyonegrabbed for the sides.

1. Foamy white water .2. The hot summer air .3. A strong current .4. the eyes of every person on board .5. The lightweight paddles .6. dangerous rocks and swirls .7. Quick action by everyone .8. A sleek, blue rubber raft .9. The man in the white helmet and blue life

jacket .10. the people in this photograph .

Exercise 7

Exercise 6


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Although theexample in Exercise 7shows two possibleanswers, you need to giveonly one answer foreach item.


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Complete Predicate and Simple PredicateThe complete predicate consists of a verb and all the wordsthat describe the verb and complete its meaning.

10e. The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word orword group in the complete predicate.

EXAMPLES The nurse lifted the patient carefully.complete predicate lifted the patient carefully

simple predicate (verb) lifted

I saw a picture of a Siberian tiger.complete predicate saw a picture of a Siberian

tigersimple predicate (verb) saw

Identifying Complete Predicates and Verbs

Identify the complete predicate of each of the following sentences. Then, underline the verb.

EXAMPLE 1. For several reasons, space travel fascinates me.1. For several reasons fascinates me

1. My class traveled by train to Houston,.Texas.2. In Houston my classmates and I visited the Lyndon B.

Johnson Space Center.3. The center displays moon rocks.4. At the center, astronauts train for.their flights.5. In one room we saw several unusual computers.6. On the way home, we stopped at the.Astrodome for a tour.7. The stadium covers nine-and-a-half.acres of.land.8. Several teams play there.9. Every year the Astrodome attracts thousands of.tourists.

10. Actually, I had more fun at the space center.

The simple predicate may be a single verb or a verb phrase(a verb with one or more helping verbs).

EXAMPLES Yoshi went to Japan last summer. [single verb]

The park is located near a lake. [verb phrase]

We should have planned a picnic. [verb phrase]

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Reference Note

For information on helping verbs, see page 347.

H E L P

In this book, the simple predicate is generally called the verb.


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The words not and never and the contraction –n’t are notverbs. They are never part of a verb or verb phrase.

EXAMPLE Kendra shouldn’t have added another hot pepperto the sauce.

Identifying Complete Predicates and Verbs

Identify the complete predicate in each of the following sentences. Then, underline the verb.

EXAMPLE 1. The Liberty Bell was made in England.1. was made in England

1. I am writing a report on the Liberty Bell.2. The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the.Liberty.Bell.3. Thomas Lester had made the bell.in London.4. In 1752, the bell was cracked by its own clapper.5. American patriots hid the bell.from the British army.6. The bell was not brought back to Philadelphia until 1778.7. The Liberty Bell cracked again in 1835.8. This bell has been rung on many historic occasions.9. The bell is exhibited in the Liberty Bell.Pavilion.

10. We will.be seeing it on our field trip to Philadelphia.

Finding the SubjectSometimes it may be difficult to find the subject of a sentence.In such cases, find the verb first. Then, ask yourself Who? orWhat? before the verb.

EXAMPLES Next semester you may take art or music. [The verb ismay take. Who may take? You may take. You is thesubject of the sentence.]

Can your sister drive us to the park? [The verb is Candrive. Who can drive? Sister can drive. Sister is the subject of the sentence.]

Please read the first chapter. [The verb is read. Whoshould read? You should read. You is the understoodsubject of the sentence.]

Exercise 9

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Reference Note

For more information onunderstood subjects,see page 316.


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Compound Subject and Compound VerbCompound Subject

10f. A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a conjunction and that have the same verb.

The parts of a compound subject are most often connected byand or or.

EXAMPLES Minneapolis and St. Paul are called the “TwinCities.” [The two parts of the compound subject havethe same verb, are called.]

Will Mrs. Jones or Ms. Lopez chaperone our fieldtrip? [The two parts of the compound subject have thesame verb, Will chaperone.]

Flutes, clarinets, and oboes are all woodwind instruments. [The three parts of the compound subjecthave the same verb, are.]

Identifying Compound Subjects

Identify the compound subjects in each of the followingsentences.

EXAMPLE 1. October and June are my favorite months.1. October, June

1. Wild ducks and geese migrate south each year.2. Stars and planets form a galaxy.3. Someday dolphins and people may be able to communicate

with each other.4. Baseball and soccer are the two most popular sports at my

sister’s school.5. Eggs and flour are two ingredients in pancakes.6. Every year bugs and rabbits raid our vegetable garden.7. Pizza or ravioli will be served.8. At a party, balloons or horns make the best noisemakers.9. Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Lhasa apsos, and Pekingese ran

around in the yard.10. In the Tower of London are famous jewels and crowns.

Exercise 10


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Reference Note

Notice that commas areused to separate threeor more parts of a com-pound subject. For moreabout this use of commas,see page 566.


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Compound Verb

10g. A compound verb consists of two or more verbs thatare joined by a conjunction and that have the same subject.

A connecting word such as and or but is used to join the partsof a compound verb.

EXAMPLES Ben overslept but caught his bus anyway.

Conchita hums, sings, or listens to the radio all day.

My father bought a Chinese wok and cookedvegetables in it.

Identifying Compound Verbs

Identify the compound verbs in the following sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. I have proofread my paper and made a final copy.1. have proofread, made

1. Mai and her parents left Vietnam and arrived in Californiain 1994.

2. Julie received good grades and made the honor roll.3. Every week, our band practices together and writes songs.4. Before supper I usually set the table or peel the vegetables.5. Floyd asked for a watch but received a bike instead.6. We gathered firewood and headed back to camp.7. Last week everyone gave a speech or recited a poem.8. The referee will call a rain delay or postpone the game.9. I remembered the bread but forgot the milk.

10. The Greek restaurant has closed but will reopen soon.

Writing Compound Subjects andCompound Verbs

Make sentences by adding compound subjects or compoundverbs to fill in the blanks in the following word groups.

EXAMPLES 1. are coming to the party.1. Fran and Terry are coming to the party.

2. At the mall, we .2. At the mall, we ate lunch and went to a movie.

1. are beginning a stamp collection.

Exercise 12

Exercise 11


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Remember toinclude helping verbs whenyou are identifying verbs inExercise 11.


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10g2. were my favorite teachers last year.

3. The creature from outer space .4. At the end of the play, the cast .5. Last week were interviewed on a talk show.6. In the garage are .7. During the storm, we .8. At the front door were .9. After school, my friends .

10. He before the birthday party.

Identifying Subjects and Verbs

Identify the subjects and verbs in each of the following sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. In the history of African American music are manyunforgettable names.

1. names—subject; are—verb

1. You may recognize the man in the picture on this page.2. Most people immediately think of his deep, raspy voice.3. Ray Charles is called the father of soul music.4. He lost his sight at the age of seven and became an

orphan at fifteen.5. However, misfortune and trouble did not stop

Ray Charles.6. His musical genius turned his troubles into songs.7. Today, the songs of Ray Charles are heard all over

the world.8. Do his songs contain different musical styles?9. Gospel, jazz, blues, and even pop are all part of

his sound.10. His special style and powerful performances have

drawn fans to Ray Charles for nearly fifty years.

A sentence may have both a compound subject and a compound verb.

S S V VEXAMPLES Zina and I bought corn and fed the ducks.

S S V VCarrots and celery are crunchy and satisfy yourappetite.

Review B

H E L P

Some of the subjects and verbs inReview B are compound.


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Sometimes a sentence will contain more than one subjectand verb, but neither the subject nor verb will be compound.

S V S VEXAMPLES I like apples, but my sister prefers oranges.

[compound sentence]

S VIn San Antonio, we toured the Alamo, while our

S Vfriends visited the Riverwalk. [complex sentence]

S V S VDavid wipes the table, and Cindy dries the dishes

S Vthat Dad has washed.[compound-complex sentence]

Identifying Compound Subjects andCompound Verbs

Identify the compound subject and the compound verb ineach of the following sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. Tina and Julia washed the dog and dried it.1. Tina, Julia—subject; washed, dried—verb

1. Alice and Reiko sang and played the piano.2. Either Dwayne or I will.find the coach and ask his advice.3. Patrick and she read the same biography of Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr., and reported on it.4. Roses and lilacs look pretty and smell good.5. The dentist or her assistant cleans and polishes my teeth.6. In many traditional Japanese homes, doors or partitions

are framed in wood, left open in the middle, and then covered with rice paper.

7. Larry and she washed the dishes but did not dry them.8. The lamb and its mother had leapt the fence but were still

inside the yard.9. Fish, rays, turtles, and dolphins live in the Gulf of Mexico

and often swim near the shore.10. Did Uncle Ted or his children call or visit you on their way

through town?

Exercise 13

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Reference Note

For more informationabout compound, complex, and compound-complexsentences, see page 395.

S T Y L E T I P

In your own writing, youcan combine ideas by creat-ing compound subjects andverbs. Combining sentencesin this way will help makeyour writing smoother andeasier to read. Comparethe examples below.

CHOPPYSusan went hiking in themountains. Mark wenthiking, too. Aunt Conniewent with them.

REVISEDSusan, Mark, and AuntConnie went hiking in themountains.

Reference Note

For more information on combining sentences,see page 269.


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Identifying Subjects and Predicates

Identify the complete subject and the complete predicate ineach of the following sentences. Then, underline the simplesubject and the verb.

EXAMPLE 1. Reports and legends of huge apelike creatures fascinate many people.

1. subject—Reports and legends of huge apelike creatures; predicate—fascinate many people

1. These creatures are known as Yeti in the Himalayas and asRakshas in Katmandu.

2. American Indians of the Northwest call them Mammoth.3. Sasquatch and Bigfoot are other common names for these

mysterious creatures.4. Since 1818, they have been seen and described by people in

the United States and Canada.5. According to most accounts, Bigfoot adults are very strong

and large and smell very bad.6. Their huge footprints have been measured and cast in

plaster by eager searchers.7. However, these reports and bits of evidence generally do

not convince scientists.8. Not one live Bigfoot has ever been captured by either sci-

entists or the general public.9. As a result, the Bigfoot is simply a fantasy to most people.

10. Still, in pockets of deep wilderness across the countrymight live whole families of these shy creatures.

Writing Sentences

Tell whether each of the following sentence parts can be usedas a subject or a predicate. Then, use each sentence part in asentence. Begin each sentence with a capital letter, and end itwith the correct mark of punctuation. Use a variety of subjectsand verbs in your sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. will drive us home1. predicate—Will your mother drive us home?

1. my favorite book2. watched a good mystery

Review D

Review C


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Some of the subjects and verbs inReview C are compound.


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3. the flying saucer4. the oldest house in town5. prepares delicious Korean food6. growled and bared its teeth7. the shiny red car and the bicycle8. caught a huge fish9. can borrow your skates

10. the best tacos and enchiladas in town

Kinds of SentencesSentences may be classified according to purpose.

10h. A declarative sentence makes a statement and endswith a period.

EXAMPLES Our media center has several computers.

Patrick Henry lived in Virginia.

10i. An imperative sentence gives a command or makes arequest. Most imperative sentences end with a period. Astrong command ends with an exclamation point.

EXAMPLES Please pass the potatoes. [request]

Sit down. [command]

Stop shouting! [strong command]

The subject of a command or a request is always you, evenif the word you never appears in the sentence. In such cases,you is called the understood subject.

EXAMPLES [You] Please pass the potatoes.

[You] Stop shouting!

10j. An interrogative sentence asks a question and endswith a question mark.

EXAMPLES Did the Apollo 13 spacecraft reach the moon?

How old are you?


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Reference Note

For information onhow sentences can beclassified according tostructure, see page 394.


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Subject and Predicate - Virtual Learning Courses Online High

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