Subjects &

Predicates
Project LA Activity
Edited & Revised
by Mrs. Perry
2010

Every complete sentence

contains two parts: a subject
and a predicate.

The subject is what (or

whom) the sentence is
about, while the predicate
tells something about the
subject.

Peyton and her dog run

on the beach every
morning.

Peyton and her dog run on the

beach every morning.

First find the verb and then

make a question by placing
``who?'' or ``what?'' before it.

The answer is the

subject, Peyton
and her dog.

Simple Subjects and

Simple Predicates
Every subject is built around one noun or pronoun (or more).
When all other words are removed the simple subject is left.

Simple Subject
A piece of chocolate candy
would taste great.
The main word in the subject is the
noun ``piece,'' with the other words
of the subject -- ``a'' and ``of
chocolate candy'' tell about the
noun. ``piece'' is the simple subject.

Simple Predicate
A simple predicate is always the verb or verbs that links up
with the subject.

Simple Predicate
A piece of chocolate candy
would taste great.
The simple predicate is ``would
taste'' -- in other words,
the verb of the sentence.

Lets try one:

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

What is the verb of this sentence

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

Spilled is the simple predicate!

So whats the complete

predicate?
The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

What are the all the words that describe / go with the
action (verb) of this sentence?

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

Spilled popcorn on the floor is the complete
predicate!

Now find the simple & complete subject:

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

Now decide who or what spilled popcorn?

The excited students spilled popcorn on the floor.

The excited students = complete subject

students = simple subject

Can you find the complete

and simple subject in each
below?
1.sentence
My little brother
broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob asked for
directions.
3. Those students carried backpacks.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the complete

& simple subject in each
sentence
below?
1. My little brother broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob asked for directions.
3. Those students carried backpacks.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.
Red = complete subject
Underlining = simple subject

Can you find the complete

predicate in each sentence
below?
1. My little brother broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob will ask for
directions.
3. Those students carried backpacks.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the predicate

in each sentence below?
1. My little brother broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob will ask for
directions.
3. Those students carried
backpacks.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the simple

predicate in each sentence
below?
1. My little brother broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob will ask for
directions.
3. Those students carried backpacks.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the simple

predicate in each sentence
below?

1. My little brother broke his finger.

2. His Uncle Bob will ask for directions.
3. Those students carried backpacks.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Compound Subject
A sentence may have a
compound subject -- a
simple subject made up of
more than one noun or
pronoun.
No Doubt

ACDC

Can you find the

compound subjects?
Team pennants,
rock posters and
family
photographs
covered the
boy's bedroom
walls.

Can you find the

compound subjects?
Team pennants,
rock posters and
family
photographs
covered the
boy's bedroom
walls.

Can you find the

compound subjects?

Her uncle and she walked

slowly through the art gallery
and admired the beautiful
pictures exhibited there.

Can you find the

compound subjects?

Her uncle and she walked

slowly through the art gallery
and admired the beautiful
pictures exhibited there.

Can you find the compound

subject in each sentence
below?
1. My little brother and my cousin broke their
fingers.
2. His Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty asked for
directions.
3. Those students and teachers carried backpacks.
4. Our babysitter, her friend and my parents arrived
late.

Can you find the compound

subject in each sentence
below?
1. My little brother and my cousin broke their
fingers.
2. His Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty asked for
directions.
3. Those students and teachers carried
backpacks.
4. Our babysitter, her friend and my parents
arrived late.

Compound
Predicate
A compound predicate,
predicate is more
than one verb relating to the
same subject.

Can you find the

compound predicate?
Mother mopped and
scrubbed the kitchen floor.

Can you find the

compound predicate?

Mother mopped and

scrubbed the kitchen floor.

Can you find the compound

predicate in each sentence
below?
1. My little brother bruised and broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob looked and asked for
directions.
3. Those students will carry and use their
backpacks.
4. Our babysitter overslept and arrived late.

Can you find the compound predicate

in each sentence below?
1. My little brother bruised and broke his finger.
2. His Uncle Bob looked and asked for directions.
3. Those students will carry and use their
backpacks.
4. Our babysitter overslept and arrived late.

Quick Quiz: Copy each sentence.

Circle the simple subject. Underline
the complete subject ONCE. Highlight
the simple predicate. Underline the
complete predicate TWICE.

1.) The crazed student ran swiftly towards the dancing floor.
2.) He was about to do the worm!
3.) Last week Daniel drew a beautiful picture.
4.) Kirins dog chased my cats down the stairs.
5.) Last night you had to make view a PowerPoint for
homework.
6.) Have you been to the Calvert County fair?

Interrogative Sentences

(advanced concept - not tested in 4th grade)

(This is just for the students who asked!)

When questions begin with part or all

of the predicate, this is the P S P
word order.

Have you seen a dog? P S P

Have I seen a dog?

P S P

Why do you ask?

P S P

To locate the subject of an

interrogative sentence,change the
question into a declarative
sentence. (Make a statement.)

Have you seen a dog? Question

You have seen a dog. Statement
Have I seen a dog? Question
I have seen a dog.
Statement
Why do you ask?
Question
You do ask why.
Statement