Simple Subjects and Simple PredicatesA sentence is a group of words expressing a

complete thought.Every sentence has two basic parts, a

subject and a predicate.The subject is the part of the sentence which

something is being said.The predicate (verb) is the part that says

something about the subject.

Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates

The simple subject is the key noun or pronoun (or word or group of words acting as a noun) that tells what a sentence is about.The simple subject may be a compound noun

consisting of more than one word.The simple predicate is the verb or verb

phrase the expresses the essential thought about the subject of the sentence.A simple predicate that is a verb phrase

consists of the verb and any helping verbs.

Simple Subjects and Simple PredicatesSimple Subject Simple Predicate

Dionne Warwick will perform.

Owls were hooting.

Jose’ Canseco ran.

Things change.

Complete Subjects and Complete Predicates The complete subject consists of the simple

subject and all the words that modify it.The complete predicate consists of the

simple predicate, or verb, and all the words that modify it or complete its meaning.

Complete Subjects and Complete Predicates

Simple Subject Simple Predicate

Talented Dionne Warwick will perform her biggest hits.

Large owls with bright eyes were hooting in the forest.

The speedy Jose’ Canseco ran all the way home from first base.

Many things change daily.

Compound subjects and Compound predicates A compound subject is made up of two or more

simple subjects that are joined by a conjunction and have the same verb.The conjunctions most commonly used to join the

subjects in a compound subject are and & or. Tomatoes and carrots are colorful vegetables. Tomatoes or carrots are my favorite vegetables.

Correlative conjunctions may be used to join compound subjects. Neither the tomato nor the pepper grows underground. Both the tomato and the pepper are rich in vitamin C.

Compound subjects and Compound predicates A compound predicate (or compound verb) is made up

of two or more verbs or verb phrases that are joined by a conjunction and have the same subject.Horses gallop and charge.Nina inserted the film, looked through the

viewfinder, and snapped the photograph.In compound verbs that contain verb phrases, the

helping verb may or may not be repeated before the second verb.Sea gulls will glide or swoop down to the ocean.

A sentence may have both a compound subject and compound predicate.Butterflies and hummingbirds dart and dip in the air.

Inverted OrderAt times a sentence is written in inverted

order. In other words, the predicate is before the subject.

Remember, a word in a prepositional phrase is never the subject.

Predicate Subject

Across the field galloped

the three horses.

In the distance ran a river.

Inverted OrderPredicate Subject

There is a chill in the air.

Here are my thoughts on the subject.

When the word there or here begins a sentence and is followed by a form of the verb to be, the subject follows the verb. The words there and here are almost never the subject of a sentence.

Inverted OrderTo find a subject in an inverted sentence, ask

“who?” or “what?”

What galloped across the field? The three horses galloped.

What is in the air? A chill is in the air.

Predicate Subject

Across the field gallopedIn the distance ranThere isHere are

the three horses.a river.a chill in the air.my thoughts on the subject.

Complements A complement is a word or group of words

that completes the meaning of a verb.There are four kinds of complements:

Direct objectsIndirect objectsObject complementsSubject complements

Direct ObjectsA direct object answers the question what or

whom after an action verb.The subject of a sentence usually performs that

action indicated by the verb. That action may be directed toward or received by someone or something – direct object. Nouns, pronouns or words serving as nouns can be direct objects. Carlos served dinner. [Carlos served what?] Marie admires him deeply. [Marie admires whom?] Carlos served a Mexican dinner and a fabulous

dessert. [Carlos served what?]

Indirect ObjectsAn indirect object answers the question to whom, for

who, to what and for what after an action verb.In most cases a sentence may have an indirect object

only if it has a direct object. The indirect object will always come between the verb and the direct object.Tyrone served his sisters dinner.Greta saved him a seat.Kim saved Rosa and Jose’ seats.The children gave the worthy charity all their savings.Marsha gave the game her best effort.

Object ComplementsAn object complement answers the question

what? after a direct object. In other words, it completes the meaning of the direct object by identifying or describing it.

Object complements occur only in sentences with direct objects and only in those sentences with the following action verbs or similar verbs that have the general meaning of “make” or “consider.”Appoint elect render consider

nameChoose make call find think

Object ComplementsAn object complement usually follows a

direct object. It may be an adjective, a noun, or a pronoun.Residents find the park peaceful. [adjective]Katie appointed me assistant, treasurer, and

cook. [nouns]My grandmother considers the property hers.

[pronoun]

Subject ComplementsA subject complement follows a subject and a

linking verb and identifies or describes the subject.

There are two kinds of subject complements: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.A Predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun

that follows a linking verb (sob) and points back to the subject to rename it or to identify it further. Sopranos are singers. Clearly the star of the opera was she. Many current opera stars are Italians or Spaniards. Julia became both a musician and an actress. That experience remains a cherished memory for

me.

Subject ComplementsA predicate adjective follows a linking verb and

points back to the subject and describes it.Ballerinas are graceful.Ballerinas must be extremely dedicated.Most ballerinas seem intense and hard-working.

Predicate adjectives may follow any linking verb.I felt very carefree.Only a few marathoners appear fresh even now.The water tasted delicious.I grew increasingly tired.My sister appeared weary.My friend Tanya looked exhausted but happy.