Subjects and Predicates

• Subject: whom or what the sentence is aboutThe highlight of class was the discussion of

Davy Crockett.

• Predicate: tells what the subject is or does or what happens to the subject

The class read several tall tales about this adventurous frontiersman.

• Simple Subject: main word(s) that tell whom or what a sentence is about.

This book on ecology will provide information for my report.

• Complete Subject: all the words that tell whom or what a sentence is about; includes prepositional phrases/modifiers

This book on ecology will provide information for my report.

• Simple Predicate: verb / verb phraseAiden goes to the movies every

weekend.

• Complete Predicate: verb and all the words that modify the verb and complete its meaning

Aiden goes to the movies every weekend.

Decide whether the underlined word(s) is the subject or the predicate. On the line, write S for subject or P

for predicate.

1. _____ Davy Crocket is a popular legendary hero.

2. _____ This native of Tennessee died at the battle of the Alamo.

Decide whether the underlined word(s) is the complete subject or the simple subject. On the line write CS for

complete subject and SS for simple subject.

1. ______ The study of wildlife is fascinating and fun.

2. ______ We can help protect animals.

Underline the complete subject in the following sentences. Then, circle the simple subject.

1. The carnivorous Tasmanian devil grows up to thirty-one inches in length.

2. Some armadillos may be up to five feet long.

Decide whether the underlined word(s) is the complete predicate or the simple predicate (verb). On the line, write CP

for complete predicate or SP for simple predicate.

1. ______ Families entertained themselves one hundred years ago.

2. ______ They would have been astonished by television.

In each of the following sentences, draw one line under the complete predicate and circle the simple predicate

(verb).

1. My personal favorite was the daily canoe trip upriver.

2. My older brother had never canoed before.

In each sentence, draw one line under the complete subject and two lines under the

complete predicate.

1. Another U.S. explorer, Frederick Cook, made the same claim.

2. Peary’s claim was accepted by Congress.

Underline each simple subject once and each simple predicate (verb) twice.

1. The tiny bedbug has often found its home in humans’ beds.

2. Any person with laundry skills can wash bedding in the hottest wash cycle possible.