Chapter 2

Parts of the sentence

PRACTICE

Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates

Write each simple subject and simple predicate. Underline the simple predicate.

1. Two days of rain and fog can make a whole week dreary and disagreeable.

Simple subject simple predicate

2. Charles Dickens used his father as a model for Wilkins Micawber in David
Copperfield.

Simple subject simple predicate

3. In the first row, Tandra Sen will stand next to Chris Johnson.

Simple subject simple predicate

4. The 8:15 train goes to Baltimore on weekdays but not weekends.

Simple subject simple predicate

5. Nobody told me about the new class schedule.

Simple subject simple predicate

6. Nina listened carefully to the symphony's first movement.

Simple subject simple predicate

7. You will sing solo today.

Simple subject simple predicate

8. In spite of the bad weather, everyone is here on time today.

Simple subject simple predicate

9. The squirrel is one of nature's best acrobats.

Simple subject simple predicate

10. That last concert deserved its special mention in today's newspaper.

Simple subject simple predicate

PRACTICE

Complete Subjects and Complete Predicates

Identify each underlined complete subject or complete predicate by writing CS or CP.

1. The rafters of the opera house shook with the tremendous crescendos of Wagner's
The Twilight of the Gods.

CS

2. Lily and Tamiko are very much concerned about the gap in the ozone layer.

CP

3. Henri and Marquise have spoken to the coach about this year's soccer team.

CS

4. The first baseball of spring crashed through the window.

CP

5. The magnificent Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the victory of William the
Conqueror over the Anglo-Saxons in A.D. 1066.

CP

6. The character with the dusty hat, the tattered coat, and the ill-fitting pants is usually
played by Charlie Chaplin.

CS

7. Robin has the attendance reports for the first semester.

CP

8. Charli likes scarlet tanagers better than blue jays.

CS

9. My friend Robert has never missed a class or failed a test

CP

10. Jaime's new red balloon sailed through the window, past the trees, and into the
clouds.

CS

PRACTICE
Simple and Compound Subjects and Predicates

Write CS if a sentence has a compound subject. Write CP if there is a compound

predicate. Then write the simple subjects and the simple predicates.

1. Wheat and apples are two of Washington state's most important crops.

CS, the simple subjects are wheat and apples, the simple predicate is are

2. Its clear glacial lakes and deep forests make Washington a breathtaking stop on a
western trip.

CS, the simple subjects are lakes and forest, and the simple predicate is make

3. Noah Webster wrote the first truly American dictionary, simplified the spelling of many
words, and campaigned for the first American copyright laws.

CP, the simple predicates are wrote, simplified and campaigned, the simple subjects is
Noah Webster

4. Matthew Arnold and William Butler Yeats are both famous for the echoing sound
effects in their poetry.

CS, the simple subjects are Matthew and William, the simple predicate is are

5. You or Nai will go to the mall with your father.

CS, the simple subjects are you and Nai, the simple predicate is will go

6. Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park plunge over tall cliffs and merge with the waters
below.

CP, the simple predicates are plunge and merge, the simple subject is Yosemite
national park

7. The Zambezi River rises in Zambia and follows a winding course across
Mozambique.

CP, the simple predicates are rises and follows, the simple subject is zambie rivers

8. Bill, Connie, and Adam sing very well.

CS, the simple subjects are Bill, Connie and Adam, the simple predicate is sing

9. You have read or memorized plenty of poetry in the last week.

CP, the simple predicates are have read and memorized, the simple subject is you

10. We remember and honor Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln as visionary leaders.

CP, the simple predicates are remember and honor, the simple subject is We

PRACTICE

Identifying Simple Subjects and Predicates in Sentences with Unusual Order

Write each simple subject and simple predicate. If a subject is understood, write You),

1. Have a good time at the game!

Simple subject – you

Simple predicate - have

2. Has anyone seen my red corduroy blazer?

Simple subject – blazer

Simple predicate - seen

3. Downwind from the paper mill drifted the unpleasant odor of sulfur.

Simple subject – odor

Simple predicate - drifted

4. Here is the list of drama club members.

Simple subject – members

Simple predicate - is
5. Where is Pittsburgh on this map?

Simple subject – Pittsburgh

Simple predicate - is
6. Over the hurdles bounded the Cricco twins.

Simple subject – twins

Simple predicate - bounded

7. Does Marjorie consider my ideas odd?

Simple subject – Marjorie

Simple predicate - consider

8. Please park on the street, not on the lawn.

Simple subject – You

Simple predicate – park

9. There were some grapes on the table a minute ago.

Simple subject – grapes

Simple predicate - were

10. Now, tell me all about your vacation.

Simple subject – vacation

Simple predicate - tell

PRACTICE

Complements

Write each complement and identify it by writing DO for a direct object, IO for an indirect
object, OC for an object complement, PN for a predicate nominative, and PA for a
predicate adjective

1. This new broccoli dish tastes delicious!

Delicious, PA

2. Iñigo sent me a card from Seville!

Seville, DO

3. Ms. DiGiulio appointed Tamara captain.

Captain, OC

4. People call Philadelphia "the city of brotherly love."

Love, DO

5. Deborah seems very sure of herself

Herself, DO

6. Damaged tankers usually cause oil spills.

Oil speeds, PA

7. A forest of pine trees is a place of unusual beauty.

Beauty, DO

8. The air often becomes still just before a storm.

Storm, DO

9. On Saint Lucia's Day in Sweden, the oldest daughter serves her family breakfast in bed.

Bed, DO

10. In 1960 voters elected John F. Kennedy president.

President, PA

11. Fruit and vegetables are important sources of vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins and minerals, DO

12. Does this spider look dead to you?

You, DO

13. Ralph and Antwan will silk-screen the posters for the school play.

Posters, PA

14. Kamala is a volunteer at the neighborhood soup kitchen.

Kitchen, PA

15. Alex offered me two free tickets to Friday's concert

Concert, PA

16. The Talbots always remained close to their family in Quebec.

Close, PN

17. Was Paris or Helen of Troy the cause of the Trojan War?

War, PA

18. After ten years of fierce battles, the Greeks won the war.

War, PN

19. Luciano Pavarotti is one of the world's best tenors.

Tenors, IO

20. The city of Hamden has opened a new shelter for the homeless on Center Street.

Homeless, OC