Subjects and Predicates

Sentence Structure Lesson

Warm up

What makes a sentence complete?

What makes a sentence incomplete?
Simple Subjects
Who or what the sentence is about. (the
doer – can be a noun or pronoun)

Example:
Robert asked for his late work.
It was the best concert ever!
Lime green is my favorite color.
Simple Predicates
The action of the sentence; what the
subject does (the verb).

Examples:
Jane cried.
Marcus was talking.
The rain ended the baseball game.
Complete Sentences
Each needs a subject and a predicate.
Imperative sentences do not need subjects.
Subjects are on the left, predicates are right.

Examples
She runs.
Stop.
I am.
Bob went to school, but Kyle stayed home.
 Compound/Complete Subjects
All of the words describing the subject;
telling what the sentence is about.

Examples:
Chris and I studied.
Jane swept and vacuumed.
She and I ate pizza and watched movies.
 Compound/Complete
Predicates
All of the words describing what the
subject does.

Examples:
Chris and I studied.
Jane swept and vacuumed.
She and I ate pizza and watched movies.
Longer Sentences
Sentences may have more than one set of
subjects and predicates.

I went home and my mom yelled at me.

She threw the ball at me but I dropped it.
I had a headache until I took a nap.
 Practice
1. Draw a line between the compound
subject and compound predicate.
2. Underline the simple subject.
3. Circle the simple predicate.
 1

My hard-working dad
pushed the lawn
mower.
 2

The art museum opens

on Monday.
 3

The cherry popsicle

drips down onto my
shirt.
 4

The mall is a fun place

to meet friends.
 5

Our trip to Disney

World was a blast!
 6

Ella’s little sister will

swim in the race today.