Subjects & Predicates

A CONCRETE IMAGE OF HOW SENTENCES WORK

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.

Judy and her dog run on the

beach every morning.

Judy 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, Judy and
her dog.

Lets try one:

We spilled popcorn on the floor.
What is the verb of this
sentence?
We spilled popcorn on the floor.

Now find the subject:

We spilled popcorn on the floor.
Now decide who or what spilled
popcorn?
We spilled popcorn on the floor.

Can you find the subject in

each sentence below?
1. My little brother broke his
finger.
2. His Uncle Bob asked for
directions.
3. Those soldiers carried guns.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the subject in

each sentence below?
1. My little brother broke his
finger.
2. His Uncle Bob asked for
directions.
3. Those soldiers carried guns.
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 asked for
directions.
3. Those soldiers carried guns.
4. Our babysitter arrived late.

Can you find the predicate in

each sentence below?
1. My little brother broke his finger.
2. Those soldiers carried guns.
3. Our babysitter arrived late.

Simple Subject and Simple

Predicate

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 pepperoni pizza''
tell about the noun. ``piece'' is the simple
subject.

Can you find the simple subject

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

Can you find the simple subject

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

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.

Can you find the simple predicate

in each sentence below?
1. My little brother broke his
finger.
2. His Uncle Bob asked for
directions.
3. Those soldiers carried guns.
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 asked for
directions.
3. Those soldiers carried guns.
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?
My uncle and I walked slowly
through the art gallery and
admired the beautiful pictures
exhibited there.

Can you find the compound

subjects?
My uncle and I 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 soldiers and agents carried
guns.
4. Our babysitter and her friend 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 soldiers and agents carried
guns.
4. Our babysitter and her friend arrived
late.

Compound Predicate
A compound 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 soldiers carried and used guns.
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 soldiers carried and used guns.
4. Our babysitter overslept and arrived
late.

Now that you know all about

subjects and predicates, try
to identify the subject and
predicate of the following
sentences.

Identify the subject and predicate

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion

sleeps tonight

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive)

The lion

Lion

Sleeps

Verb 1 + s

Simple
Present

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

When I was just a little girl

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

was

Aux
(past)

Simple
Past

Neutral

Identify the subject and predicate

I asked my mother

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive)

asked

Verb 2

Simple
Past

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

I Will be pretty

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive)

Will be

Will + V1

Future

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

Here's what she said to me.

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Here

Here

is

Be (V1)

Simple
Present

neutral

Identify the subject and predicate

Que sera sera... Whatever will be, will be

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Whatever

Whatever

Will be

Will + V1

Future

active

Identify the subject and predicate

The future's not ours to see.

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

The future

Future

is

Be (V1)

Simple
Present

neutral

Compound and Complex

Sentence

When the music began

Everyone started to dance.

When the music began,

everyone started to dance.

Here are some more dependent clauses:

As soon as it stopped raining

Because I registered early
When we need a quiet place to study

We can place these baskets on the front of a

bike.

As soon as it stopped raining, we saw a double rainbow.

Because I registered early, I got the classes I wanted.
When we need a quiet place to study, we go to the library.

We can also place them on the back of a bike.

We saw a double rainbow as soon as it stopped raining.

I got the classes I wanted because I registered early.
We go to the library when we need a quiet place to study.

More Dependent Clauses

Another kind of dependent clause begins with

the relative pronouns who, which, and that.
who works part-time
which includes a swimming pool
that is parked in my driveway
These clauses are not sentences. They are like
baskets that need to be attached to a bike.

These baskets go after the word they describe.

Sometimes theyre in the middle of the bike.

Frank, who works part-time,will be our guide.

The new fitness center, which includes a swimming
pool, will open in February.
The car that is parked in my driveway is Henrys.

Sometimes they are on the back of the bike.

We are making pasta for the Richardsons, who do not

eat meat.
I have tickets to the jazz festival, which begins at noon.
Karen likes books that have a happy ending.

Sentence Support

Regardless of what kind of basket we add, we need a

basic sentence to support it.
Example: The new fitness center, which includes a
swimming pool, will open in April.
Basic sentence: The new fitness center will
open in April.
Basket: which includes a swimming pool

Identify the subject and predicate

In 1945, nuclear weapons were exploded for

the first time over cities.

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Nuclear
weapons

Weapons

Were
exploded

Be (V2) +
V3

Simple
Past

Passive

Identify the subject and predicate

On August 6th at 8.15 a.m. Japanese time, a

USA bomber dropped the first atom bomb
over Hiroshima

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

a USA
bomber

Bomber

Dropped

V2

Simple
Past

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

Late in the morning of August 9th, a second

atomic bomb was dropped on the people of
Nagasaki.

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

a second
atomic
bomb

Bomb

Was
dropped

Be (V2) +
V3

Simple
Past

Passive

Identify the subject and predicate

In Hiroshima, almost everything was

destroyed within a mile from the explosion

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

almost
everything

Everything

Were
exploded

Be (V2) +
V3

Simple
Past

Passive

Identify the subject and predicate

Altitude sickness is the commonest problem

in Tibet.

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Altitude
Sickness

Sickness

Is

Be (V1)

Simple
Present

Neutral

Identify the subject and predicate

If you have high blood pressure or heart problems.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

If

You

Have

V1

Simple
Present

Active

You

Identify the subject and predicate

You must avoid ascending above 4000 meters

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

You

Must

Modal

Simple
Present

Active

You

Identify the subject and predicate

It is suggested that you do not take baths or engage

in vigorous physical activity on your first day in Tibet.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

that

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

It

it

Is
suggested

Be (V1) +
V3

Simple
Present

Passive

You

You

Do not
take baths
or engage

Do + not +
V1

Simple
Present

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

You should drink at least four litres at high altitudes and

you must always make sure you have plenty of water with
you when you go on long overland journeys.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

You

You

Should
drink

Modal +
V1

Simple
Present

Active

And

You

You

Must
always
make

Modal +
V1

Simple
Present

Active

When

You

You

Go

V1

Simple
present

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

Vaccinations are not officially required for Tibet, but

immunization against cholera, hepatitis, typhoid,
tetanus, polio, and yellow fever is advised.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Vaccinations

Vaccinations

Are
required

Be (V1) +
V3

Simple
Present

Passive

immunization
against cholera,
hepatitis, typhoid,
tetanus, polio,
and yellow fever

immunization

Is advised

Be (V1) +
V3

Simple
Present

Passive

But

Identify the subject and predicate

If you feel symptoms of altitude sickness (headache,

nausea, dizziness) you should get to a lower altitude
as soon as possible.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

If

You

You

Feel

V1

Simple
Present

Active

You

You

Should get Modal +

V1

Simple
Present

active

Identify the subject and predicate

You must not smoke if you are experiencing the

symptoms of altitude sickness.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

If

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

You

You

Must not
smoke

Modal + V1 Simple
Present

You

You

Are
Be + Ving
experiencing

Present
Continuous

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)
Active
Active

Identify the subject and predicate

A vaccination for rabies is strongly recommended for

travellers involved in activities that may bring them into
direct contact with animals such as dogs and bats.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Vaccina- Vaccina- Is strongly

Be + V3
recommended
tion for
tions
rabies

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Simple
Present

Passive

Identify the subject and predicate

You must not smoke if you are experiencing the

symptoms of altitude sickness.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

If

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

You

You

Must not
smoke

Modal + V1 Simple
Present

You

You

Are
Be + Ving
experiencing

Present
Continuous

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)
Active
Active

Identify the subject and predicate

Altitude sickness may occur in travellers who ascend

to altitudes higher than 2500 meters.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Altitude Sickness
sickness

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

May occur

Modal +
V1

Simple
Present

Active

Identify the subject and predicate

Acetazolamide may be taken as a precautionary

measure at a dosage of 125 or 250 mg twice daily.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Acetazol Acetazola May be

amide
mide
taken

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Modal +
Be + V3

Simple
Present

Passive

Identify the subject and predicate

Acetazolamide should under no circumstances be

given to pregnant women or those with a history of
sulpha allergy.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Acetazol Acetazola Should be

amide
mide
given

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Modal +
Be + V3

Simple
Present

Passive

Identify the subject and predicate

Travel to high altitudes is not generally

recommended for those with a history of heart
disease, lung disease, or sickle cell disease.

Conjunc- Subject
tion

Simple
Subject

Travel to Travel
high
altitudes

Predicate

Form

Is not
Be+ Not
generally
+ V3
recommended

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Simple
Present

Passive

Summary
Subject
Noun/s or Group of Nouns
*note: if you find noun phrase
which contains of, the head
(inti) of the noun phrase is the
last noun before of.
Example:
the managers of this company
decide the rules.
The head of the noun phrase (as
the subject of this sentence is
managers so that the predicate
form is decide (V1 without
s).

Predicate
Forms

Examples

To be
V1 (present tense)
To be + Ving
V2 (past tense)
To be + V3 (passive)
Has/have/had + V3 (perfect
tense)
Has/have/had + been + V3
(passive)
Modal + V1
Modal + be + V3 (passive)

He is the manager
The manager decides to
The manager is deciding
The managers decided to
The rule is decided by.
The manager has decided...
The rules have been
decided
The manager must decide
The rules must be decided..

Object

Explanation

Noun/s

To, for,
In, on, at,
Below,
behind,
beside,
Everyday,
Verb-ing,
Verb3
etc.

http://goo.gl/6v3Fr9

Assignment

No

Find a short article.

Pick 10 sentences from the article.

Analyze the Subject and Predicate of each

sentence.

Attach the original article.

Sentence

Conjunction

Subject

Simple
Subject

Predicate

Form

Tense

Voice
(active/
passive/
neutral)

Material for Next Week:

Changing Our Understanding on Health

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