PP.2 Identify the simple subject and predicate of a sentence
What is a sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that shares a complete thought. Every sentence has a subject and a predicate.
- The dog runs.
- My sister reads.
- The sun shines.
If a group of words is missing a subject or a predicate, it is not a complete sentence.
What is a simple subject?
The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in a sentence. It tells who or what the sentence is about.
- The cat sleeps on the couch.
- Tom rides his bike.
- Birds sing loudly.
The simple subject does not include describing words like the, a, my, or small.
What is a simple predicate?
The simple predicate is the main verb in a sentence. It tells what the subject does or is.
- The cat sleeps on the couch.
- Tom rides his bike.
- Birds sing in the trees.
The simple predicate is only the verb, not the words that tell where or how.
Finding the simple subject and predicate
You can find the simple subject and predicate by asking clear questions about the sentence.
- Ask: Who or what is the sentence about? (simple subject)
- Ask: What does the subject do or what is it? (simple predicate)
- Check that the sentence tells a complete thought
Reading the sentence aloud can help you hear the subject and verb clearly.
Practice with simple sentences
Short sentences make it easier to identify the simple subject and predicate.
- The teacher smiles.
- My friends play.
- The bell rings.
Every complete sentence has one simple subject and one simple predicate.