1. Subject and Predicate

2. The Subject and Predicate • Two parts of the sentence • Subject • Predicate

3. Subject • The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentences is about. • The coach of our hockey team used to play professional hockey. What is the simple subject? • The complete subject consists of the simple subject and any words or word groups used to modify the simple subject. • The coach of our hockey team used to play professional hockey. What is the complete subject?

4. Predicate • The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or word group that tells something about the subject. • The puppy chased its tail frantically. What is the simple predicate? • Today another space probe was successfully launched. • The complete predicate consists of the verb and all the words used to modify the verb and complete its meaning. • The puppy chased its tail frantically. What is the complete predicate? • Today another space probe was successfully launched.

5. Compound Subject and Verb • A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are joined by a conjunction and that have the same verb. • The ship and its cargo had been lost. What’s the compound subject? • A compound verb consists of two or more verbs that are joined by a conjunction and that have the same subject. • We chose a seat near the door and quietly sat down. What is the compound verb?

6. How to Find the Subject • Ask who or what? • The subject of the sentence is never in a prepositional phrase. • If in a question, the subject of the sentence usually follows the verb or part of the verb phrase. • If the sentence is a command, the subject is understood to be “you.” • Here and there are almost never the subject of the sentence even though they appear at the beginning of the sentence.