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Unit 2: Parts of the Sentence
Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates
Every sentence has a subject and a predicate. A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun that tells what
the sentence is about. A simple predicate is the verb or the verb phrase that tells something about the
subject.
Example: Clocks tick. (Clocks is the simple subject; tick is the simple predicate)
Exercise: Draw one line under each simple subject and two lines under each simple predicate.
Andrea read from the book Of Mice and Men.
1. Bells were ringing in joyous celebration of the king’s coronation.
2. According to poet John Keats, whales are “sea-shouldering” mammals.
3. Flowers were growing in every nook and cranny of the tiny backyard.
4. Paintings were displayed throughout the elaborate entryway.
5. The race at Cape White is on Saturday.
6. Those books are expensive.
7. I write poetry on rainy afternoons.
8. Julia has a rare coin from the seventeenth century.
9. We visited the museum of natural history in Cincinnati, Ohio.
10. The boxes of old clothes and toys are in the corner of the attic.
11. Our dog barks every morning at the mail carrier.
12. The exam was difficult.
13. I asked for a car for my birthday.
14. We stayed at the aquarium all day.
15. The sirens woke us in the dead of night.
16. The performance was impressive.
17. Time passes quickly.
18. Jake studies German.
Complete Subjects and Complete Predicates
A complete subject includes the simple subject and any words that modify it.
The driver of our bus waits patiently for the smallest children.
A complete predicate includes the simple predicate and any words that modify it.
The works of Monet are on display at the museum.
Exercise 1: Draw a vertical line between the complete subject and the complete predicate.
The Vikings were Scandinavian.
1. The seafaring Vikings traveled along the coasts of Europe during the period A.D. 800-1100.
2. This turbulent period is known as the Viking Age.
3. Vikings from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark raided many of Europe’s coastal villages.
4. Viking traders exchanged goods with merchants in Russia and France.
5. Rich iron deposits in Scandinavia allowed Vikings to develop advanced tools.
6. Ornamental spears, swords, and axes were used by Viking warriors.
7. Viking ships were superior to the rowboats of the time.
8. The Vikings often buried their wealthy deceased in ships under water.
9. Some Viking poetry and literature still exist.
10. Viking sea warriors could be vicious in their attacks.
Exercise 2: Draw one line under the complete subject and two lines under the complete predicate.
Many people in coastal villages were killed or taken prisoner.
1. Swedish Vikings settled in areas around the Gulf of Finland.
2. Some Vikings founded settlements in Ireland and northwestern England.
3. These daring explorers also settled in Iceland, Greenland, and North America.
4. Descendants of the Vikings in the city of Normandy, France, were called Normans.
5. Viking conquests slowed in the tenth century.
6. The political systems and armies of Europe grew stronger in the eleventh century.
7. This brought an end to the Viking Age.
8. The Vikings were probably the first Europeans in Nova Scotia.
Compound Subjects and Compound Predicates
A compound subject has two or more simple subjects that are joined by a conjunction. The subjects share
the same verb. A compound predicate has two or more verbs or verb phrases that are joined by a
conjunction and share the same subject.
Example: Pennies, nickels, and dimes filled the jar. (compound subject)
He peeled and ate a banana at lunch. (compound predicate)
Exercise 1: Draw a vertical line between the subject and predicate. Write S above each simple subject and V
above each simple verb.
The campers slept outdoors and cooked over a campfire.
1. You and Tom have the best parts in the play.
2. I wrote the letter and mailed it the same day.
3. Grandmother sews our clothes and knits our sweaters.
4. The photographer took the photos and developed them himself.
5. The boy and the puppy ran toward the house.
6. A pencil case and a picture sat on the teacher’s desk.
7. He makes the crafts and sells them at the art fair.
8. For our club project, Jamal and I grilled and served hot dogs at the picnic.
9. Many friends and relatives came to my sister’s graduation party.
10. Diane and Kelly saw the movie and enjoyed it.
Exercise 2: Draw a vertical line between the subject and predicate. Write in the blank CS if the subject is
compound, CP if the predicate is compound, or B if both are compound.
_CS Tim and Hannah studied for the French test together.
____ 1. Mrs. Littlefield announced the winner and called him to the front of the class.
____ 2. The coach, the team, and the fans stomped and cheered loudly after the touchdown.
____ 3. The librarian found us books and suggested some articles.
____ 4. Music and art were my favorite classes last year.
____ 5. Our government class chose two candidates and held a mock election.
____ 6. Four geese and one duck swim in the pond behind our house.
Order of Subject and Predicate
Because the subject may appear at almost any point in the sentence, you will find it easier to locate the
subject if you pick out the verb first. For instance:
The leaders of the troops were carefully chosen.
The verb is were chosen. Now ask yourself, “Who or what were chosen?” Your answer is leaders; hence
leaders is the subject. In the sentence Into the house rushed the dog the verb is rushed. Ask yourself, “Who
or what rushed?” Your answer is dog; hence dog is the subject.
In most sentences, the subject comes before the predicate. In a sentence written in inverted order, the
predicate comes before the subject.
Some sentences are written in inverted order for variety or special emphasis.
PREDICATE
SUBJECT
Around her neck was a beautiful necklace.
The subject also follows the predicate in a sentence that begins with there or here.
PREDICATE
SUBJECT
There are
more members in the Chess Club than in the Pep Club.
When the subject you is understood, the predicate appears without a subject.
UNDERSTOOD SUBJECT
(You)
PREDICATE
Ask her for help.
Exercise: Draw one line under each simple subject and two lines under each simple predicate.
Over the hill lies a valley rich with artifacts.
1. Here are the cookies for the bake sale.
2. Look at the photographs in the album.
3. There is no reason for the delay.
4. Behind Joey was the girl from my biology class.
5. In the pile on the left were the tests from our class.
6. Inside a box in the attic was a picture of her grandmother’s wedding.
7. There goes my favorite kind of sports car!
8. Using a microscope, watch the movement of the bacteria.
9. Deep in the water was a swordfish partially hidden by a rock.
10. Finish the assignment for Friday.
11. There was no one left in the auditorium after the play.
12. Wear a heavy coat on your walk in the snow.
13. Read the third paragraph aloud.
14. Inside the apartment building were the landlord and her dog.
Complements: Direct and Indirect Objects
A complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a verb. A direct object is one type of
complement. It answers the question what? or whom? after an action verb.
Marie Curie won two Nobel Prizes. (Noble Prizes answers the question what?)
An indirect object is also a complement. It answers the question to whom? for whom? to what? or for
what? after an action verb.
Harrison gave Randy a gift for his birthday. (Randy answers the question to whom?)
Exercise 1: Draw two lines under each verb. Circle each direct object.
The Bobcats won the championship.
1. We ate dinner earlier than usual.
2. My uncle in Singapore sent me flowers on my birthday.
3. Does Ricki like his new home?
4. Our family took a trip to Arizona last year.
5. Pam liked my new dress.
6. Keshia wrote a great speech for the assembly.
7. Henry Ford introduced the Model T Ford in 1908.
8. I carried Dana’s backpack to the bus stop for her.
Exercise 2: Circle each direct object. Draw one line under each indirect object.
Mrs. Reynolds made me a costume for the masquerade.
1. She gave the museum a rare sculpture.
2. Did Tracy give you her tickets for the concert?
3. The candidate gave voters a chance for questions.
4. The librarian gave Isabel a book.
5. I gave the clerk a ten-dollar bill.
6. Has Jim told Marcos and Josh his plans?
7. The college awarded my sister a full scholarship.
8. Ben made Rachel and me a batch of cookies.
Object Complements and Subject Complements
An object complement is a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective that completes the meaning of a direct object by
identifying or describing it.
Kelly finds me a good friend. (noun)
Paul calls the car his. (pronoun)
He considered it irrelevant. (adjective)
Exercise 1: Above each object complement, write N for noun, P for pronoun, or adj. for adjective.
Frederick finds hockey a challenge.
1. Tara considers her education an investment in her future.
2. They call that land theirs.
3. We elected Tim class treasurer.
4. Errors make these baseball cards rare.
5. Yolanda found the German class a challenge.
6. Important landmarks make that city a tourist attraction.
A subject complement follows a subject and a linking verb. It identifies or describes a subject. The two
kinds of subject complements are predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and gives more information about
the subject.
Montana is a state.
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and gives more information about the
subject.
He seemed happy with the results.
Exercise 2: Write PN above each predicate nominative and PA above each predicate adjective.
That coat seems expensive.
1. Nicole would be a good choice for cheerleader.
2. Uncle Paul is your father’s brother.
3. Eric’s notes are scraps of paper with unreadable writing.
4. The party was dull without a band.
5. The house looks ready for a fresh coat of paint.
6. Sunlight is one cause of skin cancer.
Unit 2 Review: Parts of the Sentence
Exercise 1: Draw a vertical line between the subject and predicate. Write DO above each direct object and
IO above each indirect object.
Carol wrote her paper about water pollution.
1. We recycle newspapers.
2. My friend Janet bought chips and soda for the party.
3. He gave us coins from his collection.
4. Rex served his parents breakfast on their anniversary.
5. Ken thanked me for my help.
6. I found a five-dollar bill on the ground.
7. Karen told her doctor the truth.
8. We saw the stars clearly with the new telescope.
9. Mrs. Fitzgerald wrote her representative a letter about toxic waste.
10. We eat Mexican food once a week.
Exercise 2: Draw a line between the subject and the predicate. Above each word in italics, write OC for
object complement, PN for predicate nominative, or PA for predicate adjective.
That teacher considers final exams unnecessary.
1. Susan found the race a challenge.
2. Some people are realistic, and others are dreamers.
3. Air pollution remains a problem in our state.
4. The family considers Uncle Jack a character.
5. Mr. Thomas may become our new basketball coach.
6. Ed became anxious about the noises downstairs.
7. His friendliness makes Jack a popular person.
Exercise 3: Identify the underlined word in each of the sentences below as a simple subject, a verb, a direct
object, an indirect object, or a subject complement.
The old house on the hill gave Leonora chills and conjured up
images of ghosts and monsters and other unknown beings.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
simple subject
verb
direct object
indirect object
subject complement
1. Next to the china cabinet, Mrs. Jones placed a polished side table and an antique jug.
a. simple subject
b. verb
c. direct object
d. indirect object
e. subject complement
2. Despite winning the lottery last week, my cousin still seems unhappy.
a. simple subject
b. verb
c. direct object
d. indirect object
e. subject complement
3. They gave the university a large endowment for the scholarship fund.
a. simple subject
b. verb
c. direct object
d. indirect object
e. subject complement
4. After the luncheon buffet, she grew drowsy and decided to take a nap.
a. simple subject
b. verb
c. direct object
d. subject complement
e. indirect object
5. I don’t know how you can understand anything that professor says.
a. simple subject
b. verb
c. direct object
d. indirect object
e. subject complement
6. There were no credits after the movie.
a. Simple subject
b. Verb
c. Direct object
d. Indirect object
e. Subject complement
7. His deaf aunt will be going to the symphony next week.
a. Simple subject
b. Verb
c. Direct object
d. Indirect object
e. Subject complement
8. The company has been mailing George CD catalogues ever since he bought his stereo.
a. Simple subject
b. Verb
c. Direct object
d. Indirect object
e. Subject complement