The Sentence BaseThe Sentence Base

2. Subjects & Predicates2. Subjects & Predicates

SubjectSubject

• Names the person, place, thing, or idea the sentence is about.

• Names the person, place, thing, or idea the sentence is about.

PredicatePredicate

• Tells something about the subject.

• Tells something about the subject.

• To express a complete thought, a sentence must have both a subject and a predicate.

• To express a complete thought, a sentence must have both a subject and a predicate.

Subject Predicate

Edouard Manet Is often identified as the first modern painter.

Goa, a state in southern India,

Was a Portuguese possession until 1962.

The space shuttle Endeavour

Was named for Captain James Cook’s first ship.

His concept of justice

Is based on his study of human nature.

Complete & Simple Subjects

Complete & Simple Subjects

Complete subject: the group of words that names the person, place, thing, or idea the sentence is about.

(To find the subject, ask yourself Whom? or What? the sentence is about)

Complete subject: the group of words that names the person, place, thing, or idea the sentence is about.

(To find the subject, ask yourself Whom? or What? the sentence is about)

ExampleExample

Many historically significant paintings are displayed in the downtown gallery.

Many historically significant paintings are displayed in the downtown gallery.

ExampleExample

Many historically significant paintings are displayed in the downtown gallery.

Many historically significant paintings are displayed in the downtown gallery.

ExampleExample

Noted art historian and sculptor Althea Winston has become the gallery’s new owner.

Noted art historian and sculptor Althea Winston has become the gallery’s new owner.

ExampleExample

Noted art historian and sculptor Althea Winston has become the gallery’s new owner.

Noted art historian and sculptor Althea Winston has become the gallery’s new owner.

Simple Subject: the main word within the complete subject.

**The simple subject is NEVER part of the prepositional phrase**

Simple Subject: the main word within the complete subject.

**The simple subject is NEVER part of the prepositional phrase**

Complete & Simple Predicates

Complete & Simple Predicates

Complete Predicate: a group of words that tells something about the subject

**Every sentence needs a predicate**

Complete Predicate: a group of words that tells something about the subject

**Every sentence needs a predicate**

To find the predicateTo find the predicate

• Ask yourself:

• What is the subject doing?

• What is being said about the subject?

• Ask yourself:

• What is the subject doing?

• What is being said about the subject?

ExampleExample

Mozart composed several operas, as well as chamber music and a number of symphonies

Mozart composed several operas, as well as chamber music and a number of symphonies

ExampleExample

Mozart composed several operas, as well as chamber music and a number of symphonies

Mozart composed several operas, as well as chamber music and a number of symphonies

ExampleExample

His music is almost universally admired.

His music is almost universally admired.

ExampleExample

His music is almost universally admired.

His music is almost universally admired.

Simple PredicateSimple Predicate

Simple Predicate: the main word or phrase, or the verb.

Simple Predicate: the main word or phrase, or the verb.

ExampleExample

Beethoven conducted the first performance of his Ninth Symphony.

Beethoven conducted the first performance of his Ninth Symphony.

ExampleExample

Beethoven conducted the first performance of his Ninth Symphony.

Beethoven conducted the first performance of his Ninth Symphony.

ExampleExample

He was completely deaf at the same time of the performances.

He was completely deaf at the same time of the performances.

ExampleExample

He was completely deaf at the same time of the performances.

He was completely deaf at the same time of the performances.

Compound Subjects & Verbs

Compound Subjects & Verbs

• Compound Subject: two or more subjects in one sentence that have the same verb and are joined by a conjunction.

• Compound Subject: two or more subjects in one sentence that have the same verb and are joined by a conjunction.

ExampleExample

Jupiter or Mars is often visible at night in this hemisphere.

Jupiter or Mars is often visible at night in this hemisphere.

ExampleExample

Jupiter or Mars is often visible at night in this hemisphere.

Jupiter or Mars is often visible at night in this hemisphere.

ExampleExample

Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus have more than five moons each.

Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus have more than five moons each.

ExampleExample

Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus have more than five moons each.

Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus have more than five moons each.

Compound VerbCompound Verb

• Compound Verb: two or more verbs in one sentence that have the same subject and are joined by a conjunction.

• Compound Verb: two or more verbs in one sentence that have the same subject and are joined by a conjunction.

ExampleExample

Satellites circle the earth and send information to receivers around the globe.

Satellites circle the earth and send information to receivers around the globe.

ExampleExample

Satellites circle the earth and send information to receivers around the globe.

Satellites circle the earth and send information to receivers around the globe.

ExampleExample

Meteorologists collect data from satellites, analyze radar reports, and then predict the weather.

Meteorologists collect data from satellites, analyze radar reports, and then predict the weather.

ExampleExample

Meteorologists collect data from satellites, analyze radar reports, and then predict the weather.

Meteorologists collect data from satellites, analyze radar reports, and then predict the weather.

Compound Subject & Verb Example

Compound Subject & Verb Example

Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and other phenomena can cause damage and take lives.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and other phenomena can cause damage and take lives.

Compound Subject & Verb Example

Compound Subject & Verb Example

Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and other phenomena can cause damage and take lives.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and other phenomena can cause damage and take lives.