Identify the simple subject or simple predicate of a sentence

Key Notes:

1. What is a Simple Subject?

  • The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in the sentence that tells what or who the sentence is about.
  • It is the person, place, thing, or idea performing the action or being described.
  • Example:
    • “The dog ran fast.”
    • The simple subject is “dog” because it is what the sentence is about.

2. What is a Simple Predicate?

  • The simple predicate is the main verb or action in the sentence that tells what the subject does or is.
  • It does not include any additional words like helping verbs, modifiers, or objects.
  • Example:
    • “The dog ran fast.”
    • The simple predicate is “ran” because it shows what the subject is doing.

3. Identifying the Simple Subject and Simple Predicate:

  • Step 1: Identify the action or verb in the sentence — this is usually the simple predicate.
  • Step 2: Find who or what is performing that action — this is the simple subject.

Example 1:

  • “The teacher explains the lesson.”
    • Simple Subject: “teacher”
    • Simple Predicate: “explains”

Example 2:

  • “John plays the guitar.”
    • Simple Subject: “John”
    • Simple Predicate: “plays”

4. Tips for Identifying Simple Subject and Simple Predicate:

  • The simple subject is usually a noun or pronoun.
  • The simple predicate is a verb or action word.
  • The simple subject and predicate do not include extra words (articles, adjectives, adverbs, etc.).

5. Examples for Practice:

  1. “The boy kicked the ball.”
    • Simple Subject: “boy”
    • Simple Predicate: “kicked”
  2. “My friends are playing soccer.”
    • Simple Subject: “friends”
    • Simple Predicate: “are playing”
  3. “She sings beautifully.”
    • Simple Subject: “She”
    • Simple Predicate: “sings”

6. Understanding Compound Subjects and Predicates:

  • Compound Subject: A subject that includes two or more nouns joined by “and” or “or.”
    • Example: “Tom and Jerry play together.”
    • Simple Subject: “Tom and Jerry”
    • Simple Predicate: “play”
  • Compound Predicate: A predicate with two or more verbs joined by “and” or “or.”
    • Example: “She sings and dances.”
    • Simple Subject: “She”
    • Simple Predicate: “sings and dances”

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