Grammar Unit: Simple Sentences - Subjects, Verbs, and Predicates

Today, we made a new kind of foldable named a quincunx (pronounced "kwin-chunks") for all of our grammar notes. According to our calendar, the first formative for this quarter is a grammar and writing test in a few weeks. To do well on that test, you'll have to know the following things:

• How to find the subject and the verb in a sentence.
• How to find the subject and verb in an independent clause.
• How to tell the difference between an independent and dependent clause.
• How to use a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to write a compound sentence.
• How to use a subordinating conjunction (AWUBIS) to write a compound sentence.
• How to correctly punctuate simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• How to correctly capitalize sentences.

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Practice links are posted at the end of this post!

Today, we discussed simple sentences. Simple sentences and independent clauses are the same thing. Simple sentences express one idea, containing one clause (subject + predicate).After

Let's look at some simple sentences and label these parts.

Students walk to class.

Think: What action is being done? "Walk" - that's the verb.

Who or what is doing the action? "Students" - that's the subject.

Anything other than the subject is the predicate. "Walk to class" - that's the predicate.

After class, the lunch ladies serve lunch.

Think: What action is being done? "Serve" - that's the verb.

Who or what is doing the action? "The lunch ladies" - that's the subject.

Anything other than the subject is the predicate. "after class / serve lunch" - that's the predicate.

Prepositional phrases cannot be part of the subject or verb. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the subject and verb are because you have so much extra stuff in the sentence. Eliminating prepositional phrases can help you see where the subject and verb are.

Let's look at a few examples with prepositional phrases:

The dog's owner searched for her through the night and into the next day.

The dog's owner searched for her through the night and into the next day.

For her, through the night, and into the next day are all prepositional phrases. Once you cross them out, it's easier to see where the subject and verb are.

Think: What action is being done? "searched" - that's the verb.

Who or what is doing the action? "The dog's owner" - that's the subject.

Anything other than the subject is the predicate. "searched for her through the night and into the next day" - that's the predicate.

Need more help understanding prepositions and how they work? This is my favorite grammar website. Check it out. They explain things and give lots of examples to illustrate what they mean. 

Khan Academy is my favorite grammar practice website. Check it out! That link right there will take you to an interactive preposition practice page.

Here is a Khan Academy video which explains subjects, predicates, and other basic grammar information: