Subjects and Predicates - 6th Grade Grammar
Remember!
A sentence expresses a complete thought. Every sentence has two important parts: the subject and the predicate. A sentence that does not have both a subject and predicate is incomplete. It is a sentence fragment.
Subjects
The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about.
The complete subject is all the words in the subject part.
The simple subject is the main word or words in the complete subject.
The strongest swimmers crossed the bay. (complete subject)
The strongest swimmers crossed the bay. (simple subject)
The home soccer team was on the field before the game. (complete subject)
The home soccer team was on the field before the game. (simple subject)
Loyal soccer fans filled the stands of the Emerson Eagles’ stadium. (complete subject)
Loyal soccer fans filled the stands of the Emerson Eagles’ stadium. (simple subject)
Predicates
The predicate tells what the subject does or is.
The complete predicate is all the words in the predicate.
The simple predicate is the main verb in the complete predicate.
The strongest swimmers crossed the bay. (complete predicate)
The strongest swimmers crossed the bay. (simple predicate)
James and Maria visited the Art Institute of Chicago while in the city. (complete predicate)
James and Maria visited the Art Institute of Chicago while in the city. (simple predicate)
They especially enjoyed the Impressionist paintings. (complete predicate)
They especially enjoyed the Impressionist paintings. (simple predicate)
A sentence that does not have both a subject and predicate is incomplete. It is a sentence fragment.
My mother builds a shed. (complete sentence)
the size of the shed (needs a predicate)
stores tools and supplies (needs a subject)