How to find subjects and predicates

Post date: Nov 4, 2011 3:29:14 PM

Steps to finding the subjects and predicates of sentences (note this does not work for questions and students must be comfortable with the basics before including more complex sentences)

Step 1: Find the main verb. You have now identified the simple predicate

Step 2: Draw a line in front of the verb. All words to the left of the line are the complete subject and all words to the right are the complete predicate

Step 3: Ask who or what from the complete subject is performing the verb and you have the simple subject

Example: The cat ate his hat

Step 1: ate = simple predicate

Step 2: The cat / ate his hat

Complete subject = The cat

Complete predicate = ate his hat

Step 3: Who or what ate his hat?

Simple subject = cat