Simple Subjects And Simple Predicates

Understanding Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates: The Foundation of Grammar

Understanding the basic building blocks of a sentence is crucial for effective communication, whether you're crafting a compelling essay, writing a professional email, or simply engaging in everyday conversation. This article will delve into the fundamental concepts of simple subjects and simple predicates, providing a clear, concise, and comprehensive explanation for learners of all levels. We'll explore their definitions, identify them in various sentence structures, and address common areas of confusion. By the end, you'll be equipped to confidently identify and understand the core components of any sentence.

What is a Simple Subject?

The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in the sentence. It's the who or what the sentence is about. It's crucial to remember that the simple subject is only the main noun or pronoun; it doesn't include any modifiers or phrases that describe it.

Let's look at some examples:

• The fluffy cat slept soundly on the windowsill. (Simple subject: cat)
• She baked a delicious apple pie. (Simple subject: She)
• My old bicycle needs a repair. (Simple subject: bicycle)
• The bright red flowers bloomed beautifully in the garden. (Simple subject: flowers)

Notice that in each example, the simple subject is a single noun or pronoun. Words like fluffy, old, bright red, and delicious are adjectives modifying the nouns; they are not part of the simple subject. Similarly, prepositional phrases like "on the windowsill" or "in the garden" are not included in the simple subject.

Identifying the Simple Subject: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sometimes, identifying the simple subject can be tricky, especially in more complex sentences. Here's a step-by-step process to help you:

1. Find the verb: Locate the action word or state-of-being verb in the sentence.

2. Ask "Who?" or "What?" before the verb: This will help you identify the performer of the action or the subject being described.

3. Eliminate modifiers: Remove any words or phrases that describe the subject. This will leave you with the simple subject.

Let's apply this to a more complex example:

• The tired, elderly woman with the bright blue scarf knitted a warm woolen sweater.

1. Verb: knitted

2. Who knitted? The tired, elderly woman with the bright blue scarf

3. Eliminate modifiers: Removing the descriptive words and phrases leaves us with woman.

Therefore, the simple subject is woman.

What is a Simple Predicate?

The simple predicate, also known as the verb or verb phrase, is the part of the sentence that expresses what the subject does or is. It's the action or state of being. Just like the simple subject, the simple predicate consists only of the main verb; it excludes any modifiers or phrases that describe the action.

Here are some examples:

• The dog barked loudly. (Simple predicate: barked)
• The sun is shining brightly. (Simple predicate: is shining)
• She will travel to Europe next summer. (Simple predicate: will travel)
• He had been sleeping for hours. (Simple predicate: had been sleeping)

Notice that the simple predicate can be a single verb or a verb phrase (a verb with helping verbs). Words or phrases that modify the verb, such as loudly or brightly, are not part of the simple predicate.

Identifying the Simple Predicate: A Step-by-Step Approach

Identifying the simple predicate is generally straightforward, but here's a step-by-step process to ensure accuracy:

1. Find the subject: Locate the simple subject of the sentence.

2. Identify the verb: Find the word or words that describe the action or state of being of the subject. This will be the verb or verb phrase.

3. Eliminate modifiers: Remove any words or phrases that describe the action. This will reveal the simple predicate.

Let's use an example:

• The playful kitten quickly chased the red ball across the room.

1. Subject: kitten

2. Verb: chased

3. Eliminate modifiers: Removing quickly and the prepositional phrase across the room leaves chased.

Therefore, the simple predicate is chased.

Compound Subjects and Predicates: Expanding the Basics

While we've focused on simple subjects and predicates, sentences can also contain compound subjects and compound predicates.

A compound subject consists of two or more simple subjects joined by a coordinating conjunction (like and, or, but) or a semicolon. For example:

• John and Mary went to the park. (Compound subject: John and Mary)
• Cats and dogs are popular pets. (Compound subject: Cats and dogs)

A compound predicate consists of two or more simple predicates that describe the same subject. For example:

• The chef cooked the meal and served it to the guests. (Compound predicate: cooked and served)
• She sang a song and danced gracefully. (Compound predicate: sang and danced)

Understanding compound subjects and predicates builds upon the foundation of simple subjects and predicates, allowing you to analyze more complex sentence structures.

Sentences with Inverted Word Order

In some sentences, the word order is inverted, meaning the subject follows the predicate. This is common in questions and sentences beginning with there or here. However, the simple subject and predicate remain identifiable.

• Is the dog barking? (Simple subject: dog; simple predicate: is barking)
• There are many stars in the sky. (Simple subject: stars; simple predicate: are)
• Here comes the parade! (Simple subject: parade; simple predicate: comes)

Even with inverted word order, you can still apply the same principles of identification by finding the verb and determining who or what performs the action.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

A common mistake is including modifiers or prepositional phrases as part of the simple subject or predicate. Remember, only the core noun/pronoun (subject) and the main verb/verb phrase (predicate) constitute the simple subject and predicate respectively.

Another point of confusion arises with linking verbs. Linking verbs like is, are, was, were, become, seem, etc., connect the subject to a predicate nominative or predicate adjective. While the linking verb is part of the simple predicate, the predicate nominative (noun or pronoun that renames the subject) or predicate adjective (adjective that describes the subject) is not part of the simple predicate.

• The flower is beautiful. (Simple predicate: is; predicate adjective: beautiful)
• He is a doctor. (Simple predicate: is; predicate nominative: doctor)

Always focus on the core action or state of being expressed by the verb to identify the simple predicate.

The Importance of Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates

Mastering the identification of simple subjects and simple predicates is foundational to understanding more complex grammatical structures. It is essential for:

• Effective Writing: Properly identifying the subject and predicate ensures clear and concise sentence construction.

• Sentence Diagramming: Understanding these elements is crucial for accurately diagramming sentences, a valuable skill in understanding sentence structure.

• Proofreading and Editing: Knowing the subject and predicate helps in identifying subject-verb agreement errors and other grammatical inconsistencies.

• Improving Reading Comprehension: Recognizing the core components of sentences enhances comprehension and allows for a deeper understanding of the text.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What if the sentence has multiple clauses? How do I identify the simple subject and predicate in each clause?

A: Treat each independent clause as a separate sentence. Identify the simple subject and predicate for each clause individually. Dependent clauses will have a subject and predicate as well, but the main subject and predicate of the sentence will be in the independent clause.

Q: Can a sentence have an implied subject?

A: Yes, in imperative sentences (commands), the subject is often implied (usually "you"). For example, in "Close the door," the implied subject is "you," and the simple predicate is "Close".

Q: What if the sentence is a fragment?

A: A sentence fragment lacks a complete subject and predicate. To correct it, add the missing elements to create a complete sentence.

Q: What role do articles play in determining the simple subject?

A: Articles (a, an, the) are considered adjectives and modify the noun, so they are not part of the simple subject.

Conclusion

Understanding simple subjects and simple predicates is a fundamental step towards mastering grammar and improving written and spoken communication. By consistently practicing identification techniques and applying the concepts outlined in this article, you will significantly enhance your grammatical skills. Remember to focus on the core elements – the main noun or pronoun performing the action, and the main verb or verb phrase expressing that action or state of being – to accurately identify these essential sentence components. With consistent practice, identifying simple subjects and simple predicates will become second nature.