Subjects and Predicates

A Grammar Lesson for Fourth Grade

Created by Teresa Wilson – Desert Palms - July 2010

Every sentence is made up of two parts.

• The subject names the person, place, or thing the sentence is about (the WHO or WHAT.)

• The predicate tells what the subject is or does (the ACTION.)

The Subject• The complete subject includes all the words that

identify the person or thing the sentence is about. My Aunt Mary has a cat.The little old man walked with a cane.

• The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun.

The boy with the blue shirt waved to me.Jack loves to play soccer.

The Predicate• The complete predicate includes

all words that tell what the subject of the sentence is or does.

Tim took three marbles from the pile.

• The simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase.

Let’s Review• Share with your shoulder partner the

difference between a complete subject and a simple subject.

• Share with your shoulder partner the difference between a complete predicate and a simple predicate.

A quick coyoteA quick coyotecaught a lizard.

A quick coyotecaught a lizard.caught a lizard.

Sentences can have more than one subject or predicate.

• A compound subject is two or more subjects with the same predicate.– The subjects are usually joined by and or or.

Stacey and her brother went to the park.

• A compound predicate is two or more predicates with the same subject.– The simple predicates in a compound

predicate are usually joined by and, but, or or.Stacey and her brother went to the park and

played frisbee.

Mechanics and Usage• If a compound subject has two

subjects, the subjects are not separated by a comma.

• If it has three or more subjects, they are separated by commas. Josh, Carrie, and Meg went fishing.

Mechanics and Usage• If a compound predicate has two

predicates, the predicates are not separated by a comma.

• If it has three or more predicates, they are separated by commas.

Tonight we will eat, read, and play games.