Writing

Complete and Simple Subjects

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Complete and Simple Subjects
Complete Subjects and Predicates

A sentence has two parts: the subject and the predicate.
Complete and Simple Subjects
Simple Subject - The simple subject is the primary word or words that name the person, place, thing, or idea that is being discussed in the sentence.

Complete Subject - The complete subject is the simple subject plus any words that modify the simple subject.

The school's new principal is very strict.
In this sentence, the word "principal" is the simple subject. The phrase "The school's new principal" is the complete subject.
Complete and Simple Subjects
Finding the Subject

1. The simple subject is never found in a prepositional phrase.

One of the boys broke the vase.
The subject is "one," not "boys. "Boys" is part of the prepositional phrase "of the boys."
2. Invert the word order of a question before looking for the subject.

Where is the money? The money is where?
The subject is "money."

3. "There" and "here" are never subjects in a sentence.

Here is the key for the car.
The subject is "key."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
of
Danny's
favorite
Question 1 of 10
The word "there" is never the subject of a sentence. Try again.
The word "is" is the simple predicate. Try again.
The simple subject is "one." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Sweaters"is part of the prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never found in a prepositional phrase. Try again.
The complete subject is "one of Danny's favorite sweaters."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
The
new
on
the
is
painted
Question 2 of 10
"Front" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
The simple subject is "door." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"House" is part of a prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never part of a prepositional phrase. Try again.
"Blue" is an adjective and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
The complete subject is "The new front door on the house."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
of
the
prepared
were
rather
Question 3 of 10
The simple subject is "All." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Meals" is part of a prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never in a prepositional phrase. Try again.
"Sandy" is part of a prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never part of a prepositional phrase. Try again.
The word "spicy" is an adjective and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
The complete subject is "All of the meals Sandy prepared."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
The
of
delighted the class.
Question 4 of 10
"Colorful" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
The simple subject is "photographs." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Mexico" is part of a prepositional phrase. Simple subjects are never part of a prepositional phrase. Try again.
The word "delighted" is the simple predicate. Try again.
The complete subject is "The colorful photographs of Mexico."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
The
features
vegetarian
Question 5 of 10
"Restaurant's" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
The simple subject is "menu." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Several" is an adjective and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
"Dishes" is a noun and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
The complete subject is "The restaurant's menu."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
The
and
are
different
from
other.
Question 6 of 10
"Scottish" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
"English" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
The simple subject is "accents." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Each" is part of a prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never part of a prepositional phrase. Try again.
The complete subject is "The Scottish and English accents."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
In
the
of
the
city
was
a
Question 7 of 10
"Middle" is part of a prepositional phrase and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
"Square" is part of a prepositional phrase and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
"Spectacular" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
The simple subject is "fountain." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
The complete subject is "a spectacular fountain."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
large
on
sandy
dangerous.
Question 8 of 10
The simple subject is "building." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Structures" is part of the complete subject. Try again.
"Soil" is part of a prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never found in a prepositional phrase. Try again.
The word "is" is the simple predicate. Try again.
The complete subject is "Building large structures on sandy soil."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
The
of
our
a
disappointment
for
all.
Question 9 of 10
The simple subject is "defeat." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
"Team" is part of a prepositional phrase. The simple subject is never found in a prepositional phrase. Try again.
"Was" is the simple predicate. Try again.
"Us" is a pronoun and part of the complete predicate. Try again.
The complete subject is "The defeat of our team."
Complete and Simple Subjects
The simple subject is the primary word or words in the complete subject.
Click on the simple subject.
is
new
Question 10 of 10
The word "where" is never the simple subject. Try again.
"Julie's" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
"Ski" is an adjective. An adjective cannot be the simple subject. Try again.
The simple subject is "suit." It is the primary word in the complete subject.
To find the subject of the question, invert the word order: "Julie's new ski suit is where?"
Complete and Simple Subjects