English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Identify the complete subject of a sentence
Identify the complete subject of a sentence
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the term 'complete subject' in their own words.
Differentiate between a simple subject and a complete subject in a given sentence.
Identify the main verb in a sentence to help locate the subject.
Accurately locate and underline the complete subject in declarative sentences.
Explain that the complete subject includes the main noun and all of its modifiers.
Construct original sentences with multi-word complete subjects.
Who is the main character in your favorite story? 🦸 Every sentence has a main character too, and today we'll learn how to find it!
We will learn how to find the 'complete subject' of a sentence. The complete subject tells us exactly WHO or WHAT the sentence is about. Mastering this skill will make your writi...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SentenceA complete thought that contains a subject and a predicate.The brave astronaut explored the new planet.
SubjectThe part of the sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about.In 'The dog barked,' the subject is 'The dog'.
PredicateThe part of the sentence that tells what the subject is or does. It always includes the verb.In 'The dog barked,' the predicate is 'barked'.
Simple SubjectThe single main word (a noun or pronoun) in the subject.In 'The three hungry bears ate porridge,' the simple subject is 'bears'.
Complete SubjectThe simple subject plus all the words that describe or modify it.In 'The three hungry bears ate porridge,' the complete subject is 'The three hungry bears�...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Verb Divider Rule
Find the main verb (the action or being word). Everything that comes before the verb is usually the complete subject.
This is the fastest way to split a sentence into its two main parts: the subject and the predicate. Use this as your first step.
The 'Who or What?' Question
After finding the verb, ask 'Who or what [verb]?' The answer to this question is the complete subject.
Use this question to confirm you have found the correct subject. It helps you make sure you have included all the describing words.
Include All the Details
The complete subject includes the simple subject and ALL the words that describe it (articles, adjectives, phrases).
Don't just stop at the main noun. Look for words like 'the,' 'a,...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Which sentence is correctly constructed with 'The mysterious old map from the dusty attic' as its complete subject?
A.We found the mysterious old map from the dusty attic.
B.The mysterious old map from the dusty attic led to a hidden treasure.
C.On the mysterious old map from the dusty attic, an 'X' marked the spot.
D.I looked at the mysterious old map from the dusty attic.
Challenging
Why is it important to identify the *complete* subject instead of just the *simple* subject?
A.Because the complete subject always contains the verb.
B.Because the simple subject is not a real word.
C.Because the complete subject is always shorter and easier to find.
D.Because the complete subject gives the full, detailed picture of who or what the sentence is about.
Challenging
The 'Who or What?' question is a reliable way to find the complete subject because it...
A.isolates the noun and all of its modifiers that are performing the verb's action.
B.separates the adjectives from the nouns.
C.always points to the first word of the sentence.
D.helps you find the predicate of the sentence.
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