English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence
Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence
What you'll learn
- Identify fragments and run-on sentences in complex texts with 80% accuracy.
- Apply knowledge of punctuation rules (commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and periods) to correct 3 out of 4 identified fragments and run-on sentences in a provided passage.
- Explain the grammatical function of different punctuation marks (commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and periods) in connecting or separating independent and dependent clauses with clear and accurate explanations.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different punctuation choices in achieving clarity and concision in sentence structure by comparing and contrasting at least 2 different revisions of a run-on or fragment.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define simple subject and simple predicate.
Differentiate between a complete subject and a simple subject.
Differentiate between a complete predicate and a simple predicate.
Identify the simple subject in a variety of sentences.
Identify the simple predicate (the verb) in a variety of sentences.
Construct sentences with a clear simple subject and simple predicate.
Have you ever thought of a sentence as a team with two star players? 🦸♀️➡️💥 One player is the 'who' or 'what,' and the other is the 'action'!
In this lesson, we will learn how to find those two star players: the simple subject and the simple predicate. Mastering this skill is like getting a backstage pass to understanding how sentences work, which will make your...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SentenceA complete thought that has a subject (who or what) and a predicate (what the subject does or is).The astronauts explored the moon.
Complete SubjectThe simple subject plus all the words that describe it.In the sentence 'The fluffy gray cat slept,' the complete subject is 'The fluffy gray cat'.
Simple SubjectThe main noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. It's the 'who' or 'what' doing the action.In the sentence 'The fluffy gray cat slept,' the simple subject is 'cat'.
Complete PredicateThe verb plus all the words that describe what the subject is doing.In the sentence 'The fluffy gray cat slept on the warm rug,' the complete predicate is 'slept on the warm rug'.
Simple P...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Who or What?' Question
To find the simple subject, first find the verb, then ask 'Who or what [verb]?'
This is the most reliable way to find the main noun or pronoun that is performing the action in the sentence. The answer to your question is the simple subject.
The Verb is the Core
The simple predicate is always the main verb or verb phrase.
Look for the action word (jumped, thinks, writes) or a state of being word (is, are, was, were). This word is the simple predicate. It doesn't include adverbs or other describing words.
Ignore the Prepositional Phrase
The subject of a sentence is never inside a prepositional phrase (like 'in the box', 'on the table', 'with my friends').
If you see a phrase starting wit...
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Challenging
Which of the following sentences correctly uses 'team' as the simple subject and 'practiced' as the simple predicate?
A.The team's coach practiced with the players.
B.Practiced hard, the team was ready for the game.
C.The practice for the team was long.
D.After the meeting, the whole team practiced for hours.
Challenging
A student incorrectly identifies 'friends' as the simple subject in the sentence: 'One of my best friends is moving away.' What rule did the student most likely forget?
A.The simple predicate is always a verb.
B.The subject of a sentence is never in a prepositional phrase.
C.The simple subject is always a noun or pronoun.
D.The 'Who or What?' question must be used to find the subject.
Challenging
What is the simple subject of the following command: Please walk the dog after school.
A.dog
B.school
C.You (understood)
D.There is no subject.
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What grade level is "Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence"?
Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence is a Grade 5 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence?
You'll be able to: Identify fragments and run-on sentences in complex texts with 80% accuracy; Apply knowledge of punctuation rules (commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and periods) to correct 3 out of 4 identified fragments and run-on sentences….
Is "Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Identify the simple subject or predicate of a sentence?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.