Name
Date
“The Eternal Frontier” by Louis L’Amour
“All Together Now” by Barbara Jordan
Integrated Language Skills: Grammar
Subjects and Predicates
Every sentence has two parts: the subject and the predicate. The subject describes
whom or what the sentence is about. The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that
states exactly whom or what the sentence is about. The complete subject includes the
simple subject and all of its modifiers.
The predicate is a verb that tells what the subject does, what is done to the subject,
or what the condition of the subject is. The simple predicate is the verb or verb phrase
that tells what the subject of the sentence does or is. It includes the simple predicate
and any modifiers or complements.
In the following example, the simple subject and the simple predicate are in bold type.
The complete subject is underlined once, and the complete predicate is underlined twice.
Louis L’Amour, a writer of novels about the American West, has written a persuasive essay
about the importance of space exploration.
A. PRACTICE: In each sentence, underline the simple subject once and the simple
predicate twice.
1. Louis L’Amour writes about the importance of space travel.
2. In L’Amour’s view, outer space is the next frontier.
3. All of humankind longs for exploration and discovery.
4. According to Barbara Jordan, we can win the fight against prejudice.
5. Little children do not hate other people.
6. People learn to hate from parents and teachers.
B. WRITING APPLICATION: In a paragraph of at least four sentences, describe a place you
would like to explore. Underline each simple subject once and each simple predicate
twice.
Unit 3 Resources: Types of Nonfiction
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154
Name
Date
“The Real Story of a Cowboy’s Life” by Geoffrey C. Ward
“Rattlesnake Hunt” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Integrated Language Skills: Grammar
Compound Subjects and Predicates
A compound subject contains two or more subjects that share the same verb. A
compound predicate contains two or more verbs that share the same subject. Both
compound subjects and compound predicates are joined by conjunctions such as and,
or, but, and nor.
Compound subject:
Discipline and planning were essential to the success of a cattle
drive.
Compound predicate:
“The snake did not coil, but lifted its head and whirred its rattles
lightly.”
A. PRACTICE: In these sentences, underline the compound subjects once and the
compound predicates twice.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
On trail rides, cowboys keep the herd together and guide them along the trail.
Trail bosses and cowboys work together to keep the cattle safe.
Sometimes bosses pay homesteaders or face their anger.
Most trail bosses forbid gambling and punish cowboys for drinking.
Rattlesnakes warn intruders but strike quickly.
Snakes and other reptiles are cold-blooded.
Sun and warm temperatures bring snakes out of hiding.
Snake catchers must move carefully or suffer the consequences.
B. Writing Application: Imagine that you are describing an attempt at catching a
rattlesnake. Follow these instructions.
1. Write a sentence with a compound predicate; use walked and searched.
2. Write a sentence with a compound subject; use insects and snakes.
3. Write a sentence with a compound predicate; use hissed and rattled.
4. Write a sentence with a compound predicate; use found and caught.
Unit 3 Resources: Types of Nonfiction
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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