Instructions: Read, study, and learn this lesson. Then do the exercise. 

When you are satisfied that you understand the lesson, take the test.

Nouns may be used many ways in writing.  However, the most important position they can hold is the subject of a sentence.

1.The simple subject, underlined, will be the noun or pronoun that tells who or what about the verb.

The [two] strangers .are looking. {through the window}.

2.The complete subject (in bold type) will be all the words together that help tell who or what about the verb.

 The two strangers are looking through the window.

 3.The simple predicate, .marked with periods., is the verb.

The two strangers .are looking. through the window.

4.The complete predicate, in plain text, is all the words that tell what the subject is or does.

The two strangers are looking through the window.

Review: Study and memorize the following statements.

1. To find the subject, find the verb first.  Then ask who or what after the verb.  The answer will be the subject.

2.The subject usually comes before the verb.

The cat .played. with the ball.

 The verb is .played.  Who or what played?  “cat”; Cat is the subject.

3.A sentence may be written so that the verb comes before the subject:

Through the doors .came. the crowd.

 The verb is .came..  Who came?  “crowd”; Crowd is the subject.

 4.Sometimes the subject and verb are separated by other words:

A box of chocolates .was placed. on the shelf.

What was placed?  “box”; Box is the subject.

 5. A sentence is sometimes a question:

Where .are. the boys .going. now?

 Who are going?  “boys”; Boys is the subject.

 6.Sometimes a sentence begins with an introductory word, there.

There .is. a place {at the table} {for you].

What is at the table?  “place”; Place is the subject.

Exercise, Lesson 2

Instructions: Read, study, and memorize the key teaching points regarding this lesson. When you can recall and discuss the information with understanding, take the test.

 Subjects and Predicates

What to learn about nouns:

1.The most important position a noun plays in a sentence is the subject.

2.The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that tells who or what about the verb.

3.The complete subject is all the words together that tell who or what about the verb.

4.The simple predicate is the verb.

5.The complete predicate is all the words that tell what the subject is or does.

6.To find the subject, find the verb first. Then ask who or what? after the verb.  The answer will be the subject.

7.The subject usually comes before the verb.

8.A sentence may be written so the verb comes before the subject.

9.A sentence is sometimes a question.

10.Sometimes the subject and verb are separated by other words.

11. Sometimes a sentence begins with an introductory word such as there or here.

Lesson 2, Test/Study Guide

Instructions: Write the sentences on a separate sheet of paper and answer all of the questions.

1.What is the most important position a noun holds in a sentence?

2.Which word or words tells who or what about the verb?

3.What does the complete predicate do?

4.What is the simple predicate?

5.Can the verb come before the subject?

6.Write two sentences where the subject comes before the verb.

7.Write two sentences that are questions.

8.Write two sentences to show how the subject and verb can be separated by other words.

9.Write two sentences that begin with the introductory words “there and however.”

Instructions: Mark the verbs and subjects in the following sentences.

1.Where .were. the men in the blue car .going.?

2.There is a puddle of water in the road.

3. The players ran onto the field.

4.Their house is on the east side of town.

5.She caught the ball and threw it to first base.

6.She taught the lessons using an overhead projector.

7.The smashed car came to rest near the riverbank.

8.Our team played its last game.

9.Walking through town is good exercise.

10.Will you please wait for us by the river?