Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 1: The Parts of a Sentence: Subject and Predicate, Kinds of Sentences

Lesson 2: The Subject

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn to identify the subject of a sentence, including complete subjects, simple subjects, and compound subjects. The lesson explains that the simple subject is the main word in the complete subject and is never found after a preposition. Students practice locating subjects in varied sentence structures through three sets of exercises.

Section 1

The Subject

Definition

A subject tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Explanation

Think of the subject as the star of the sentence! It's the person, place, thing, or idea that the rest of the sentence is talking about. This star can sometimes be sneaky and appear at the beginning, in the middle, or even at the very end of a sentence. To find it, always ask yourself: 'Who or what is this sentence about?'

Examples

  • Dr. Evans works at the city hospital. [The sentence tells something about Dr. Evans.]
  • From the tree fell a big, yellow leaf. [The sentence tells something about a big, yellow leaf.]
  • Did all the students finish the test? [The sentence tells something about all the students.]

Section 2

The Simple Subject

Definition

The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Explanation

The complete subject includes all its descriptive words, but the simple subject is the one main noun or pronoun at its core. It's the most important word! Here's a great trick: the simple subject will never be inside a prepositional phrase (like 'of the kittens' or 'with the red stripes'). Mentally cross out those phrases to find the real subject!

Examples

  • The tall boy in the blue jacket won the race. [The sentence is about the complete subject, The tall boy in the blue jacket. The main word is boy, so that's the simple subject.]
  • One of my friends is moving to a new city. [The simple subject is One. The word 'friends' is part of the prepositional phrase 'of my friends', so it cannot be the subject.]

Section 3

The Compound Subject

Definition

A compound subject consists of two or more connected subjects that have the same verb.

Explanation

Think of a compound subject as a team of subjects! Instead of just one subject doing the action, you have two or more subjects joined by a connecting word like 'and' or 'or'. This whole team shares the very same verb. It's like having two main characters in the same scene, doing the same thing!

Examples

  • Maria and her brother walked to the park. [Both Maria and her brother are subjects of the verb walked.]
  • Pizza and tacos are my favorite foods for dinner. [Both Pizza and tacos are subjects of the verb are.]
  • A carton of milk and a loaf of bread sat on the counter. [Both carton and bread are subjects of the verb sat.]

Book overview

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Chapter 1: The Parts of a Sentence: Subject and Predicate, Kinds of Sentences

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Sentence or Sentence Fragment?

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: The Subject

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: The Predicate

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Classifying Sentences by Purpose

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

The Subject

Definition

A subject tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Explanation

Think of the subject as the star of the sentence! It's the person, place, thing, or idea that the rest of the sentence is talking about. This star can sometimes be sneaky and appear at the beginning, in the middle, or even at the very end of a sentence. To find it, always ask yourself: 'Who or what is this sentence about?'

Examples

  • Dr. Evans works at the city hospital. [The sentence tells something about Dr. Evans.]
  • From the tree fell a big, yellow leaf. [The sentence tells something about a big, yellow leaf.]
  • Did all the students finish the test? [The sentence tells something about all the students.]

Section 2

The Simple Subject

Definition

The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Explanation

The complete subject includes all its descriptive words, but the simple subject is the one main noun or pronoun at its core. It's the most important word! Here's a great trick: the simple subject will never be inside a prepositional phrase (like 'of the kittens' or 'with the red stripes'). Mentally cross out those phrases to find the real subject!

Examples

  • The tall boy in the blue jacket won the race. [The sentence is about the complete subject, The tall boy in the blue jacket. The main word is boy, so that's the simple subject.]
  • One of my friends is moving to a new city. [The simple subject is One. The word 'friends' is part of the prepositional phrase 'of my friends', so it cannot be the subject.]

Section 3

The Compound Subject

Definition

A compound subject consists of two or more connected subjects that have the same verb.

Explanation

Think of a compound subject as a team of subjects! Instead of just one subject doing the action, you have two or more subjects joined by a connecting word like 'and' or 'or'. This whole team shares the very same verb. It's like having two main characters in the same scene, doing the same thing!

Examples

  • Maria and her brother walked to the park. [Both Maria and her brother are subjects of the verb walked.]
  • Pizza and tacos are my favorite foods for dinner. [Both Pizza and tacos are subjects of the verb are.]
  • A carton of milk and a loaf of bread sat on the counter. [Both carton and bread are subjects of the verb sat.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 1: The Parts of a Sentence: Subject and Predicate, Kinds of Sentences

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Sentence or Sentence Fragment?

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: The Subject

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: The Predicate

    LearnPractice
  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Classifying Sentences by Purpose

    LearnPractice