Sentence Structure Lesson Plan, Sentence Parts, Subject and Predicate Exercise

Sentence Structure Lesson Plan: Here we’ll learn sentence structures, sentence parts, subject and predicate exercise. English grammar lesson plans for teaching sentence structures, parts of speech, sentence parts, objectives, etc

Sentence Parts and Sentence Structures: Subject and Predicate exercise

A group of words which expresses a complete thought has two essential parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject of a sentence is what is spoken about. The predicate of a sentence is what is said about the subject.

To test whether a group of words is a sentence or not, find the predicate first. The predicate is a verb, of course. Then ask a question by putting who or what before the predicate.

Jones shot the fleeing robber.

Shot is the predicate. Who shot? The answer is: Jones shot. The Jones is the subject of the sentence.

To make a second test, repeat to yourself the whole group of words: Jones shot the fleeing robber. Ask yourself “Does this group of words make sense standing alone?” Since the answer it that it does, you know that this group of words is a complete sentence.

You should recall at this point the difference between the complete subject and the simple (or essential) subject, and the difference between the complete predicate and the simple (or essential) predicate. You need to identify them unerringly if you are to avoid making errors in grammar Note these sentences and see if you can find the errors, which were made by reporters who could not distinguish between complete subjects and simple subjects.

The Mississippi Southern coach, as well as the players, sere elated over the victory.

A group of insurgents in a nearby country are plotting and overthrow of the government.

In the first sentence above, the complete subject is The Mississippi Southern coach, as well as the players; The simple subject is coach. Since the simple predicate must agree in number with the simple subject, the simple predicate should be was, not were.

In the second sentence, the complete subject is A group of insurgents in a nearby country. The simple subject is group, which is a collective noun, and collective nouns may be either singular or plural, depending on the meaning which is to be expressed. If the collective noun refers to the separate individuals composing the group, it is regarded as plural and takes a plural verb. If the collective noun refers to the persons as acting or thinking as a unit (in unanimity), it is regarded as singular and takes a singular verb. In the sentence you are considering, the insurgents are thought of as acting together as a unit, and the singular verb is should be used. The error was made because the prepositional phrase contains the plural noun insurgents.

Here we have Lesson plans for teaching sentence structure, including comma splices, subordinate clauses, dangling modifiers, fragments, and diagramming.