Simple Sentences worksheet for identifying subjects and predicates.

Let's solve the task step by step.

Understanding the Task

We are asked to:
- Circle the subject of each sentence.
- Underline the predicate of each sentence.

A simple sentence has one independent clause, meaning it has:
- One subject (who or what the sentence is about)
- One predicate (what the subject is doing or being)

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Step-by-Step Solutions

#### 1) I like reading bedtime stories before sleeping.
- Subject: *I*
(The person doing the action)
- Predicate: *like reading bedtime stories before sleeping*
(What the subject is doing)

✔ Answer:
Circle: I
Underline: like reading bedtime stories before sleeping

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#### 2) Martha and Penny have been very busy with the new project.
- Subject: *Martha and Penny*
(Two people, plural subject)
- Predicate: *have been very busy with the new project*
(Describes their state)

✔ Answer:
Circle: Martha and Penny
Underline: have been very busy with the new project

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#### 3) These are the seven colors of a rainbow.
- Subject: *These*
(Refers to the colors)
- Predicate: *are the seven colors of a rainbow*
(Describes what "these" are)

✔ Answer:
Circle: These
Underline: are the seven colors of a rainbow

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#### 4) She stacked the books on the shelf.
- Subject: *She*
(The person performing the action)
- Predicate: *stacked the books on the shelf*
(What she did)

✔ Answer:
Circle: She
Underline: stacked the books on the shelf

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#### 5) Nathan will pick up the laundered clothes later.
- Subject: *Nathan*
(Who is doing the action)
- Predicate: *will pick up the laundered clothes later*
(Future action)

✔ Answer:
Circle: Nathan
Underline: will pick up the laundered clothes later

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#### 6) Someone is trying to break in.
- Subject: *Someone*
(An unknown person)
- Predicate: *is trying to break in*
(Action being performed)

✔ Answer:
Circle: Someone
Underline: is trying to break in

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#### 7) Ava and Lindsey are playing with numbers.
- Subject: *Ava and Lindsey*
(Two people together)
- Predicate: *are playing with numbers*
(What they are doing)

✔ Answer:
Circle: Ava and Lindsey
Underline: are playing with numbers

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#### 8) Justin and his parents will be in Japan for the weekend.
- Subject: *Justin and his parents*
(Compound subject)
- Predicate: *will be in Japan for the weekend*
(Future location/state)

✔ Answer:
Circle: Justin and his parents
Underline: will be in Japan for the weekend

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#### 9) Were the children excited about watching the dolphin show?
- Subject: *the children*
(Who is being asked about)
- Predicate: *Were excited about watching the dolphin show?*
(Note: In questions, the verb comes first, but the predicate still includes the entire verb phrase and complement.)

✔ Answer:
Circle: the children
Underline: Were excited about watching the dolphin show?

> 💡 Tip: Even though "Were" comes first in the question, it's part of the predicate. The full predicate includes the verb and everything that follows.

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#### 10) The teacher wants us to hand in our homework tomorrow.
- Subject: *The teacher*
(Who is doing the wanting)
- Predicate: *wants us to hand in our homework tomorrow*
(What the teacher wants)

✔ Answer:
Circle: The teacher
Underline: wants us to hand in our homework tomorrow

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✔ Final Summary:

| Sentence | Subject | Predicate |
|--------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | I | like reading bedtime stories before sleeping |
| 2 | Martha and Penny | have been very busy with the new project |
| 3 | These | are the seven colors of a rainbow |
| 4 | She | stacked the books on the shelf |
| 5 | Nathan | will pick up the laundered clothes later |
| 6 | Someone | is trying to break in |
| 7 | Ava and Lindsey | are playing with numbers |
| 8 | Justin and his parents | will be in Japan for the weekend |
| 9 | the children | Were excited about watching the dolphin show? |
| 10 | The teacher | wants us to hand in our homework tomorrow |

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🔍 Key Tips:

- The subject is usually the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described.
- The predicate includes the verb and all other words that tell what the subject does or is.
- In questions, the subject may come after the verb, but you still identify it based on who/what the sentence is about.

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable worksheet!