Simple Sentences

Simple sentences are independent clauses.

They contain a subject and a predicate.

(Part 6)

Rule 7: Simple sentences can have both a compound subject and a              compound predicate.      e.g: The mashed avocado, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar,             mayonnaise, and lemon-flavoured pepper should be blended                thoroughly, whipped briefly for a light consistency, and served with               warm tortillas.            (compound subject and compound predicate)

Exercise F. Identify the subject and the predicate in these simple

sentences. Circle the noun parts of the compound subject and 

underline the verb parts of the compound predicate.

1. A belted kingfisher, a robin, and a red cardinal sat on the tree branch

    for a few seconds and then flew away.

2. Did the math teacher and the history teacher look in the lunchroom and

    check in the auditorium for the missing books?

3. At the last minute, the melted marshmallows and the chocolate should be

    placed on the graham cracker, held briefly over the campfire, and eaten

    immediately.

4. Bright yellow daisies, purple coneflowers, orange and red milkweed, and

    blue forget-me-nots grew rapidly, bloomed beautifully, and reseeded

    themselves everywhere in her gravelled garden path.

5. Will Mary, George, Jean, and Frances come forward, face the audience,

    and say a few words?

6. Every so often, wild turkeys, deer, and owls can be seen or heard in the

    forest preserve over by the lake.

7. The boy’s varied interests, his unusual talents, and his wonderful ability to

    concentrate helped him succeed in his studies and made him a fascinating

    person to talk to as well.

8. Sugar and flour mix together well and give substance to the cookie dough.

9. Have the three winners of the contest and their spouses taken the

    vacation, bought the car, or asked for the cash instead?

10. The overpowering heat, the smothering humidity, and the lack of breeze

      made me very uncomfortable and forced me to stay inside the house all

      day.

 

Answer Key

Exercise F

(subject / verb)

1. kingfisher, robin, cardinal / sat and flew

2. math teacher and history teacher / look and check

3. marshmallows and chocolate / should be placed, held, and eaten

4. daisies, coneflowers, milkweed, and forget-me-nots / grew, bloomed,

   and reseeded

5. Mary, George, Jean and Frances / come, face, and say

6. turkeys, deer, and owls / can be seen and heard

7. interests, talents, and ability / helped and made

8. sugar and flour / mix and give

9. winners and spouses / have taken, bought, or asked

10. heat, humidity, lack / made and forced