SUBJECTS:

Complete, Simple, &

Compound
Mrs. Daviss 5th Grade
Language Arts Classes

SUBJECTS

The subject of a sentence tells WHO

or WHAT the sentence is about.

The subject is usually found at the

beginning of the sentence.

SUBJECTS

Jennifer is my friend.

WHO

is the sentence about?

JENNIFER!

SUBJECTS

That book was long.

WHAT

is the sentence about?

THAT BOOK!

COMPLETE
SUBJECTS
The
complete subject includes ALL of
the words that tell who or what the
sentence is about.

The complete subject starts at the

beginning of the sentence and ends just
before the verb (predicate).

So, you can easily find the subject by

finding the verb first! Everything in
front of the verb is the complete
subject!

COMPLETE SUBJECTS
(Notice the verbs in blue!)

My little sisters teacher

assigns a lot of homework.
The early morning dew
sparkled on the grass.
I left my lunch in Dads truck this
morning.
An NFL quarterback will visit
our school next week.

COMPLETE SUBJECTS
R E V I E W
What is the complete subject?
1. All of the students in my class were late.
WHO was late?
All of the students in my class
2. We rode an exciting new ride at the fair.
WHO rode an exciting new ride?
We
3. Ten book pages are missing.
WHAT are missing?
Ten book pages

SIMPLE SUBJECTS

The simple subject includes the

single word (noun or pronoun) that
tells who or what the sentence is
about.

The simple subject can ALWAYS be

found within the complete subject.

SIMPLE SUBJECTS

My little sisters teacher assigns a

lot of homework. (Who assigns?)
The early morning dew sparkled on
the grass. (What sparkled?)
I left my lunch in Dads truck this
morning. (Who left it?)
An NFL quarterback will visit our
school next week. (Who will visit?)

SIMPLE SUBJECTS
R E V I E W
What is the simple subject?
1. All of the students in my class were late.
WHO was late?
students
2. We rode an exciting new ride at the fair.
WHO rode an exciting new ride?
We
3. Ten book pages are missing.
WHAT are missing?
pages

COMPOUND
SUBJECTS

A compound subject includes two

or more simple subjects (nouns or
pronouns) that tell who or what the
sentence is about.

Compound subjects are usually

joined by and / or.

COMPOUND
SUBJECTS

My new kitten and its mother

followed Mom around the house.
California, Colorado, and
Connecticut are the only states that
begin with a C.
Either Steve or Sheila will have to
take out the garbage.
Jan or Jim can bring salad, dessert,
or drinks.

COMPOUND SUBJECTS
R E V I E W
What are the compound subjects?
1. Pizza and hot dogs are on the menu.
WHAT are on the menu?
pizza, hot dogs
2. Teachers and principals are in short supply.
WHAT are in short supply?
teachers, principals
3. Fighting or cheating can get you suspended.
WHAT can get you suspended?
fighting, cheating

POP QUIZ
Write the complete subject in each sentence,
and circle the simple subject.
1.
2.
3.
4.

My brothers football team won their game.

Pepperoni pizza is my favorite food.
Dogs make great pets.
The quick and timid ponies scattered.

Now, rewrite all of the sentences above, giving

each
a compound subject.

POP QUIZ ANSWERS

Write the complete subject in each sentence,
and circle the simple subject.
1.
2.
3.
4.

My brothers football team

Pepperoni pizza
Dogs
The quick and timid ponies

Now, rewrite all of the sentences above, giving

each
a compound subject. Volunteers?