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English Grammar Refresher
First Edition, Volume I: August 2006
LESSON #6
The goal of this activity is to Identify simple and complex subjects in the following sentences.
Read each sentence carefully consider the role that the subject plays in the sentence.
Use the table below each sentence to check your response.
Example: Henry’s last paper will definitely please his teacher.
| Complex Subject | Simple Subject |
|---|---|
1. After looking at the choices at the chow hall, we ordered a pizza from Domino’s.
| Complex Subject | Simple Subject |
|---|---|
2. You forgot your wedding anniversary again.
| Complex Subject | Simple Subject |
|---|---|
3. [Any man who sheds his blood with me today] will forever be my brother.
| Complex Subject | Simple Subject |
|---|---|
In the followig sentences the complex subject is identified by brackets. Identify the simple subject.
4. On the couch lies [a really fat cat].
| Simple Subject |
|---|
5. Surely, [you] must be kidding!
| Simple Subject |
|---|
6. Until now, [I] thought that you were in charge.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
7. [Bob and she]quickly noticed that Joe hasn’t a clue.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
8. [A well-known collector] bought the painting.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
9. [The squirrel] hid the nut in the hollow tree.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
10. [The purpose of this exercise] is identifying the subject and the verb.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
11. [All of our students] will take a thought-provoking test at the end of class.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
12. Can [you] mail me a post card from Iceland?
| Simple Subject |
|---|
13. Before we start this meeting, [you] let us clear the room of listening devices.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
14. [I] have three trees in my backyard.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
15. [The old Spanish woman] told her story to the children.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
16. [My opinion] is that it is unnecessary for him to continue in this course at this time.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
17. [One of the politicians] deftly evaded the questions of the merciless reporters.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
18. [The mechanics] identified the problem with my car.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
19. [The war and its aftermath] produced many casualties.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
20. Say your prayers before going to bed.
| Simple Subject |
|---|
The goal of this activity is to Identify the verb and complex predicate in the following sentences.
Read each sentence carefully consider the role that the verb plays in the sentence.
Identify the verb in the complete predicate in the following sentences.
Note: The complex subject is bracketed and the complete predicate is identified in red.
Use the table below each sentence to check your response.
21. [He who laughs last] didn’t understand the joke.
| Complete Verb |
|---|
22. Stop, in the name of love, before you break my heart! [You] understood
| Complete Verb |
|---|
23. [One reason to be more cautious while traveling alone] is an increase in the crime rate.
| Complete Verb |
|---|
24. [My girlfriend] turned down the engagement ring and demanded a larger one.
| Complete Verb |
|---|
25. Under the professional exterior of the DLI classroom lurk [all the subtle dynamics of a kindergarten recess].
| Complete Verb |
|---|
26. [Grammar] is the root of all syntactic evil.
| Complete Verb |
|---|
27. Please return your seatbacks to the upright position. [You] understood
| Complete Verb |
|---|
28. Next Saturday afternoon, [several of my friends and I] are going for afternoon tea at the King George Hotel.
| Complete Verb |
|---|