Finding the subject and the predicate

Question

I have 5 sentences in which I am supposed to find the subject and the predicate, and I am having a horrible time figuring it out.

1. The economic resurgence of post war Germany and Japan demonstrates what determined nations can accomplish when freed of militarism.

2. What biologists refer to as "race" results from speciation, an evolutionary process dependent on local adaptation, cessation of gene flow, and accidents of population history.

3. A economic adversity continues to spread, austerity has become a most dangerous idea.

4. The chance that an American child lives in a family headed by a single mother is 1 in 4.

5. In 1806, when Thomas Paine walked into his New Rochelle polling station to cast his vote for the congressional election, he was turned away.

Any help that I can get will be greatly appreciated.... I have to know how to do this for an upcoming exam, and right now I feel so stupid!!!!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

mrsgallant83 I have to know how to do this for an upcoming exam

I find that the key is to locate the main verb. What is the main action?
Then ask yourself, "Who or what performs this action?"
For example, in #5, the main verb is "was turned." Who was turned? He was.
Are you supposed to find the complete subject and the complete predicate, or the simple subject and the simple predicate?

- A.

BillJ · Answer

1. The economic resurgence of post-war Germany and Japan demonstrates what determined nations can accomplish when freed of militarism.

2. What biologists refer to as "race" results from speciation, an evolutionary process dependent on local adaptation, cessation of gene flow, and accidents of population history.

3. As economic adversity continues to spread, austerity has become a most dangerous idea.

4. The chance that an American child lives in a family headed by a single mother is 1 in 4.

5. In 1806, when Thomas Paine walked into his New Rochelle polling station to cast his vote for the congressional election, he was turned away.

Subjects in blue, predicates in red. Notice that the supplementary adjuncts, the ones I've not coloured, are not part of the subjects or predicates. The underlined subordinate clause in 4. has its own a subject and predicate, but I doubt if you're required to go into that detailed an analysis.

BillJ

Mrsgallant83 · Answer

Thank you for your help. I had said that 'walked" was the verb and the subject was Thomas Paine. My instructions for this assignment were just to find the subject and the predicate. Beyond that, I have no idea. I am still struggling with this concept especially when the sentences are so long.
Any help on the other ones would be great too...I am still so so lost!!!

Mrsgallant83 · Answer

This is a great help to me!!!  In this assignment I have been asked to find the main verb within the predicate...that would be a single word correct?  Or do I have this backwards?

Avangi · Answer

The main verb is often a single word, but some tenses require auxiliary, or helping verbs.

I took the bus.
I have taken the bus many times.
I should have taken the bus yesterday.
She is having a hard time with the assignment.
etc.

In your examples, #3 and #5 have helping verbs.

Finding the subject and the predicate

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions