The Compound Subject


Every verb in a sentence must have at least one subject. But that doesn't mean that a verb can have only one subject. Some verbs are greedy as far as subjects go. A greedy verb can have two, three, four, or more subjects all to itself. When a verb has two or more subjects, you can say that the verb has a compound subject. Check out the following examples:

At the local Dairy Queen, Marsha gasped at the sight of pickle slices on her banana split.

Marsha = subject; gasped = verb.

At the local Dairy Queen, Jenny and Marsha gasped at the sight of pickle slices on their banana splits.


Jenny, Marsha = compound subject; gasped = verb


At the local Dairy Queen, Officer Jenkins, Mrs. Lowery, the Williams twins, Harold, Billy Jo, Jenny, and Marsha gasped at the sight of pickle slices on their banana splits


Officer Jenkins, Mrs. Lowery, the Williams twins, Harold, Billy Jo, Jenny, Marsha = compound subject; gasped = verb

 

Complete and Simple Subjects and Predicates


The simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

The complete subject consists of all the words that tell whom or what a sentence is about.


SIMPLE SUBJECT: The study of small insects is a hobby of mine.


COMPLETE SUBJECT: The study of small insects is a hobby of mine.


The simple predicate, or verb, is the main word or word group that tells something about

the subject.

The complete predicate consists of a verb and all the words that modify the verb and complete

its meaning.


SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB): Many people will listen with interest to facts about bugs.


COMPLETE PREDICATE: Many people will listen with interest to facts about bugs.