Simple, Compound, and Complete Subjects

What is the simple subject of a sentence?

• The main noun or pronoun that the sentence is about.

• All the words that come before the verb.

• The action word in the sentence.

• Two or more subjects joined by 'and' or 'or'.

Answer explanation

The simple subject is the single main word (a noun or pronoun) that is doing the action or being described. The other options describe the complete subject, the verb, or a compound subject.

In the sentence "The fast runner won the race," which word is the simple subject?

• runner

• The

• fast

• race

Answer explanation

The simple subject is the main noun doing the action. 'Runner' is who won the race. 'The' and 'fast' are modifiers that describe the runner.

What is the complete subject in this sentence: "The box of old comic books sat in the attic."?

• The box of old comic books

• The box

• box of old comic books

• old comic books

Answer explanation

The complete subject includes the simple subject ('box') and all the words that describe it ('The,' 'of old comic books'). The verb is 'sat.'

Which sentence below contains a compound subject?

• My brother and his best friend are building a fort.

• My brother is building a fort and painting it green.

• The fort is big and has a secret door.

• My brother built the fort for his best friend.

Answer explanation

This sentence has two subjects, 'brother' and 'friend,' joined by 'and' that share the same verb 'are building.' Option B has a compound predicate, not a compound subject.

Complete the sentence with the words that form a compound subject: "For our project, ___________ researched the planet Mars."

• Sarah and I

• the students

• my smart friend

• the science book

Answer explanation

A compound subject needs two or more subjects joined by a conjunction. 'Sarah and I' are two subjects joined by 'and.' The other options are all simple subjects.

In the sentence, "My dog, a fluffy golden retriever, loves to play fetch," what is the simple subject?

• dog

• My dog

• a fluffy golden retriever

• My dog, a fluffy golden retriever

Answer explanation

The simple subject is 'dog.' The phrase 'a fluffy golden retriever' is an appositive, which renames the subject but isn't the simple subject itself.

In a question, the subject can be tricky to find. What is the simple subject in this question: "After the game, did your team go out for pizza?"

• team

• game

• you

• pizza

Answer explanation

To find the subject, rephrase the question as a statement: 'Your team did go out for pizza after the game.' In this order, it's clear that 'team' is the subject.

Complete the sentence with the verb that agrees with the compound subject: "The lead singer and the guitarist _________ a lot of energy on stage."

• have

• has

• is having

• was

Answer explanation

A compound subject joined by 'and' (singer and guitarist) is plural, so it needs a plural verb. 'Have' is the correct plural verb form for a plural subject.

Complete the sentence to best combine these two ideas: "Skateboarding is fun. Rollerblading is fun."

• Skateboarding and rollerblading are

• Skateboarding is fun, and rollerblading is

• Skateboarding, rollerblading, is

• Skateboarding is fun but rollerblading is

Answer explanation

To combine these sentences efficiently, create a compound subject ('Skateboarding and rollerblading') and use a plural verb ('are') to agree with it.

Identify the complete subject in the following sentence: "The new student with the cool backpack, along with her friends, walked to the cafeteria."

• The new student with the cool backpack

• The new student

• The new student with the cool backpack, along with her friends

• student

Answer explanation

The simple subject is 'student,' and the complete subject includes all its modifiers ('The,' 'new,' 'with the cool backpack'). The phrase 'along with her friends' is an interrupter, not part of the subject.