Mr. Weed's Review Lesson 5: Compound Subjects and Predicates

Compound Predicate

A sentence that has two or more simple predicates, or verbs, that have the same subject. The simple predicates are connected by and, but, or, or nor.

Compound Subject

A sentence that has two or more simple subjects that have the same predicate. The subjects are joined by and, or, or nor.

Compound Subject (EXAMPLE)

BOTH PLANTS AND MINERALS enrich the soil.

Compound Predicate (EXAMPLE)

Crops WITHER AND DIE in the poor soil.

Compound Predicate (EXAMPLE)

Erosions DESTROYS AND WASTES valuable land.

Compound Subject (EXAMPLE)

NEITHER THE SOIL NOR ITS NUTRIENTS last forever.

Compound Subject (EXAMPLE)

RANGERS AND LOGGERS study forest conditions.

Compound Predicate (EXAMPLE)

Rangers EXPLORE AND PROTECT the forest.

Compound Predicate (EXAMPLE)

Scientists OBSERVE AND STUDY the effects of erosion.

Compound Subject (EXAMPLE)

TREES AND GRASS hold the soil in place.

Compound Predicate (EXAMPLE)

The wind LIFTS AND BLOWS away the topsoil.

Compound Subject (EXAMPLE)

WINDS AND RAIN sometimes harm the earth.

Compound Subjects joined by "or" or "nor"

When the compound subject is joined by "or" or "nor" the predicate agrees with the simple subject closest to it.

Compound Subject joined by "and" or "both..and"

When two simple subjects are joined by "and" or "both...and" treats the compound subject as plural and uses the plural form of the verb.