Name Grammar

1.1.1

The Subject of a Simple Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that tells a complete thought. The subject
of a simple sentence tells whom or what the sentence is about.
The subject can be one word or more than one word. The complete
subject includes all the words in the subject.
My grandmother was born in Michigan.
A simple subject has a single subject that completes the action in a
sentence. A compound subject have two or more subjects joined by a
coordinating conjunction.
My brother and his friend went to the movie theater.

> Write the complete subject of each simple sentence. Identify whether the
subject is simple or compound.

1.    Saturday is my birthday.
2.    My cousins and their parents live in New Jersey.
3.    The snow in the mountains was melting.
4.    My teacher and I like jazz.
5.    Louise and her puppy live a block away from me.
6.    The red notebook fell off the desk.
7.    Mint chocolate chip and vanilla are my favorite ice cream flavors.

8.    Max and his brother go to college in Maine.

9.    I really love science fiction movies.
10.    The kittens and their mother rolled around on the floor.

> Revisit your piece of writing. Edit the draft to make sure all subjects in a
simple sentence are used correctly.

Grade 3 • Simple Sentences Printable

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Name Grammar
1.1.2

The Predicate of a Simple Sentence

Every simple sentence has two parts—the subject and the

predicate.

The predicate is the part of a sentence that tells what the

subject does or is.

Matt rides his bike. A compound predicate has two or

more actions joined by a coordinating conjunction.
My cat runs and plays all day.

The simple predicate is the verb that shows the action. The
complete predicate includes all the words in the predicate.

> Write each simple predicate. Then underline the complete predicate.
If the sentence contains a compound predicate, write “compound.”

1.    Kyle eats a juicy apple.

2.    I sit and read under the tree.

3.    Loretta swims in the lake.

4.    My old dog sleeps all afternoon.

5.    Yvette painted and framed her favorite picture.

> Revisit your piece of writing. Edit the draft to make sure all predicates in
a simple sentence are used correctly.

Grade 3 • Simple Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.1.3

Sentence Fragments

A sentence is a group of words that tells a complete thought. It tells

who or what, and it tells an action or state of being. A sentence that
is not a complete thought is called a fragment.

Sentence: A woman drove her car to the grocery store.

Fragment: drove her car

> Write the group of words that will complete each sentence.

1.    The robin .
looked for worms   on the fence

2.    Alexander .
funny   is good at telling jokes

3.     takes tap dance lessons.

ran away  Johanna

4.     jumped to a lily pad.

Two small frogs   hopped along

5.    Mrs. Tartt .
kind   drove us home from school

> Revisit your piece of writing. Edit the draft to make sure all subjects in a
simple sentence are used correctly.

Grade 3 • Simple Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.1.5

Connect to Writing: Using Simple Sentences

> Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Read the following paragraph about a girl and her cat. Look for any revisions that should
be made. Then answer the questions that follow.

(1) Rhonda has a cat. (2) Loves to eat fish treats. (3) The cat has a toy
mouse. (4) He likes to chase it around the living room. (5) This makes
Rhonda laugh. (6) Her cat also sleeps a lot. (7) The cat her lap. (8) He
purrs when he sleeps.

1. Which of the following is not a complete sentence?

A. Rhonda has a cat.

B. Loves to eat fish treats.
C. The cat has a toy mouse.
D. He likes to chase it around the living room.

2. Which of the following is not a complete sentence?

A. This makes Rhonda laugh.

B. Her cat also sleeps a lot.
C. The cat her lap.
D. He purrs when he sleeps.

> Do you have a pet? If not, what kind of pet would you like? Write two or three
sentences about your pet or one you would like to have.

Grade 3 • Simple Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.