Sentence Anatomy Slides Grammar Blueprint Language Arts Mastery
Sentence Anatomy
Dissecting Subjects & Predicates in Simple and Compound Sentences
Identify the Subject (Who / What)
Identify the Predicate (Action / Being)
Connect Clauses with FANBOYS
Part 01
The Subject: The Hero of the Clause
Core Question
WHO or WHAT is the sentence about?
The subject is the naming part of the clause. It carries the primary noun or pronoun doing or experiencing something.
Anatomy in Action
The clever astronaut repaired the solar array.
Complete Subject: The clever astronaut
Simple Subject: astronaut
Test trick: Find the action first, then ask "Who or what is doing it?"
Part 02
The Predicate: The Action Engine
Core Question
WHAT does the subject do, say, or experience?
The predicate contains the verb and tells what the subject is doing or what state of being it has.
Anatomy in Action
The rover scanned the red crater floor.
Complete Predicate: scanned the red crater floor.
Simple Predicate: scanned
A predicate always starts with a verb or verb phrase!
Structure 01
Simple Sentence = One Independent Clause
A simple sentence contains exactly one complete thought with one subject-predicate relationship.
Example A (Single Subject & Predicate)
The curious scientist studied the fossil.
1 Subject + 1 Predicate = 1 Complete Thought
Example B (Compound Subject)
Maya and Leo built the telescope.
Still 1 clause! Maya and Leo share one predicate.
Don't be fooled by length: simple sentences can have compound subjects or compound verbs!
Structure 02
Compound Sentences: Joining Two Full Clauses
[Clause 1: Subject + Predicate] + , COMMA + FANBOYS + [Clause 2: Subject + Predicate]
F For
A And
N Nor
B But
O Or
Y Yet
S So
The rocket launched, and the spectators cheered loudly.
Both sides could stand alone as complete sentences!
Formula Check: If both sides don't have their own subject and predicate, it's NOT a compound sentence.
Practice Lab
Dissect the Sentence Together
Analyze This Sentence:
"The engine roared to life, but the wheels remained stuck in deep sand."
1. Find Subjects
Clause 1: The engine the wheels
2. Find Predicates
Clause 1: roared to life remained stuck...
3. Classification
Connected by , but COMPOUND
Ready for your individual lab worksheet challenge! Time to Test Your Skills →
Sentence Anatomy Worksheet Grammar Architecture Lab
Sentence Anatomy Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Score:
Subject: Who/what the sentence is about (noun/pronoun).
Predicate: What the subject does/is (contains verb).
Simple Sentence: 1 complete thought (1 independent clause).
Compound Sentence: 2 clauses joined by comma + FANBOYS.
A Part A: Simple Sentence Dissection
Single underline = Complete Subject | Double underline = Complete Predicate
Underline the complete subject with one line. Underline the complete predicate with two lines. Then write the simple subject and simple predicate.
1. The deep-sea submarine plunged into the cold oceanic trench.
Simple Subject: Simple Predicate:
2. Enthusiastic young astronomers photographed the rare solar eclipse.
Simple Subject: Simple Predicate:
3. A sudden power surge shut down the robotics lab yesterday.
Simple Subject: Simple Predicate:
B Part B: Complete Subject & Predicate Extraction
Separate each sentence into its two core halves
Write the Complete Subject and Complete Predicate for each sentence in the table.
Sentence
Complete Subject (Who / What)
Complete Predicate (Action / State)
The fierce winter storm knocked down power lines.
Every student in class completed the lab project.
The solar panels on the roof generated electricity.
A family of black bears wandered through the forest.
Sentence Anatomy Lab • Student Practice Document Page 1 of 2
Sentence Anatomy Lab | Compound Sentences & Clause Analysis
FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
C Part C: Dissecting Compound Sentences
Identify subjects and predicates in both independent clauses
Circle the coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). Then write the subject and predicate for each clause.
8. The heavy rain flooded the field, so the referee canceled the match.
Clause 1 Subject:
Clause 1 Predicate:
Clause 2 Subject:
Clause 2 Predicate:
Sentence Anatomy Answer Key Teacher Edition ANSWER KEY
Sentence Anatomy Key & Guide
Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-L.4.1 / L.5.1 / L.6.1
Total Points: 35 Points
Key Diagnostic: Watch for compound predicates mistaken for compound sentences (Ex: #10).
Punctuation Rule: A comma is required before FANBOYS only when joining two full independent clauses.
A Part A: Simple Sentence Dissection (Answers)
Single = Subject | Double = Predicate
Model solutions showing the split between complete subject and complete predicate:
1. The deep-sea submarine plunged into the cold oceanic trench.
Simple Subject: submarine Simple Predicate: plunged
2. Enthusiastic young astronomers photographed the rare solar eclipse.
Simple Subject: astronomers Simple Predicate: photographed
3. A sudden power surge shut down the robotics lab yesterday.
Simple Subject: surge Simple Predicate: shut down
B Part B: Complete Subject & Predicate Extraction (Answers)
Complete Halves Key
Sentence
Complete Subject (Who / What)
Complete Predicate (Action / State)
The fierce winter storm knocked down power lines.
The fierce winter storm
knocked down power lines.
Every student in class completed the lab project.
Every student in class
completed the lab project.
The solar panels on the roof generated electricity.
The solar panels on the roof
generated electricity.
A family of black bears wandered through the forest.
A family of black bears
wandered through the forest.
Sentence Anatomy Lab • Teacher Answer Key Page 1 of 2
Teacher Reference | Compound Sentences & Clause Analysis Solutions
Grading Rubric & Notes
C Part C: Compound Sentences Dissected
Dual Clause Breakdown
8. The heavy rain flooded the field, so the referee canceled the match.
Clause 1 Subject: The heavy rain
Clause 2 Subject: the referee
