Compound Predicate

A subject may have more than one predicate, as in the sentence below.

Rosa ran and jumped.

In this sentence, the subject, "Rosa," has two predicates: "ran" and "jumped." We call this a compound predicate.

Below are more examples of sentences with compound predicates:

  • The Bill of Rights defines and safeguards fundamental individual rights. (The subject, the Bill of Rights, has two predicates: "defines" and "safeguards.")
  • Miss Hoop shoots and scores. (The subject, Miss Hoop, has two predicates: "shoots" and "scores.")
  • A canary chirps and sings. (The subject, canary, has two predicates: "chirps" and "sings.")
  • The crowd shouts and cheers. (The subject, crowd, has two predicates: "shouts" and "cheers.")
  • Carl sneaks out, closes the door, and leaves the building. (The subject, Carl, has three predicates: "sneaks," "closes," and "leaves.")

Examples

Write the compound predicates from each sentence.

  1. Mr. Cruz boards the plane, stows his luggage, and finds his seat.
  2. Meg will arrive early, decorate the classroom, and serve the guests.
  3. Clancy slipped in the mud, skinned his knees, and cried in pain.
  4. A little girl with curly hair smiled and introduced herself.
  5. Four beagle puppies frolic and wrestle in the yard.
  6. Most people notice and appreciate good manners.
  7. Gus fixed lunch, washed the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen.
  8. After school, Kim practices the piano, does her chores, and finishes her homework before dinner.
  9. Some students both like and dislike school.
  10. Kind Ms. Reed comforts and encourages fearful children.

Solutions

  1. The subject, Mr. Cruz, has three predicates: "boards," "stows," and "finds."
  2. The subject, Meg, has three predicates: "will arrive," "decorate," and "serve."
  3. The subject, Clancy, has three predicates: "slipped," "skinned," and "cried."
  4. The subject, girl, has two predicates: "smiled" and "introduced."
  5. The subject, puppies, has two predicates: "frolic" and "wrestle."
  6. The subject, people, has two predicates: "notice" and "appreciate."
  7. The subject, Gus, has three predicates: "fixed," "washed," and "cleaned."
  8. The subject, Kim, has three predicates: "practices," "does," and "finishes."
  9. The subject, students, has two predicates: "like" and "dislike."
  10. The subject, Ms. Reed, has two predicates: "comforts" and "encourages."