Compound Subject

Compound Subject

Need help understanding the compound subject? Check out our page and find compound subject examples, learn to define compound subject and learn how to weave a complete subject into your own writing.

A sentence sometimes has more than one subject and verb. When it does, the sentence part is known as a compound part.

What Is a Compound Subject?

A compound subject consists of two or more simple subjects that share a verb or verb phrase. These subjects are joined by a conjunction such as and, or, or nor. Because a compound subject consists only of simple subjects, it does not include any of the words that modify the subjects.

Compound Subject Examples:

What is a Compound Subject?

(Who bought raffle tickets at the fair? Dominique and Tyler bought raffle tickets at the fair. Dominique and Tyler make up the compound subject.)

Ryan or Ellie will call us when they get to town.

(Who will call us when they get to town? Ryan or Ellie will call us when they get to town. Ryan and Ellie make up the compound subject.)

Orange tables and yellow chairs make the patio look colorful.

(What makes the patio look colorful? Orange tables and yellow chairs make the patio look colorful. Tables and chairs make up the compound subject.)

Compound Subject Examples

(What is expected today? Rain, wind, and low temperatures are expected today. Rain, wind, and temperatures make up the compound subject.)

The cows and sheep wandered freely across the farm.

(What wandered freely across the farm? The cows and sheep wandered freely across the farm. Cows and sheep make up the compound subject.)

Bethany and Marcus are going skiing with us tomorrow.

(Who is going skiing with us tomorrow? Bethany and Marcus are going skiing with us tomorrow. Bethany and Marcus make up the compound subject.)

Neither Phil nor I will be able to attend the wedding.

(Who will be unable to attend the wedding? Phil and I will be unable to attend the wedding. Phil and I make up the compound subject.)

Apples, oranges, and pears filled the fruit basket.

(What filled the fruit basket? Apples, oranges, and pears filled the fruit basket. Apples, oranges, and pears make up the compound subject.)

Either squash or cauliflower would make a good side dish for dinner.

(What would make a good dish for dinner? Either squash or cauliflower would make a good side dish for dinner. Squash and cauliflower make up the compound subject.)

Biking, hiking, and camping are my favorite outdoor activities.

(What are my favorite outdoor activities? Biking, hiking, and camping are my favorite outdoor activities. Biking, hiking, and camping make up the compound subject.)

Gwen or Juanita will lead the meeting today.

(Who will lead the meeting today? Gwen or Juanita will lead the meeting today. Gwen and Juanita make up the compound subject.)

The driving snow and darkness made driving challenging.

(What made driving challenging? The driving snow and darkness made driving challenging. Snow and darkness make up the compound subject.)

Why Are Compound Subjects Important?

By combining subjects that share a verb or verb phrase, compound subjects help writers avoid repetition and make their writing more concise.

Example:

Original: Zoe will meet us at the movie theater. Olivia will also meet us at the movie theater.
Revised: Zoe and Olivia will meet us at the movie theater.

Related Topics:
Predicate
Simple Predicate
Compound Predicate
Complete Predicate
Predicate Nominative
Predicate Adjective
Simple Subject
Subject Complement
Complete Subject
All Grammar Terms