Compound Subjects

Compound subjects are very easy.

The simplest examples are sometimes so easy that it is tempting to skip reviewing them.

However, if we start with very easy examples we can build up to very complicated examples.

Then you will be glad you know just what to do.

 A-1   Analyzing an Easy Sentence with a Compound Subject

This is a pretty short sentence:

DjoserNickname "Dozer" and SnefruNickname "Sniff You" ruled Egypt during the Old Kingdom.

Only one thing makes this sentence hard. It has names that are unusual. So let's talk about that.

What to do with names that are hard to pronounce:
Think of a nickname that forms a vivid picture in your mind.
The nickname for "Djoser" could be "Dozer" (as in bulldozer). That's easy to imagine. (Scroll over the underlined version of "Djoser" to see the hint.)
The nickname for "Snefru" could be "Sniff You." That makes me think of my dog. (Scroll over the underlined version of "Snefru" to see the hint.)
A nickname will always be helpful.
Sometimes that will be all you need.
Sometimes you will need to learn the real pronunciation...
...if you keep seeing the same name in a variety of places,
...or if you need to pronounce the name in public.
The nicknames you make up will always be helpful to you.
They will be confusing or silly to other people.
If you really need to know how to pronounce a difficult name:
Look up the pronunciation online.
Find it in a dictionary.
Ask an adult who is familiar with ancient history or good with dictionaries.

Let's get back to the sentence:

Djoser and Snefru Subjects ruled Egypt Predicate during the Old KingdomPredicate Modifier--tells when it happened.

This sentence tells about two people. Each of the two people did the same thing. The names for the two people are the "subjects" of the sentence.

The names are joined by a conjunction.

What they did is the "predicate."

The sentence also tells you when it happened. This modifies the predicate, so we can call it a "predicate modifier."

We can give each subject (Djoser and Snefru) its own predicate and predicate modifier like this:

Djoser Subject ruled Egypt Predicate during the Old KingdomPredicate Modifier--tells when it happened. Snefru Subject ruled Egypt Predicate during the Old KingdomPredicate Modifier--tells when it happened.

Now you have two very simple sentences.
Ready to try that yourself?

 C-1   Composition Example 1

The HyksosNickname "Hikers" took over Egypt. The LibyansNickname "Librarians" took over Egypt.

The HyksosNickname "Hikers" and the LibyansNickname "Librarians" took over Egypt.


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 A-2   Analysis Example 2

The LibyansNickname "Librarians", the PersiansNickname "Purses", and the Greeks conquered Egypt.

The LibyansNickname "Librarians" conquered Egypt. The PersiansNickname "Purses" conquered Egypt. The Greeks conquered Egypt.


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 C-2   Composition Example 2

AhmoseNickname "A Moose" ruled Egypt during the New Kingdom. Queen HatshepsutNickname "Hat Sheep Suit" ruled Egypt during the New Kingdom. TutankhamenNickname "King Tut" ruled Egypt during the New Kingdom.

AhmoseNickname "A Moose", Queen HatshepsutNickname "Hat Sheep Suit", and TutankhamenNickname "King Tut" ruled Egypt during the New Kingdom.


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 A-3   Analysis Example 3

Narmer and SnefruNickname "Sniff You" were important kings in early Egypt.

Narmer was an important king in early Egypt. SnefruNickname "Sniff You" was an important king in early Egypt.


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 C-3   Composition Example 3

Clay was an important material in ancient Egypt. Reeds were an important material in ancient Egypt. PapyrusPronounced "puh PIE russ" was an important material in ancient Egypt.

Clay, reeds, and papyrusPronounced "puh PIE russ" were important materials in ancient Egypt.


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 A-4   Analysis Example 4

Narmer and Queen MerneithNickname "Mermaid" were important rulers in early Egypt.

Narmer was an important ruler in early Egypt. Queen MerneithNickname "Mermaid" was also an important ruler in early Egypt.


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 C-4   Composition Example 4

IntefsNickname "Into Elfs" was an important pharaoh during the Middle Kingdom. MentuhotepsNickname "Minty Hots" was also an important pharaoh during the Middle Kingdom.

IntefsNickname "Into Elfs" and MentuhotepsNickname "Minty Hots" were important pharaohs during the Middle Kingdom.


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 A-5   Analysis Example 5

DjoserNickname "Dozer" and SnefruNickname "Sniff You" were two of the earliest Egyptian kings to build pyramids.

DjoserNickname "Dozer" was one of the earliest Egyptian kings to build pyramids. SnefruNickname "Sniff You" was another of the earliest Egyptian kings to build pyramids.


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 C-5   Composition Example 5

TaharqaNickname "T Hair" was one of the pharaohs defeated by the AssyriansNickname "Aces". TanuatamunNickname "Tan You" (like the Sun) was another of the pharaohs defeated by the AssyriansNickname "Aces".

TaharqaNickname "T Hair" and TanuatamunNickname "Tan You" (like the Sun) were two of the pharaohs defeated by the AssyriansNickname "Aces".


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 A-6   Analysis Example 6

SneferuNickname "Sniff You" (like my dog) and CheopsPronounced "Key ops" each built several pyramids.

SneferuNickname "Sniff You" (like my dog) built several pyramids. CheopsPronounced "Key ops" also built several pyramids.


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 C-6   Composition Example 6

ThutmosisNickname "Tut Moose" I fought many important battles. RamsesPronounced "Ram Sees" II also fought many important battles.

ThutmosisNickname "Tut Moose" I and RamsesPronounced "Ram Sees" II each fought many important battles.


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 A-7   Analysis Example 7

AkhenatenNickname "Awk Hen", TutankhamenNickname "King Tut", and AyePronounced "Eye" were kings whose names were not written in Egypt's official records.

AkhenatenNickname "Awk Hen" was a king whose name was not written in Egypt's official records. TutankhamenNickname "King Tut" was a king whose name was not written in Egypt's official records. AyePronounced "Eye" was a king whose name was not written in Egypt's official records.


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 C-7   Composition Example 7

"Horus, Strong Bull, Beloved of Truth" was one of the five names for RamsesPronounced "Ram Sees" the Great. "Protector of Egypt Who Subdues Foreign Lands" was another of the five names for Ramses the Great.

"Horus, Strong Bull, Beloved of Truth" and "Protector of Egypt Who Subdues Foreign Lands" were two of the five names for RamsesPronounced "Ram Sees" the Great.


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 A-8   Analysis Example 8

SumerPronounced "Sue mer" and BabyloniaIf you don't know this word, make up your own nickname for it. were two of the great powers of Mesopotamia.

SumerPronounced "Sue mer" was one of the great powers of Mesopotamia. BabyloniaIf you don't know this word, make up your own nickname for it. was another of the great powers of Mesopotamia.


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 C-8   Composition Example 8

Memphis was one of the capital cities of ancient Egypt. Thebes was one of the capital cities of ancient Egypt.

Memphis and Thebes were two of the capital cities of ancient Egypt.


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