Subject and Predicate

In English grammar, a sentence is divided into two main parts: the subject and the predicate. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something in the sentence. It usually appears before the predicate and tells us what or who the sentence is about. The predicate, on the other hand, tells us what the subject is doing or describes its state of being. It includes the verb and everything that follows. Understanding the roles of the subject and predicate helps us build clear and effective sentences.

What is a Subject?

A subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action in a sentence or about which something is stated. It typically appears before the verb and identifies who or what is doing the action or who or what is being described. For example, in the sentence “The teacher explains the lesson,” “the teacher” is the subject because the teacher is performing the action of explaining

What is a Predicate?

A predicate is the part of a sentence or clause that tells us what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and all other details that describe what is going on. For instance, in the sentence “The cat sleeps on the mat,” “sleeps on the mat” is the predicate, which tells us what the cat is doing. Essentially, the predicate provides information about the action that the subject is involved in or the state of being of the subject.

Types of Subject and Predicate

Types of Subject

1. Simple Subject: This is the main word or word group that tells who or what the sentence is about. For example, in the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” “fox” is the simple subject.
2. Complete Subject: This includes the simple subject and any words related to it. Using the previous example, “The quick brown fox” is the complete subject.
3. Compound Subject: When a sentence has two or more subjects that share the same verb, it is called a compound subject. For instance, in “The cat and the dog sleep,” both “cat” and “dog” are subjects doing the same action.

Types of Predicate

1. Simple Predicate: This is the verb or verb phrase that tells something about the subject. In the sentence “The children play in the park,” “play” is the simple predicate.
2. Complete Predicate: This includes the verb and all the words that relate to it, which give more information about the subject’s actions or state of being. From the same sentence, “play in the park” is the complete predicate.
3. Compound Predicate: A compound predicate occurs when two or more verbs or verb phrases share the same subject. For example, in “She writes and edits every day,” “writes and edits” are both actions performed by the subject.

Examples of Subject and Predicate in Sentences

Examples of Subjects in Sentences

1. Birds chirp loudly in the morning.
2. The dog barks at strangers.
3. She dances gracefully.
4. Trains often arrive late.
5. The teacher explains the lesson.
6. Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius.
7. The car broke down on the highway.
8. Tom plays basketball on weekends.
9. The clock stopped working.
10. The computer is very fast.
11. The old man across the street often sits on his porch.
12. All the students in the classroom are attentive.
13. The noisy neighbors finally moved out.
14. The tall and handsome actor received an award.
15. A glass of water sits on the table.
16. John and Mary are planning a trip.
17. The cat and the dog seem to get along well.
18. My brother and I went hiking.
19. The sun sets beautifully by the beach.
20. He often writes poems.
21. The leaves on the tree turn bright colors in autumn.
22. The baker makes fresh bread daily.
23. The gardener tends to the plants.
24. The books on the shelf are dusty.
25. The engine roars to life.
26. Fish swim in the pond.
27. The teacher and the students engage in a lively discussion.
28. Computers have become essential in daily life.
29. The painter captures stunning landscapes.
30. The wind and rain swept through the town.
31. The singer captivated the audience.

Examples of Predicates in Sentences

1. Birds chirp loudly in the morning.
2. The dog barks at strangers.
3. She dances gracefully.
4. Trains often arrive late.
5. The teacher explains the lesson.
6. Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius.
7. The car broke down on the highway.
8. Tom plays basketball on weekends.
9. The clock stopped working.
10. The computer is very fast.
11. The old man across the street often sits on his porch.
12. All the students in the classroom are attentive.
13. The noisy neighbors finally moved out.
14. The tall and handsome actor received an award.
15. A glass of water sits on the table.
16. John and Mary are planning a trip.
17. The cat and the dog seem to get along well.
18. My brother and I went hiking.
19. The sun sets beautifully by the beach.
20. He often writes poems.
21. The leaves on the tree turn bright colors in autumn.
22. The baker makes fresh bread daily.
23. The gardener tends to the plants.
24. The books on the shelf are dusty.
25. The engine roars to life.
26. Fish swim in the pond.
27. The teacher and the students engage in a lively discussion.
28. Computers have become essential in daily life.
29. The painter captures stunning landscapes.
30. The wind and rain swept through the town.
31. The singer captivated the audience.

Examples of Subject and Predicate for Kids

1. The cat purrs softly.
   • Subject: The cat
   • Predicate: purrs softly
2. Birds fly high in the sky.
   • Subject: Birds
   • Predicate: fly high in the sky
3. My teacher teaches us math.
   • Subject: My teacher
   • Predicate: teaches us math
4. The flowers are blooming.
   • Subject: The flowers
   • Predicate: are blooming
5. Dogs bark loudly.
   • Subject: Dogs
   • Predicate: bark loudly
6. The sun sets in the evening.
   • Subject: The sun
   • Predicate: sets in the evening
7. Our car goes very fast.
   • Subject: Our car
   • Predicate: goes very fast
8. The stars twinkle at night.
   • Subject: The stars
   • Predicate: twinkle at night
9. Elephants have big ears.
   • Subject: Elephants
   • Predicate: have big ears
10. The book lies on the table.
    • Subject: The book
    • Predicate: lies on the table

1.Sample Subject and Predicate

3. General Subjects and Predicates

How to Use Subject and Predicate

Tips for Using Subject and Predicate

1. Keep Subject and Predicate Close: Aim to keep your subject and predicate close together to avoid confusing sentence constructions. This helps maintain clarity and focus in your writing.
2. Start with Simple Structures: When learning or teaching grammar, begin with simple subject-predicate structures before introducing more complex sentences with additional elements like modifiers or clauses.
3. Vary Sentence Length and Structure: Mix short sentences with longer, more complex ones to make your writing more interesting. Use compound subjects or predicates to vary the structure and add depth.
4. Check for Agreement: Always ensure that your subject and predicate agree in number and tense. This agreement is crucial for creating grammatically correct sentences.
5. Use Active Voice: Whenever possible, use active voice as it makes sentences clearer and more direct by showing who is performing the action.
6. Practice Identifying: Practice by identifying subjects and predicates in sentences you read. This will help you understand how they are used in different contexts.
7. Experiment with Inversions: Experiment with sentence inversions, especially in questions or for emphasis. For example, instead of saying “The chef cooked the meal,” you might say, “Was the meal cooked by the chef?”