What are the parts of a sentence? – a subject and predicate. Learn what they are, the definition of a subject and predicate, and their types in this article. Furthermore, look at the multiple examples given to clearly understand what a subject and predicate are.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Subject?
- Examples of Subject
- What Is a Predicate?
- Examples of Predicate
- Check Your Understanding of Subjects and Predicates
- Frequently Asked Questions on Subject and Predicate in English Grammar
What Is a Subject?
The term ‘subject’ refers to the doer of the action in a sentence. It is either a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a subject is defined as “a noun, noun phrase or pronoun representing the person or thing that performs the action of the verb (I in I sat down.), about which something is stated (the house in the house is very old) or, in a passive sentence, that is affected by the action of the verb (the tree in the tree was blown down in the storm)”.
Sentences can have more than one subject. It can either be a compound subject or two completely different subjects performing various actions in the same context. Unlike other sentences, imperative sentences do not require a subject to make sense. In addition to nouns, pronouns and noun phrases, gerunds and gerund phrases can also perform the role of subjects in sentences.
Examples of Subject
Go through the following sentences. The subject in each sentence has been underlined for your reference.
- Marina Beach is one of the famous beaches in South India.
- Sujith and Sonia are cousins.
- The girl staying opposite my house is working at Hindustan Unilever.
- Anish dances well, and his brother is a poet.
- We visited Hampi last week.
- Will Joey, Ross and Chandler come for dinner tonight?
- The final dance would be performed by the final-year students.
- Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen of England.
- It was raining yesterday.
- Can you help me?
What Is a Predicate?
A predicate contains the verb that represents the action done by the subject, the receiver of the action, other information about the subject, the verb or the time/place of the action and so on. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a predicate as “a part of a sentence containing a verb that makes a statement about the subject of the verb, such as went home in John went home.”
Predicates are of different types – they can be one-word predicates, short predicates, long predicates, or compound predicates. Take a look at the following examples for a clearer understanding. The predicates have been underlined for your reference.
Examples of Predicate
- We work from Monday to Friday.
- Krishna is my best friend.
- Nalini and her daughter go for a walk every morning.
- We were feeling hungry but continued working.
- My train starts from Coimbatore North Junction at 210:40 p.m.
- They had masala dosa for breakfast.
- The road to the airport has been blocked for weeks due to some construction work.
- The bear sat with his head bowed down.
- Niya, Diya and Riya went on a jeep safari.
- Dan’s laptop hasn’t been working since yesterday.
Check Your Understanding of Subjects and Predicates
Identify the subject and predicate in the following sentences.
1. A cat was sleeping under the parked car.
2. I received three new dresses for my birthday.
3. My son started walking today.
4. We had to wash our clothes.
5. I missed my bus yesterday.
6. They had gulab jamun for dessert.
7. She invited all her friends to her wedding.
8. Three children did not go on the field trip organised by the school.
9. The teacher asked the students to stay quiet.
10. It started raining around noon.
Check out the answers for the above exercise.
1. Subject – A cat
Predicate – Was sleeping under the parked car.
2. Subject – I
Predicate – Received three new dresses for my birthday.
3. Subject – My son
Predicate – Started walking today.
4. Subject – We
Predicate – Had to wash our clothes.
5. Subject – I
Predicate – Missed my bus yesterday.
6. Subject – They
Predicate – Had gulab jamun for dessert.
7. Subject – She
Predicate – Invited all her friends to her wedding.
8. Subject – Three children
Predicate – Did not go on the field trip organised by the school.
9. Subject – The teacher
Predicate – Asked the students to stay quiet.
10. Subject – It
Predicate – Started raining around noon.
Frequently Asked Questions on Subject and Predicate in English Grammar
What is a subject?
The term ‘subject’ refers to the doer of the action in a sentence. It is either a noun, a pronoun or a noun phrase.
What is the definition of a subject?
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a subject is defined as “a noun, noun phrase or pronoun representing the person or thing that performs the action of the verb (I in I sat down.), about which something is stated (the house in the house is very old) or, in a passive sentence, that is affected by the action of the verb (the tree in the tree was blown down in the storm)”.
Can a sentence have more than one subject and predicate?
A sentence can have more than one subject and predicate. It can either be a compound subject/predicate or two completely different subjects performing various actions in the same context.
What is a predicate?
A predicate contains the verb that represents the action done by the subject, the receiver of the action, other information about the subject, the verb or the time/place of the action and so on.
What are the types of predicates?
Predicates are of different types – they can be one-word predicates, short predicates, long predicates or compound predicates.
