Understanding Subject and Predicate: A Comprehensive Guide
The subject and predicate are the two fundamental components of a sentence. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, while the predicate is the action or state of being that the subject is in. In this guide, we will explore the concept of subject and predicate, provide examples, and offer worksheets with answers to help you master this essential grammar skill.
What is a Subject?
The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action described by the predicate. It is the “who” or “what” that the sentence is about. The subject can be a person, place, thing, or idea.
📝 Note: A subject can be a noun, pronoun, or even a phrase or clause that functions as a noun.
Examples:
- In the sentence “The dog runs quickly,” “the dog” is the subject.
- In the sentence “She eats breakfast every morning,” “she” is the subject.
What is a Predicate?
The predicate is the part of the sentence that tells us what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. It is the action or state of being that the subject is in. The predicate can be a verb, a verb phrase, or a clause.
📝 Note: A predicate can be a single verb, a verb phrase, or even a clause that functions as a verb.
Examples:
- In the sentence “The dog runs quickly,” “runs quickly” is the predicate.
- In the sentence “She eats breakfast every morning,” “eats breakfast every morning” is the predicate.
Identifying Subject and Predicate: Worksheets
To help you practice identifying the subject and predicate in sentences, we have provided two worksheets below. Each worksheet contains 10 sentences, and you need to identify the subject and predicate in each sentence.
Worksheet 1
| Sentence | Subject | Predicate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The sun rises in the east. | ||
| 2. The cat purrs contentedly. | ||
| 3. The teacher grades papers all night. | ||
| 4. The baby laughs at the clown. | ||
| 5. The flowers bloom in the garden. | ||
| 6. The car drives down the street. | ||
| 7. The boy eats a sandwich for lunch. | ||
| 8. The dog wags its tail. | ||
| 9. The city never sleeps. | ||
| 10. The student studies for the exam. |
Answers
| Sentence | Subject | Predicate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The sun rises in the east. | The sun | rises in the east |
| 2. The cat purrs contentedly. | The cat | purrs contentedly |
| 3. The teacher grades papers all night. | The teacher | grades papers all night |
| 4. The baby laughs at the clown. | The baby | laughs at the clown |
| 5. The flowers bloom in the garden. | The flowers | bloom in the garden |
| 6. The car drives down the street. | The car | drives down the street |
| 7. The boy eats a sandwich for lunch. | The boy | eats a sandwich for lunch |
| 8. The dog wags its tail. | The dog | wags its tail |
| 9. The city never sleeps. | The city | never sleeps |
| 10. The student studies for the exam. | The student | studies for the exam |
Worksheet 2
| Sentence | Subject | Predicate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The company is expanding its operations. | ||
| 2. The weather forecast predicts rain. | ||
| 3. The new employee is very nervous. | ||
| 4. The tourists got lost in the city. | ||
| 5. The football team is winning the game. | ||
| 6. The teacher is explaining the lesson. | ||
| 7. The flowers are blooming in the garden. | ||
| 8. The company is hiring new staff. | ||
| 9. The student is studying for the exam. | ||
| 10. The city is preparing for the festival. |
Answers
| Sentence | Subject | Predicate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The company is expanding its operations. | The company | is expanding its operations |
| 2. The weather forecast predicts rain. | The weather forecast | predicts rain |
| 3. The new employee is very nervous. | The new employee | is very nervous |
| 4. The tourists got lost in the city. | The tourists | got lost in the city |
| 5. The football team is winning the game. | The football team | is winning the game |
| 6. The teacher is explaining the lesson. | The teacher | is explaining the lesson |
| 7. The flowers are blooming in the garden. | The flowers | are blooming in the garden |
| 8. The company is hiring new staff. | The company | is hiring new staff |
| 9. The student is studying for the exam. | The student | is studying for the exam |
| 10. The city is preparing for the festival. | The city | is preparing for the festival |
📝 Note: Remember to identify the complete predicate, including any objects or modifiers.
We hope these worksheets help you practice identifying the subject and predicate in sentences. Remember to review the answers carefully and try to apply this skill to your everyday writing and reading.
To wrap up, understanding the subject and predicate is essential for effective communication in writing and speaking. By mastering this skill, you will be able to construct clear and concise sentences that convey your message effectively.
In this guide, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the subject and predicate, including examples and worksheets with answers. We hope you find this resource helpful in your journey to improve your grammar skills.
What is the difference between a subject and a predicate?
+The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, while the predicate is the action or state of being that the subject is in.
How do I identify the subject and predicate in a sentence?
+To identify the subject and predicate, look for the noun or pronoun that performs the action described by the verb. The subject is usually the noun or pronoun that comes before the verb, while the predicate is the verb and any objects or modifiers that follow it.
What is the purpose of understanding the subject and predicate?
+Understanding the subject and predicate is essential for effective communication in writing and speaking. It helps you construct clear and concise sentences that convey your message effectively.
