Understanding subjects and predicates is fundamental to mastering English grammar. Every complete sentence in English is built from two essential parts:

Understanding subjects and predicates is fundamental to mastering English grammar. Every complete sentence in English is built from two essential parts: the subject and the predicate. While this may seem simple at first glance, a deep dive into these components reveals a rich structure that governs sentence construction, meaning, and clarity. In this essay, we will explore what subjects and predicates are, their types, functions, variations, and provide examples, tips, and exercises for mastery.

1. What is a Subject?

The subject of a sentence tells us who or what the sentence is about. It is the part of the sentence that performs the action or is described by the predicate. Without a subject, a sentence cannot convey a complete thought.

1.1 Types of Subjects

Simple Subject:
The main word or words in the subject, usually a noun or pronoun.

Example:

The cat sleeps on the mat.

She is reading a book.

Compound Subject:
When two or more subjects are joined by a conjunction like and or or.

Example:

John and Mary went to the market.

The dog or the cat will have to stay outside.

Complete Subject:
Includes the simple subject and all its modifiers.

Example:

The tall man in the black coat is my uncle.

Here, “man” is the simple subject, and “the tall” and “in the black coat” are modifiers.

2. What is a Predicate?

The predicate of a sentence tells us what the subject does or what happens to the subject. It includes the verb and all the words related to it, describing the action, state, or condition of the subject.

2.1 Types of Predicates

Simple Predicate:
The main verb or verb phrase in a sentence that expresses the action or state of being.

Example:

The cat sleeps.

She is reading.

Complete Predicate:
Includes the verb and all the words that modify or complete its meaning.

Example:

The cat sleeps on the warm windowsill every afternoon.

She is reading a fascinating novel about space exploration.

3. How Subjects and Predicates Work Together

A sentence cannot exist without a subject and a predicate. Together, they express a complete thought.

Example:

The dog barked loudly.

Subject: The dog

Predicate: barked loudly

Example:

My friends and I are planning a trip to the mountains.

Subject: My friends and I

Predicate: are planning a trip to the mountains

The subject identifies the “who” or “what,” and the predicate explains the action, condition, or description related to it.

4. Types of Sentences Based on Subjects and Predicates
4.1 Simple Sentences

A sentence with one independent clause. It has a single subject and a predicate.

Example:

The children played in the park.

4.2 Compound Sentences

A sentence with two or more independent clauses connected by conjunctions. Each clause has its own subject and predicate.

Example:

The sun set, and the stars appeared.

4.3 Complex Sentences

A sentence with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Example:

I stayed home because it was raining.

Subject of main clau

1. Subjects and Predicates

2. Subjects and Predicates
•The complete subject includes all the
words in the subject of a sentence.
•The complete predicate includes all the
words in the predicate of a sentence.
•Charles Dickens’s novels are still popular.
•My English teacher wrote an article.
•Complete Subject Complete Predicate

3. Subjects and Predicates
•The simple subject is the main word or
word group in the complete subject.
•The simple subject is usually a noun or
pronoun.
•The young Charles Dickens wrote many
articles.

4. Subjects and Predicates
•The simple predicate is the main word or
word group in the complete predicate.
•The simple predicate is always a verb
•The young Charles Dickens wrote many
articles.

5. Identifying Complete Subjects and
Complete Predicates
•Can you find the complete subject and the
complete predicate?
1. The purple mountains appeared misty
in the distance.
2. Emilio cheered for his sister’s
teammates.
3. A big raccoon crawled out of the hole.
4. Ms. Hayashida is our math teacher.

6. Identifying Complete Subjects and
Complete Predicates
1. The purple mountains appeared misty
in the distance.
2. Emilio cheered for his sister’s
teammates.
3. A big raccoon crawled out of the hole.
4. Ms. Hayashida is our math teacher.

7. Identifying Complete Subjects and
Complete Predicates
5. I like strawberry shortcake with cream.
6. The Snake River flows through
southern Idaho.
7. You seem sad today.
8. This dictionary has 1,559 pages.
9. The young detective searched the
room for clues.
10. The fresh yellow butter melted.

8. Identifying Complete Subjects and
Complete Predicates
5. I like strawberry shortcake with cream.
6. The Snake River flows through
southern Idaho.
7. You seem sad today.
8. This dictionary has 1,559 pages.
9. The young detective searched the
room for clues.
10. The fresh yellow butter melted.

9. Simple Subjects and Simple
Predicates
•Can you find the simple subject and the simple
predicate?
1. Thirteen pink candles decorated Lisa’s birthday cake.
2. This collie’s name is Misty Moonlight.
3. Some teachers assign homework every day.
4. The boys’ soccer team lost only one game this season.
5. His bushy beard stretched to his waistline.

10. Simple Subjects and Simple
Predicates
1. Thirteen pink candles decorated Lisa’s birthday cake.
2. This collie’s name is Misty Moonlight.
3. Some teachers assign homework every day.
4. The boys’ soccer team lost only one game this season.
5. His bushy beard stretched to his waistline.

11. Simple Subjects and Simple
Predicates
6. Daffodils swayed in the brisk breeze.
7. Jefferson Middle School has a new
principal.
8. That tall blond boy plays a trombone in
the band.
9. My library book disappeared.
10.Computer games give me many hours of
fun and entertainment.

12. Simple Subjects and Simple
Predicates
6. Daffodils swayed in the brisk breeze.
7. Jefferson Middle School has a new
principal.
8. That tall blond boy plays a trombone in
the band.
9. My library book disappeared.
10.Computer games give me many hours of
fun and entertainment.

13. Identifying the Subject
•In most sentences, the subject comes
before the predicate.
•Washington Irving described New York in his stories.
•Subject Predicate

14. Identifying the Subject
•Questions begin with part or all of the
predicate. The subject comes next,
followed by the rest of the predicate.
•Are people still reading his stories?
•P S P

15. Identifying the Subject
•To locate the subject of a question,
rearrange the words to from a statement.
•Did Irving write many funny stories?
• Irving did write many funny
stories.
•P S P

16. Identifying the Subject
•The predicate also comes before the
subject in sentences with inverted order and
in declarative sentences that begin with
Here is, Here are, There is, and There are.
•Over the paper racedIrving’s pen.
•There is Irving’s manuscript.
•PS

17. Identifying the Subject
•In imperative sentences, the subject is
usually not stated. The predicate is the
entire sentence. The word you is
understood to be the subject
•(You)Look for the author’s name.
•S P

18. Identifying the subject
•Can you identify the complete subject?
1. Does your brother deliver the morning
paper?
2. Into the tall grass crawled the little garter
snake.
3. Call me this afternoon at three o’clock.
4. Has the mail arrived?
5. The Beatles introduced many popular songs.

19. Identifying the subject
•Underline the complete subject. Write (You)
before any sentence with an understood subject.
1. Does your brother deliver the morning
paper?
2. Into the tall grass crawled the little garter
snake.
3. (You) Call me this afternoon at three o’clock.
4. Has the mail arrived?
5. The Beatles introduced many popular songs.

20. Identifying the subject
6. Here is a famous painting by Grant
Wood.
7. From the bottom of the sea rose a
hideous monster.
8. Define the words numerator and
denominator.
9. A personal computer is a useful tool
for a writer.
10. There are rules for this game.

21. Identifying the subject
6. Here is a famous painting by Grant
Wood.
7. From the bottom of the sea rose a
hideous monster.
8. (You) Define the words numerator and
denominator.
9. A personal computer is a useful tool
for a writer.
10. There are rules for this game.